Avi-cards

[Jayburd]

in a notebook style, it might look something like this.
Mods - sorry, had to use photobucket otherwise it's way too small.

[finches247]

Thats Great Jay

[Jayburd]

Thanks Henry
perhaps one page like that for each species, with a short section at the front outlining basic quarantine procedures?
That page took me about 5 minutes to write, so if I keep it like that it should be pretty simple
(then trying to get it to fit on one small page - I hate Word editing!!!! )

[MadOzzie]

I think this is a fantastic idea. I have wondered and commented i9n another thread why people who sell birds don't take time to label them with some "professional" signs which we or a friend or family member could make for us. Or is it too easy to sell birds at sales?

My main exposure to bird shows has been the Brisbane Ekka. last time I was there was about 3 yeras ago. QFS had a nice aviary of birds as part of their presentation.

However, when I walked past many cages in the competitive part of the show, I had little idea of what I was looking at when I was outside the 6 or so varieties of finch I had kept 35 years previously. Even then with birds I could recognise such as zebras what were the colours/mutaions being shown? If the bird had won a prize thenh I could strain my eyes to read the description of the bird on the card. "Finch - other variety" or "Finch - foreign" was useful. Not! It is not only a "competition" but a "show". It shows off our hoby to the general public.

MadOzzie

[Jayburd]

Thanks madozzie that's another problem I've been pondering.... It would be impossible to fit all the zebra mutations onto one page.... A mutations section at the back? Is that pushing the boundaries of the size of the book?

[finches247]

Or you could make a some special notebooks for very popular species with lots of mutations like Gouldians &Their Mutations,Zebra & Their Mutations,and Bengalese & their mutations with a description on each mutation and could split the Native species from Foriegn species too.

[mattymeischke]

Hi Jay,
That looks great, good on you.
I would add a note on climate (tolerates cold winters, struggles or breeds poorly in temperate climates, that sort of thing).
Since most mutations have essentially the same husbandry and other and compatibility, I would avoid trying to detail all the mutations and instead make a note whe a particular mutation has particular requirements (eg: recessive white canaries need beef suet or similar, blue gouldians are as soft as warm butter, yellow Grennies have fertility issues).
As well as a quarantine note in the intro, perhaps a note on care of sick or injured birds, and/or something on how to buy birds.

Maybe after you sell the first 100,000 copies you could do Gouldian and Zebra mutation versions?

Good project.

[Jayburd]

Making separate ones was my immediate thought too - but the point is that its easy to carry around. Perhaps I could use you guys to map me a sample of the mutations of Zebs and gouldians available at bird sales Round the country over a period - and use them as "common" subjects, and use only them.
perhaps one for finches and one for parrots, but I think splitting foreigns and natives just makes things a bit too complicated - I would personally only want to carry one on me, particularly in the rush of a sale.

Great idea on climate Matt, thanks! That's on my list!
Also, very good ideas for the front section & mutation weaknesses...
So much to consider

[Jayburd]

another idea similar to one I saw in a book years ago......
space saving by pre-discussion. In the "how to use this book" section, have a numbered system that outlines feeding arrangements/habitats/climates etc.
for example:

In this case:
habitat 1 = dry thorny bushland, grassland, savanna
climate 3 = warm (subtropical, semi-arid)
breeder rating 3 = easy-moderate to breed
food type 1 = granivorous insectivore (eats mainly seeds and insects)
Temperament 2 = good mixing species, will vigorously defend nest against intruders, but is generally non-agressive.

It's a good space saving idea at least - bigger pictures, yay!

[MadHatter]

And you could include a bookmark (on a lanyard or something so you can't lose it) with a quick-reference guide for the codes.