Finch Research Survey - Please help :)

[emilmh]

The research I am doing is focused on the individual identification and recording of finches in aviculture. The following survey will contribute to my research and all information will be greatly appreciated. Please mark as many options as applicable and feel free to add additional information.

The research report is for my Graduate Diploma in Industrial Design, for the Queensland University of Technology. The majority of the research will be based upon the reasons for identification and and recording with exploration and analysis of the current methods in practice.

The information gathered from the survey will assist in supporting (or rejecting) other research I have undertaken, while potentially revealing new information about the topic. I hope that the research will reveal an area that can form the basis of my final year design project. The aim of this project will be the creation of a new product or system that will assist aviculturists.

No private information will be used, and you as an individual will be anonymous. Any information, comments or feedback I receive will be greatly appreciated.

Please feel free to either respond via a post or PM.

Thanks,
Emil

The individual identification and recording of finches in aviculture

The research I am doing is focused on the individual identification and recording of finches in aviculture. The following survey will contribute to my research and all information will be greatly appreciated. Please mark as many options as applicable and feel free to add additional information.

1. Total years experience keeping finches:
a.Less than 1 year b.1-5 years c.5-10 years d.10+ years

2. Total years experience keeping other birds:
a.Less than 1 year b.1-5 years c.5-10 years d.10+ years

3. What are the primary species of finches you have kept?
(Please note main species and Max no. kept at any one time)

4. What is your motivation for keeping finches?
a.Enjoyment/leisure b.Showing c.Selling d.Breeding e.Social reasons (eg. Club)
Other:

5. If you are involved in breeding, please state any specific goals or reasons you have for this.
a.Mutations b.Conservation c.The 'Challenge' d.Enjoyment/leisure
Other:

6. How do you house your finches?
a.Colony b.Individual enclosures
c.Mixed Species housed together d.Single species housed together

7. What type of breeding system do you use?
a.Colony b.Individual enclosures
c.Mixed Species housed together d.Single species housed together

Identification

1. Do you have a method for identifying individual specimens? Yes/No
Please explain your reason for individual identification:

2. What methods do you use for individual identification?
a.Visual/non formal b.Separation c.Banding d.Micro-chipping e.DNA testing
Other:

3. Why do you use this particular method of individual identification? (eg. advantages and disadvantages)
a.Costs b.Ease of application c.Ease of identification/use d.Availability
Other:

Recording

1. Do you record information about finches you keep? Yes/No
Please explain your reason for keeping records:

2. What kind of records do you keep?
a.Individual specimen b.Breeding c.Numbers/census
Other:

3. What is your primary method of recording information?
a.Hand-written based b.Digitally based c.Dedicated avian management software
Other:

4. Why do you use this particular method of recording information? (eg. advantages and disadvantages)
a.Costs b.Ease of application c.Ease of identification/use d.Availability
Other:

5. What do you do with any information that is recorded?
a.Publish b.Share c.Store as reference
Other:

6. Are there any methods of identification or recording you have tried which haven't worked?

[Sally]

I sent you an email - hope this helps.