For those that show their Gouldians

[Airlyn]

As someone who use to breed and show Champion Pointers, which should not be but is very much a head breed, I found myself captivated yesterday by the differences in my babies heads. Two are flat headed and two have somewhat rounded heads on top. One of which is just adorable with it's little eyes centered. It has a sweet looking expression, while the flat heads seem to make them seem ...predatorish for lack of a better term. I very much prefer the sweet looking one, lol
I googled the standard and found that flat heads is a fault. Now after reading the standard, my goals in breeding made a huge shift. I had told a friend I wanted some blue Gouldians, now my goal is a 'good' speciman no matter the color. Pointers may be a head breed but a good Pointer can not be a bad color...seems like that will apply to birds too ;)
I have never been to a bird show and look forward to going as a spectator to one this coming year.
My questions are, for those of you who show your birds, do you enjoy the bird show scene or do you have a pounding headache at the end of the day? I found myself getting really burned out at dog shows. The handlers are more ferocious than any dog I ever came across, lol especially breeder/owner/handled ones.
Are bird shows more relaxed and friendly? Do people have a tendency to answer questions? I am assuming that would be the best place to find a breeder to get some good specimens from. My bird room is very small and I can only have a limited amount of birds at any given time. Can a small time hobby breeder still have some success and enjoyment at shows?
I look forward to hearing your opinions of the bird show scene and your experiences.
before I get slammed for concentrating on my wee birds heads, I am aware that if the dog doesn't run then a pretty head is useless....well in this case if the bird doesn't fly, lol
The head is just what caused my curiosity
Thanks all for reading,
A~

[Sheather]

Airlyn I don't show or currently have Goulds (have in the past) but I find it funny, I adore the "predator" headed birds (you see similar head variation in societies, too, which I do breed).



I just think they look so sleek compared to the 'bubble heads'.



But to each their own, haha.

[MiaCarter]

Airlyn -- Goodness, do I ever know the world of dog showing! You're right on your comment about how the handlers/owners are more vicious than any of the contestants!
I was involved in dog shows (handler, not a breeder) for a couple years and that was more than enough for me. It became stressful and tiring.
I found I was a much bigger fan of the more relaxed and fun events, like agility and flyball and even earthdog trials.

That said, I've wondered the same about the bird showing world! So I'll be curious to hear about what insight others can offer.

I suspect I'd be quite bad at it, as I tend to love all my babies, even if they're not up to conformation. And I have a hard time parting with my babies, so in the process of breeding the perfect specimen, I'd end up with 500 less-than-show-perfect birds that I couldn't part with.

I wish they had just bird shows where there wasn't competition. Just a bunch of bird lovers gathering to show off lovely birds, talk birds, sell to each other, etc.
(Actually, I think that's called a bird club! LOL)

I agree with Sheather. I love the look of some of the "predatorish" looking birds, like the one above. Very lovely even if it's not proper in the bird show world.

[Airlyn]

I know what you mean, lol
I love all of my babies too.
My littlest princess never saw the ring and she is the apple of my eye. She is currently curled up on my bed with her head on my pillow watching as I type.
My dogs are retired and all are my pets now, all 6 Pointers and resident Great Dane that my hubby had to have, lol
We are all much happier just being couch taters together, although having "bird dogs" and birds in the same house can be rather entertaining. I had to put a baby gate up to the bird room else poor Missy would never stay out of there. She was convinced it was her job to point the birdies all day.
I think all have either a certain breed or breed type they prefer, whether it is correct by standard or not. That is the joy of animals, there is something to suit us all. If there was no personal preference we would all have the same exact pet, lol
I am hoping to discover bird shows are not so cut throat as dog shows. I did enjoy sharing the sport with my pets.
Would be great fun to enjoy something with the birds and have a pleasant comraderie with like minded.
I am curious to find out if a small hobby breeder can be successful in bird shows and it be an enjoyable learning experience. If not, I will love all of my babies still, continue to learn the best I can and try to make good breeding decisions regarding them.
Air~

[Sally]

I love bird shows, and I don't think it is cut-throat at all! Most judges are very good about pointing out what they look for, or explaining why they placed one bird over another, so bird shows are a great place to learn what constitutes a good bird.

For me, I enjoy the social aspect as much as anything. We are a friendly group, we actually like each other , and we are happy for others who place on the bench. Of course, it is always fun to place on the bench ourselves!! It is not unusual for a novice to place on the Top Bench (top ten winners in each show). At Tulsa last year, at the Nationals, two novices placed on Top Bench--they were so proud!

