July 5th

Lights are on 14 hours a day.

Eggfood twice a day for young birds. Peas and washed germinated seeds are added to the softfood. AviCulture probiotic also added.

AviCulture probiotic in the water.

Cuttlefish bone present always.

Grit - mixed grits present always.

Seed mixture - mixed canary seed.

Young canaries are now separated from the parents. The youngsters continue to be fed the softfood mixture. At around 6 to 8 weeks of age they may be treated for coccidiosis. Loose droppings and going light can be symptoms of an infestation of these very common microscopic parasitic intestinal organisms. Young canaries which have had little chance to build up any resistance, can be very susceptible to these organisms, particularly when they are pecking about on the cage floor. This will be followed by a course of Aviculture probiotic to replace any lost beneficial bacteria.

Many of the young corona's are now being caged individually. The moult has started, some of the adults and young already dropping old feathers. When the last chicks leave the nest, the lights will be reduced to allow the birds to get through the moult in a quiet environment.

The Show Season:-

A trophy, 'The Stoakes Flyer' (in memory of my dad), is awarded for the most points scored in the champion section at the Humberside Show. The aim was to award exhibitors for staging good consistent show teams rather than an outstanding individual bird. Additionally, it was hoped that it would encourage exhibitors to enter lots of birds at a show which already attracts 5 or 6 hundred top quality Glosters. The roll of honour is as follows:-

2004   Saunders & Spring (Nottingham)

2005   Kev Stoakes (Scunthorpe)

2006   Steven Gash (Mansfield)

2007   Not Awarded (show cancelled due to avian flu scare)

2008   Could this be you? Join Humberside Gloster Association and enjoy the friendly atmosphere & competition at this year's show on 23rd November.

Why 'The Stoakes Flyer'? Well, the name comes from my childhood when my father had a fishing rod made and that was the name which was embossed on it. The year that my bird won the English National was the same year that my dad died. I wanted to do something beneficial for the hobby, attract members to the club and exhibits to the show, whilst also remembering my dad. So I had this silver trophy made and donated it to the Humberside Gloster Association.

Good Luck! I hope you win it and look after it for the next 12 months.