1, What attracted you to budgerigars
Mainly the colour's, my dad kept budgies and I probably like many others got my first budgies from a pet shop.

2, How long have you kept budgies
I started at 12 years old with my dad; I kept budgies for about 20 years between 1950-1970. I stood still due to family commitments although the hobby was never out of my blood; I still visited shows and kept up to date by reading relevant information.
I started again in 1986 for a few years and again had to stop for a while, but started again in 2003 and still enjoy the hobby today.

3, Do you specialise in any budgies
No I like all budgies and have a variety of types in my stud, but my favourite of these are clear bodys and recessive pieds.

4, Any tips for members both new and old
Mainly for new comers to the hobby do not spend loads of money on birds, go to a good breeder. They will always have some lower priced birds that will set you off to a good start.
There are good books and other bird keepers who will always give you any help and information you need, however the best way to learn is from breeding birds yourself you will learn as you go along, just keep focused.

5, What food  and supplements do you give your birds
All of it! Well maybe not all, during breeding I give my bird’s 50% canary seed, 40% mixed millets and 10% groats.
When not breeding the seed mix is 30% canary 70% mixed millet and once a week add some greenfood.
In finger draws I give a mixture of 3 parts manna plus, 1 part Murphy’s pro system and 1 part Hormova I replenish these as and when needed.
Also in finger drawers I give hormoform and top up as needed.
Once a week in a pot I offer my birds thri von plus.
Soft food: I use orlux to this I add finely chopped boiled eggs I also use the shell of the eggs crushed and rolled until they are almost dust, I also add grated carrot  and farley’s babies 1 st milk, if the mixture is wet I add dried breadcrumbs. The mixture should be crumbly not wet and soggy.
My baby Budgies I feed all the above but also offer groats and a millet spray every day I also put a small piece of millet spray in the nest box a week or so before they are due to leave the nest.

6, When and how many pairs do you breed a year
In my first year I put 17 pairs together and bred 125 young
Last year I paired 21 birds and bred 55 young this was mainly due to the fact that I had to stop early.
This year I am pairing 30 birds as always it will be interesting to see the out come.

7, What has been your best win to date
My best win was the first CC I won at Weston Counties show 2006 in Exmouth, I was also steward that day so it was a most unexpected win

8, Do you have a favourite show of the year and why
My favourite show is Western Counties B&FBS show mainly because I seem to do well in their show, also Coventry Rare Variety show. The venue is good and you are made to feel welcome there.

9, Finally about you hobbies or other interests
I enjoy growing plants I sell some of them at car boot sales some of the rest go in my garden, I like football (I support Leicester City) and snooker and I love to know what’s going on in the world I have 3 different newspapers every day and read then from front to back.