Copyright 2007 Cockatiel Foundation, Inc.
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ARTICLE
| When exhibitors put their mind to it, they can thoroughly prepare their cockatiels for exhibition. They feed them quality nutrition throughout the year that is reflected in their feather quality; they bathe their cockatiels repeatedly to improve feather texture and condition, and for those who breed, many attempt to use top bloodlines to improve the quality of their stock. However, one cannot stress enough that one of the most important areas of preparation for exhibiting cockatiels is show cage training. If a cockatiel is not comfortable in a show cage, or is not showing itself to its full advantage during its brief performance in front of the judge, it may be doomed no matter how exceptional a bird. It happens to all of us. How many times have we seen a truly wonderful exhibit turned back because it absolutely refused to perch? Or, we are frustrated to watch a bird climb back and forth, or all over the cage front, damaging tail or wing feathers, frightened by the noise of the unusual environment and thrashing about causing injury (at worst), or pulling its condition down by staining feathers with debris (at best)? Panel Judges are required to allow extra time to evaluate novice entries and many are sympathetic, attempting to help novice entries to perch within reasonable time. Perhaps the articles on show cage training that stand out most in my mind, were written by legendary authoress, Nancy A. Reed, author of “Cockatiels: Pets, Breeding & Show,” who won best cockatiel and the divisions Kellogg’s trophy at five consecutive National Cage Bird Shows among some very intense competition. Many were in awe of her original lines’ exceptional size, head qualities, “hawk-like” brows and full, “steamboat” crests. However, these teams were not only well conditioned, but they were perfectly show cage trained to boot! These cockatiels would stand perfectly at ease, comfortable, yet fearless and confident with a “I’m Number One!” attitude. When faced with a shyer, or reclining bird hugging the back of its show cage wall, or a self-assured, proud exhibit, which one would you choose? We all admire confidence. Nancy advocated exposing a show team to different sights and sounds than they would encounter in the aviary to prepare them for the unusual environment of the show season. We laughed with Nancy as we read of her antics dressing up with colorful clothing to donning a football helmet and other unusual attire to ready the birds for the unexpected sights, sounds, and commotion of travel and the show hall. We “aahhha-ed” at her secret suggestion of placing ping-pong balls at the bottom of show cages to train birds to perch up high, rather than sit awkwardly on the balls lining the floor. And, we “uh-huh-ed” in agreement when she suggested pinning spray millet up high to eat and entice resistant birds to stay perched. These and other stories helped many exhibitors in the early days. Another method used by old budgie breeders is to attach show cages to breeding pens for newly fledged cockatiels to explore. Lined with spray millet hanging outside doorways leading inside, these treats can entice young birds to explore inside show cages on their own. Young birds may even prefer to sleep inside an attached show cage overnight, which may remind them of a nest box. Young birds that grow up with show cages as a natural part of their environment become familiar and comfortable with them, and that is what helps win shows. Finally, never place birds in show cages and leave them there for days at a time. It is unnecessary, confining and can be unhealthy in the long run. Birds need to move and exercise to stay healthy long term. Just pop them in for an hour or so, no more than a few hours at a time, and keep up cage training well in advance of the show season. Once trained and comfortable with a show cage, most birds are at ease when re-introduced to the show cage again in future seasons. |
| "Providing Resources to the Cockatiel Community" The Cockatiel Foundation, founded in June 2007, began out of a growing need in the avicultural community to offer its members programs for pet owners, breeders and exhibitors, in addition to services never before addressed in the cockatiel community. CF is establishing a Cockatiel Adoption & Placement Program to hrlp in the placement and rehoming of cockatiels to new, permanent "forever" homes. CF offers a wealth of information on color genetics, mutations, and breeding research. CF is addressing the needs of our Youth Members in the CF Youth & Education Program developed for tomorrows' next generation of cockatiel afficionados. Please visit our unique LOST & FOUND Center to report and reunite birds with their owners! Joining the Foundation When you join the Foundation as a Member, you will receive many benefits, including the Cockatiel Chronicle and have access to the Members' Only Yahoo Group for chat, PHOTO CONTEST, Members' Articles & more! Please read about our Membership benefits and peruse the website. COME JOIN US! |
Cockatiel Foundation, Inc.
| SHOW CAGE TRAINING TIPS © 2006 LINDA S. RUBIN "All Rights Reserved" |
| Linda S. Rubin is an aviculturist, lecturer and avian educator of 30 years, with an international byline in avicultural magazines around the world and author of several books at www.CockatielsPlusParrots.com. She is the cockatiel expert columnist for Bird Talk’s website, BirdChannel.com, writes as an overseas columnist for Cage & Aviary Birds (United kingdom), and she serves on the board of directors as National Specialty Vice President for the American Federation of Aviculture, Inc. She is the founding president and genetics consultant of the Cockatiel Foundation, Inc. Linda is a certified panel judge for the Cockatiel Foundation, and the Society of Parrot Breeders & Exhibitors, judging shows throughout the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada since 1984. |
c. 2005 Linda S. Rubin
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