SHOWING

      EXHIBITING

      The exhibiting side of Canary culture has quite a strong fascination to many breeders and each year more and more birds are appearing on the show benches at exhibitions all over the country. Once the breeder has acquired a good all round knowledge of Canaries and has probably visited a few caged bird exhibitions a desire to show is almost certain to arise. The exhibiting of home bred stock against those of other breeders is a very good thing as not only does the competition stimulate keenness in the breeds, it also makes for continual racial improvements. There is far more in exhibiting than just putting birds into cages and taking them along to a show, and this will soon become clear. To be really successful at exhibiting any variety of Canary it is most important that the birds are well trained for this purpose. Unless birds have been show trained when young, it is of little use to take them straight from a flight cage or aviary, put them in a show cage, and then expect to win prizes.

      WINNING QUALITIES

      There are three main qualities which birds must have to win prizes on the show bench: firstly, perfect clean tight feather, good health, and no missing claws or feathers: secondly, they must be as near as possible to the prescribed standard of type as required by each individual variety, and thirdly, quite steady and perfectly at home in the show cage. Any one of these qualities on its own is not sufficient to make birds successful, they must have a balanced combination of all three.

      SHOW TRAINING

      It is essential that the first principles of show behaviour are installed into any potential show birds at an early age. This can be done as soon as the young are taken from their parents by hanging a show cage over an open door of their stock cage into which they can be encouraged by tit-bits. Once the birds move freely in and out of the show cage they can be left shut in for an hour or two at a time, the period being gradually increased. It is surprising how quickly Canaries of all breeds become accustomed to their own particular type of show cages and will go into them immediately they are put near the stock cage door. The next part of the show training is to introduce the birds to the travelling cases, getting them used to being moved about.

      STOCK TRAINING CAGES

      The normal single or double breeding cages with the furnishings removed make excellent cages for housing show stock. Stock cage floors must be kept scrupulously clean so that the plumage of the birds does not get soiled, for this purpose the floors should be covered with a good layer of fresh sweet sawdust which should be frequently changed. It is not advisable to use sand as when wet it is liable to stain the tail and wing feathers. As a general rule exhibition cock birds should be caged separately so they do not fight when in high condition. Several hen birds can mostly be housed together quite safely but it is advisable to keep a watchful eye to see if any fighting does take place. Any fighting hens should be housed quite separately from the others.

      FEEDING SHOW STOCK

      Correct feeding plays an important part in getting and keeping exhibition birds in that desired perfect condition, especially in view of the fact that they have to stand up to the strain of train journeys, handling at shows, and changes of temperature. Feeding must also be watched from the putting on of surplus weight angle because over-fat birds will lose general condition and shape. A good standard mixture for feeding show stock is two parts of best canary seed to one part of best red rape, all seeds to be specially well cleaned. In addition to the standard mixture a small quantity of mixed seeds should be given as an extra on alternate days with a limited amount of fresh green food. It will be found beneficial to give birds which have just returned from a show journey a small dish of soft food. Grit, cuttlefish bone and fresh water should always be available in the stock cages.

      SHOW CONDITION

      The importance of perfect show condition in all the varieties of Canaries cannot be emphasised too strongly. It will be realised that there is a difference between show condition and breeding condition and that both are essential in their proper season. With breeding condition the health and vigour of the birds are the all important factors; however, with show condition, health and bodily vigour must also be combined with perfection of feather. This perfect condition of plumage means that the birds must have their full complement of feathers of fine texture without any being broken, bent, stained or soiled. As a general rule Canaries will bath regularly, but they can be assisted to keep clean by spraying with clear cold rain water or cold boiled tap water. Spraying should not be done too often as it spoils texture, or at the wrong time, i.e., later in the day or on excessively damp days. It is not wise to spray birds too near the time they are to be sent to a Show. This should always be done three days previously. It is necessary sometimes to hand-wash Canaries, but this tricky operation should not be attempted by a newcomer on birds that are to be shown. Experience should be gained on non-show birds but then only after full instructions have been received. Most local Cage Bird Societies give periodical demonstrations of hand-washing and experienced breeders will also be pleased to demonstrate.

      BIRDS ENTERED AT SHOWS

      It is essential that the Show rules and Schedule of classes be read carefully before the entry forms are filled up. Should any doubt arise as to the correct class in which a particular bird should be entered advice can be obtained from the Show Secretary or a member of the Show Committee. All completed entry forms, together with the necessary entry fees, should be sent to the Show Secretary well before the closing date. Travelling case labels must be firmly fixed to the outside of the travelling cases and the under part of the labels clearly filled in with the return name and address: rail fares must be paid for both outward and return journeys. Before the birds are packed into their travelling cases the water vessels must be emptied and seed vessels filled. Birds should be sent to Shows by trains that will get them to their destination in good time for staging. As soon as birds arrive back from Shows they should be given a dish of soft food, seed and water and then returned to their stock cages. Potential exhibitors are advised to visit at least