Specialty Show

MLaRue · Post by **MLaRue** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 2:05 pm

I would like to get the opinions or feedback regarding specialty shows or seminars for the East Coast.

How many people would like to see more shows in our area? Or specialty seminars in our area?

For those not sure what I'm referring to please see these two websites regarding details of such events.

http://www.efinch.com/show/

http://www.gouldiansgalore.net/index.html See "Important News" right under the Gouldian picture.

As you can see both are species specific. I welcome any and all feedback.

nixity · Post by **nixity** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 3:10 pm

I would love to see more shows..

Or at least - more active advertisement for shows.

I find myself very frustrated when trying to look up shows/events that are coming up. Most of the information is outdated (Birds'n'Ways, for example, has shows listed but they are all from 2008, it has not been updated!)..

I have also tried contacting a number of "Key People" for clubs in the area, and I have not gotten a single email or phone call back.
I called and left messages with the presidents or membership chairs for at least 6 clubs in my area asking for information and I haven't gotten a single phone call back. This was probably 2 months ago.

I have also emailed various clubs asking for more information on specific shows/events they have held in the past to get information on whether or not they will take place again this year and NADA.

It leaves you sort of jaded, and makes me a little envious of the over-active clubs in CA.

MLaRue · Post by **MLaRue** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 3:50 pm

I agree Tiffany. Did you see the new NFSS journal we just got - did you see who won across the board for the southeast shows?

I didn't look at the states the wins were in but thinking GA, FL, AL, NC and SC were not involved. Because I never see any shows mentioned for these states.

I think we Finch group need to pull together on what we would like.

For example there is a bird mart/fair almost every month in GA but not a single show or club that is active. I don't want the fairs it does nothing for our hobby. It drives the quantity of birds up and the quality down.

I would love to see more networks, husbandry, quality, and education. We see that it works look at the results from the West Coast Zebra and Society show.

Do you know how many people are attending the Gouldian Seminar this weekend? I'm going to contact the West Coast people and see if I can get a good idea of what it will take to get us going on the East Coast...

nixity · Post by **nixity** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 3:58 pm

At last count, I think it was about 35 people coming to the seminar.

Part of me feels that if the seminar was in conjunction with a sanctioned show or a bird mart it would have been more popular; but you also have to take into consideration that most of the individuals associated with the clubs around here are probably not coming, and that's a shame I think.

So the attendees are almost all coming from out of town!
I guess if you factor in, then, the cost of travel + the cost of the seminar itself.. it's not a bad number, really.

All the more reason for me to have performance anxiety

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 10:51 pm

I received the NFSS and did notice my friend Peggy Duval won a couple

I also noticed that the same person won most of all the catagories. Also most had around 30 to 50 entries. Even those shows that have been around for awhile have not grown in entries. Same people year after year. It is hard to put on shows when the numbers are not there. Awards are given but many times you win because you are the only one there with that type bird...not because it is a great specimen of that species.
Zebra and Society Finch shows are a different matter, many active ...Also canaries. I guess until the gouldians, and other finches become as wide spread and popular we won't see much of it. And the ones that do have shows...the entries are slim.
Years ago we tried to attract the AKC kennel club here for a sanctioned dog show. We held 2 puppy matches a year and 1 dog show...... after 3 years the towel was thrown in. After renting places to hold these functions, coming up with prizes, and not enough entries or public interest the club just couldn't afford to continue. I am sure bird shows would have the same problems if the interest is not there. I know no other finch breeder in my city

you can not even go to the petstore and buy a gouldian. PetSmart will special order one if you pay up front

I believe most breeders are content to sell at bird fairs to just support their hobbies.
We will see by this topic actually how many people would support an actual bird show. I probably would not.... I have no interest in competition showing. Never could get into the AKC dog showing either..... just contributed to the community because I was in the grooming and boarding business and I always tried to support my customers.

nixity · Post by **nixity** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 11:24 pm

CandoAviary wrote:I know no other finch breeder in my city

Have you never heard of Rhonda Olson?
She's not in PC but she's not far - she is in Pensacola (Gulf Coast Gouldians)..

I got my prize DF Y/B male from her.. she has some really spectacular birds.

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 11:46 pm

Yes I know Rhonda, I sold her a couple pair of my goldbreast. I also have bought 2 gouldians from her. One is a YB LB OH male that I just love. The other is a normal dilute male, both beautiful birds. I have visited her store at the flea market but seems mostly what is there is from other breeders..... of course pet shop owners don't give out their breeders names

I have called a few times but the girl is really busy and I have made the 2 hour drive a couple of times but like I said she is really busy. Hard to visit and talk finch when people are working. The 2 hour drive one way is just not worth it...............unless I need a bird

I also know of Gammy's, 3 hours away. I have bought a couple of gouldians from her also. She has the healthiest birds I have seen around.
I meant I know no finch breeder like close...within 1 hour

MLaRue · Post by **MLaRue** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 12:37 am

Candace,

If you know Emily and Rhonda do you know Jorge from Miami? Have you bought birds from him?

I found it very hard to find "Finch" breeders in the St. Petersburg area too when I lived there. I did find one older gentleman in Pinellas Park that had what some of us only dream to have. It was about 15 years ago now and he was heavily importing from Europe. I remember the first time I went to his home and saw his aviaries

Oh - it was like Christmas! Gorgeous birds!

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 11:13 am

Yes I know Jorge...as a matter of fact I had him ship me my latest red parrot finches. 2 seagreen, a pied and a normal. I posted pics of them under 'Finch Chat" about 30 down, titled New Birds, Seagreen, Pied, and Green Parrots. I hope to someday get some blue gouldians from him. I understand he has the nicest around

I guess with not having breeders close it makes you search and research... I have found some really nice birds for my breeding stock

I found Jorge through a classified search. He is really a sweet guy.
I also had 3 red throated parrot finches flown in from Peggy Duvall in Norfolk, Virginia. She just took 3rd in the east coast show with one of her red parrots and I can see why....they are the prettiest birds

I am hoping to carry on with mixing these breeders great lines and produce some beauties

I already had 1 pair of parrots and they have produced 6 offspring this year...hopefully the older pair from Duval will get busy....they just went into their new aviary.....all the others are young, like around 6 months old so it will be a while before they will be ready.
Have you bought gouldians from Jorge?