Brian's Yorkshire Canary Page
Keenan's Canary Clinic - Season 1 - Clubs and shows
Canary breeding has been a fascinating and popular hobby in the UK since the seventeenth century. Over many years through selective breeding, canaries have evolved into distinctly different groups, known as types or varieties. All have gained their own ardent followers, who like their appeal more than that of other canary varieties. Breeders of each individual variety of canary have established standards of excellence, promoting the theoretical ideal bird of each particular breed. Specialist clubs have become established to promote these individual breeds, and networks of clubs have spread throughout the UK and worldwide, united by the common aim of producing the ideal bird.
Taking a step backwards, in addition to canaries, there are many species of domesticated birds kept by a wide variety of people throughout the UK. Catering for their needs, local clubs have formed, meeting regularly to entertain and inform their members, with events programs including guest speakers, various aspects of bird keeping demonstrations, bring and buy sales and a host of other events. These clubs tend to stage one or more mixed variety shows each year, where local fanciers can exhibit their birds in competition with other club members.
Mixed variety shows
These mixed variety shows and their promoting cage birds societies have generally acted as spawning grounds for new fanciers, but they failed to cater effectively for everybody. Certain areas of the country were strong in some varieties but were weaker in others, leaving a gap for those who wished to measure their progress. This lead to the proliferation of specialist societies, encouraging fanciers to travel greater distances to compete against the cream of their favourite breeds throughout the UK and beyond. The strength of the specialist competitions has resulted in the UK leading the world in many varieties of canaries, with top class specimens much sought after, worldwide.A few pointers then, for newcomers to the world of exhibition canaries, and birdclubs. CBS clubs are a great place to meet local fanciers, and to encourage others to take up bird keeping. Meeting regularly, local clubs provide an informal opportunity to ‘network’ with other bird keepers, and take part in several events close to home. They provide an opportunity to dispose of stock and encourage others to take up our hobby.
Learn the ropes
By belonging to, and taking part at CBS level, bird keepers can ‘learn the ropes’ regarding stewarding, holding official club positions, and a myriad other ‘tricks of the trade’ which experienced bird keepers all take for granted. They can cut their teeth on the judging circuit, first at table shows, then at members shows, etc. The majority of canary shows take place between October and December each year, and this applies to both CBS and specialist shows. CBS shows often accept entries on the day of the show, and most will allow fanciers to reclassify their exhibits, if they have inadvertently been entered into the wrong class in error. Contrast this with specialist shows, which often require entries a week or so in advance of the show date in order to produce a catalogue, which will be sold when the show opens to the public. Exhibits are generally not re-classed at open specialist shows, so exhibitors need to be aware of this when they enter their birds for competition.Generally, a close inter-working between specialist and CBS clubs exists, with patronages granted and awards offered at CBS club shows by specialist societies, often at no cost to the promoting society, in return for a mention in the show schedule. For the future of bird keeping, fanciers should make time on their calendar to support both specialist and CBS clubs, as neither can exist without the help of the other.