Breeding Exhibition Budgerigars – Training and Show Preparation Explained
The Competitive World of Exhibition Budgerigars
Executive Summary
In this comprehensive guide, featuring expert insights from Bob Wilson, we uncover what it truly takes to breed, train, and prepare champion show budgies. Whether you’re new to the hobby or an experienced breeder, this video dives deep into every stage of exhibition preparation — from record-keeping to final grooming before the big day.
The exhibition of budgerigars is a competitive, year-round hobby supported by a global network of clubs and national societies. Success in this field is not accidental; it is the result of a multi-faceted strategy that combines meticulous record-keeping, selective breeding, and an intensive, multi-stage preparation process. Key practices include maintaining detailed pedigrees and breeding statistics to identify positive and negative trends, and implementing a rigorous training and conditioning regimen that begins in the nestbox and culminates in the final days before a show. This systematic approach, which addresses heredity, training, physical conditioning, and detailed grooming, is essential for producing birds that meet the exacting standards of exhibition judges. The community aspect, characterized by mentorship and camaraderie, is also a vital component, providing breeders with the knowledge required for success.
The Budgerigar Show Circuit
The exhibition of budgerigars is a widespread and organized activity, moving beyond simple hobbyist breeding into a competitive discipline. Breeders are drawn to thousands of shows held annually across the globe.
Show Structure and Organization
- Types of Shows: Exhibitions are held as either dedicated Budgerigar Shows or as separate divisions within larger All-Bird Shows. The most prestigious events in the United States are The BAA Grand National and the ABS All American, which attract national and international participants.
- Judging Standard: Birds are judged against a “Standard” or “Ideal” model, typically approved by a national society.
- Show Season: While shows occur throughout the year, the primary season in the United States runs from May through November.
- Affiliation and Awards: Most clubs that sponsor shows are affiliated with national societies. These societies provide patronage in the form of awards for winning birds, which can include special medallions, plaques, rosettes, and certificates.
Competition Divisions and Classes
The competition is structured to provide a fair and progressive experience for breeders. In the United States, all birds must be bred and banded by the exhibitor, unless a specific “open” division is designated for purchased birds.
- Exhibitor Divisions: To encourage participation and development, exhibitors are separated by experience level.
- Novice
- Intermediate
- Champion
- Rare Varieties
- Junior (for children)
- Note: Some other countries also offer a “Beginner” division.
- Bird Classes: Within divisions, birds compete in specific classes determined by variety (e.g., Green Normals), sex (cocks and hens), and age (young birds banded in the current year).
- Progression of Awards: Winners advance through successive levels of competition. A bird first competes to win its class, then its section, and then its division. The division winners are then compared to determine the overall “Best In Show” awards. Judges in the U.S. often place the top ten birds in each division and in the overall show. Special awards are also common for the top three hens and the best young bird.
Community and Knowledge Sharing
A significant aspect of the hobby is the community and the sharing of knowledge. Events often feature social functions and educational sessions where friendships are formed. Hospitality suites at shows provide opportunities for newcomers to learn from “old-timers” and Champion breeders, reinforcing the idea that “knowledge is the first ingredient for success.”
The Critical Role of Record-Keeping
Accurate and consistent record-keeping is identified as a cornerstone of raising exhibition-quality budgerigars. It allows breeders to make informed decisions, track progress, and strategically improve their bloodlines.
Key Record Types
| Record Type | Purpose and Details |
| Pedigrees | Should be maintained for at least three generations. They help confirm which bloodlines are complementary, identify propotent birds (those appearing frequently in the lineage of top performers), and guide linebreeding decisions, such as avoiding brother-sister pairings. |
| Nestbox Cards | Provide a specific record for each breeding pair. Information tracked includes the date paired, the number of eggs laid and hatched, and the band numbers of all chicks for up to three rounds of breeding. |
| Individual Record Cards | Used to log the specific show results for each bird on the exhibition team. |
Performance Statistics
Breeders are advised to maintain annual statistics to monitor year-to-year performance and identify trends, both positive and negative. By analyzing these figures, a breeder can take action to reinforce successful practices and correct issues. Key statistics to track include:
- Number of hens that lay vs. those that do not
- Number of nests with fertile eggs vs. nests with all clear eggs
- Total number of eggs laid vs. number of fertile eggs
- Number of chicks hatched vs. number that successfully leave the nest
- Total number of hens and cocks produced
- Number of “keepers” (birds deemed high-quality) of each sex
The Show Preparation Process
Preparing a budgerigar for exhibition is an intensive, multi-stage process that begins at birth and requires consistent effort over several months.
Foundational Elements
- Heredity: The temperament of the parents has a significant impact. Steady parents tend to produce calm chicks that show well, while flighty parents often produce similarly behaved offspring.
- Early Handling: Training begins in the nestbox. Frequent handling of young chicks helps them become calm, which is highly beneficial in the show cage.
Phased Training and Conditioning Timeline
- Post-Nestbox (Pre-Weaning):
- Chicks are introduced to the show cage even before they are fully weaned.
- A judging stick is used to gently guide them to the perch, helping them accept it as a natural part of the show environment.
- Post-Weaning:
- Chicks are moved to small flight cages (e.g., 48”x24”x24”) with other young birds and a few older, docile cocks to guide them.
- They are fed a normal diet supplemented with as many protein sources as possible.
- Frequent handling continues. They spend short periods in a show cage while the birdroom is being cleaned or maintained.
- To desensitize them to show-hall conditions, they are sometimes left in show cages during noisy activities like sweeping or vacuuming.
- Post-First Moult:
- Birds are moved to a larger flight cage to “develop and muscle up.”
- 8 Weeks Before First Show:
- The most promising birds are moved back to small flights.
- They are inspected for any broken or damaged feathers, which are pulled to allow time for regrowth.
- Birds are reintroduced to the show cage for 2-3 hours at a time, along with the judging stick.
- 1 Month Before Show:
- A spraying routine begins, occurring 3-4 mornings per week. A mixture of water with a little Listerine and Witch Hazel is used.
- The initial drenching encourages natural preening, causing the birds to coat their feathers with natural oils. This is evident when water begins to bead up and roll off the feathers.
- The amount of spray is gradually reduced over the month.
- Pulled feathers are checked to ensure they are regrowing properly.
- 2 Weeks Before Show:
- Time in the show cage is increased to 6-8 hours at a time, a couple of times per week.
- The judging stick is used every time the breeder is in the room to train the bird to “show” and move between perches on command.
- Grooming begins: a toothbrush with a small amount of dishwashing liquid is used to clean any soiled areas on the bird’s cap or mask.
- 4-5 Days Before Show:
- The process of “despotting” (removing unwanted spots) begins. This is done over 2-3 sessions to avoid rushing and making mistakes.
- Large “shadow spots” located under the main spots are left in place as insurance in case a main spot is lost at the last minute.
- Final Week:
- Spraying is reduced to a light misting.
- All spraying is stopped on the Tuesday before a show.
- The remaining shadow spots are removed the night before the show.
“Want a quick visual breakdown of Breeding Exhibition Budgerigars? Watch our short video explanation here: Video Guide