Yes, bird shows are also a great place to network. For example, three of us drove from Dallas to Houston this year to a show. One of the group met another breeder who is working with the same species, and they arranged a trade of bloodlines at the next show at Temple. If no one at a show has what you are looking for, they often know where you can find it.

So go to http://www.nfss.org, and check out the information on showing. There are articles on preparing your birds (and yourself) for a show, building show cages, and the judge's handbook, which explains the standards for many of the species.

Yes, a flat head on a Gouldian is a fault, so even if you prefer that look, you would not want to breed for that if you are interested in showing, as that will count off on the score for that bird. I believe it is good to know what is the standard for the species you are breeding, so that you can work towards that goal in your breeding program. It is a big thrill when a bird you have bred places on Top Bench.

[Airlyn]

Thank you for the information. The bird shows sound like they are a lot of fun and informative! I will check out that site and do some reading
I can't wait to join some clubs too!

[Kiishka]

What a great topic! I also show dogs, and have Pointers (all field bred and rescue dogs, but a couch full of Pointers nontheless ;) ). I've also been curious about showing birds- I've never been to a bird show, and have no idea how they work. I'd be curious to see how they compare to dog shows!

I have to admit, I've never noticed the subtleties of bird conformation until you posted those pictures side by side. I feel like a non-breed person trying to tell a ring of Schipperkes apart "But they all look alike!" I actually sort of like the bubble heads- they look friendly, but noble. The other ones look positively raptor-esque! Elegant, but very different.

[Airlyn]

Hey Kat, too bad we aren't closer we could go scope out the scene together
Are you going to go see a show in your area out of curiosity?

[Airlyn]

I found someone who will loan me some show cages! Now all I need is get on somebody's wait list for some Lady Gouldians. I have emailed I don't know how many people via Google. If they mentioned they showed I sent an email. I sent a few to people who just had birds I thought was very pretty. Not a single person has emailed back, lol
I won't give up
I have become very excited about participating in shows.
I'll keep you posted on my endeavors
Air~

[Sally]

In the past, I have posted mostly marts and fairs in the Calendar. With more and more people getting interested in bird shows, I'll make more of an effort to post the bird shows that I hear about. Though there are a few shows in the summer, the big show season for finches is in the fall, starting in September and ending in November with the Nationals. This year, Nationals is in Dayton OH, but for the next three years, it will be in the Chicago area. Nationals are great fun, a chance to meet most of the board members of NFSS and many of the big breeders. I have to miss Nationals this year (it is next week), and I am suffering from withdrawal already!!

[Kiishka]

I do plan on attending one in my area at some point! When I do, I'll keep you posted ;) Good luck with the gouldians! I've had my first pair for a week or so and just ADORE them

[Airlyn]

I got on the waiting list for some birds for next year
I am going to get some from Terri at Glam Goldians. I am so excited! I can't wait for winter to be over
She was super nice in her reply to me. Plus if I have a problem or need something she has what I need So I can just buy it right from her

[SeaChelle]

I attended my very first show this year, and coming from the horse show industry, I was a little nervous too! But everyone was so warm and welcoming and helpful. Sally let me borrow some show cages and took the time to help every step of the way. I felt like it was a really laid back and fun environment (a bit busy before the judging starts to get all the birds entered and set up) and I learned a ton. You don't get to hear immediate feedback from the judge in horse shows, so that was a really cool aspect. Definitely recommend it!

[Sally]

One tip for showing: Sometimes you can purchase your show tags in advance. One of our Fort Worth Bird Club members is the show secretary for both the FWBC show in Cleburne and the TBBFA show in Temple. Barbara sells show tags at our club meeting prior to each of these shows. Getting your show tags in advance saves so much time at the show, as you can get all your paperwork done at home.

When we go to out-of-town shows such as Houston or San Antonio, we go the night before, so we can usually buy the tags when we arrive that night, get all our work done, put our birds in the show hall, and then relax until the next morning. Sure makes it less stressful the day of the show. It does take a little time to get all that paperwork done.

Another tip if you can't get your show tags in advance: As you put each bird into its show cage, write down its description (especially band numbers) on a post-it, and put that on the top of the show tag. Write down all the information needed for each bird on a separate piece of paper, so when you get to the show hall, you just transfer that information to the entry form and show tags, and then attach the show tags to the appropriate show cage.

I'll try to remember to start a new topic on preparing for a show and show day, probably in early September before the big show season starts.

[Airlyn]

Thank you for the tips Sally