The Beginning of a Supreme Stud

by Kevin Stoakes

    Having kept birds for 22 years of different species, in 1992/3 after exchanging 4 Glosters for a pair of Heck*s Grass Finches breed by myself, these birds turned out to be hens so I purchased some cocks and two additional pairs from a successful local breeder. Following the breeding season the breeder visited my bird room and showed a great deal of interest in one particular youngster, a blue corona hen, which promptly entered into the local cage bird society show. I stewarded at the show in the hope that I could learn something from an experienced judge. I was delighted to take the best novice award with the blue corona hen, having had 3 of the final 4 birds that were being considered for this award. I was even more delighted when the bird took top honors, to beat the best champion bird, for Best Gloster, even more to my surprise eventually gaining "Best Canary* in show. I was really starting to catch the Gloster bug!

Developing a Stud of Exhibition Glosters.
    I now needed to develop a stud that would produce birds to compete nationally. Successful breeding off many varieties, were to provide a base of experience that I thought would deal with any problem that could arise. Wrong!! For a bird that breeds so readily, the canary certainly produces more than it's fair share of problems. I set about producing a 5 year plan, aiming to progressively improve various aspects within my stud and setting reasonable target for exhibition results. The targets for the next couple of years were to produce birds well rounded but not too long and to get a few birds in the cards perhaps with the occasional class win at all Gloster shows. Only the most typey birds were kept for the first few years breeding, quickly followed by introduction of yellow feather years 2 and 4, success at novice level came fast, specials being taken at most shows. The move to champion status appeared daunting, so during my 4th novice year the champion section was studied very closely, identifying 2 breeders who were particularly strong in areas I needed to develop further. The first breeders birds were eventually integrated into my own line in year 2, i.e. after I had seen the young that they produced as they appeared to be quite similar in type and feather, who's birds would provide the quality of corona (length of feather and drop), whilst they were paired to my existing stock and maintaining the type that I already had. I also acquired birds from another source, realizing that these particular examples were not show birds and would need to be used to produce the desired characteristics that would eventually be introduce in a controlled manner into my own line, to try to reproduce the quality that they are renowned for. From these birds I was looking for quality of feather and crest. Occasional birds (including a yellow), were introduced to my existing stock. In the following 2 years, I purchased further birds from the same source. I have maintained a pure line ever since and currently 50% of my birds are that line. This would take at least 3 years, i.e. to 2nd year champion. The seconded breeder's birds were mainly kept separate, carefully introducing occasional yellows and buffs to refine my first line's feather quality. The second line continued to be developed alongside the first, perseverance being required to produce the required results. the quality was obviously in there, but producing good show birds took a few years, until they eventually stared to appear with the desired type and silky feather quality. The forth year as a champion produced birds from both lines which were repeatedly being considered for Best in Show awards. It's good to see the Gloster back on top were it belongs!

I shall be aiming to produce some cinnamons over the next 2 years and was looking forward to producing birds from the national champion. I had many ideas about which hens to pair to him and his brother, so I am certainly looking forward to the future. They are both cinnamon carriers, so the intention was to only pair them to buff feathered birds, i.e. not yellows or cinnamons, but a blue was included in my plans. As it turned out, the bird which was considered to have the best head characteristics for the Supreme Champion was a nicely rounded yellow, not particularly high in color, but a quality bird nevertheless. I have another cinnamon project which has now being ongoing for 3 years and will take another 2 years to complete, this involves progressively combing type, the cinnamon gene, color intensification and feather refinement.
*There is now the opportunity to promote the Gloster Canary whilst it is in the minds of aviculture world. We know what a great variety it is , but we need to educate and encourage others. Finally, I would like to wish you all a successful breeding season.

Yours in the Fancy,

Kevin

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