NATIONAL COCKATIEL SOCIETY JOURNAL Shades of Silver ……
Transcription
NATIONAL COCKATIEL SOCIETY JOURNAL Shades of Silver ……
NATIONAL COCKATIEL SOCIETY JOURNAL July/August/September 2014 Shades of Silver ……... The National Cockatiel Society Journal Dedicated to the Education of Cockatiel Enthusiasts Worldwide. July/August/September 2014 Volume XXXI, No 3 Official publication of The National Cockatiel Society, Inc. www.cockatiels.org Issue Highlights…. NCS Biographies Incompatibility, Causes and Cures Complete Bloodcount Visual Sexing Page 6 Page 14 Page 18 Page 25 Society Information …. NCS Board of Directors NCS Appointed Positions State Coordinators Judges Panel Show Calendar Page 4 Page 5 Page 10 Page 16 Page 26 The National Cockatiel Society Journal is the official quarterly magazine of the National Cockatiel Society, Inc. The National Cockatiel Society, Inc. is a non-profit, 501c(3) corporation. Copyright 2014 All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. National Cockatiel Society, I National Cockatiel Society, Inc. July/Aug/Sept 2012 Page 3 Page 1 Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole President Leslie Huegerich 611 Quest Ridge Dr. Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 [email protected] Secretary Vickie Ferguson 411 Aviator Dr. Fort Worth, TX 76179 [email protected] North-Eastern Director Ruth Doughty 79 Howard St. Lewiston, ME 04240 [email protected] 1st VP/Judges Chair Julia Allen 3592 Lake Unity Nursery Rd. Fruitland Park, FL 34731 [email protected] Treasurer Deb Dollar P.O. Box 12058 Brooksville, FL 34603 [email protected] Central Director Carla Crowe 1342 Hildreth Pool Rd. Bowie, TX 76230 centraldirector @cockatiels.org 2nd Vice President Jim Heffernan 11177 Buno Rd. Brighton, MI 49114 [email protected] Membership/Bands Chris Orowitz 1776 Walter Boone Rd. Rineyville, KY 40162 [email protected] Western Director Jesse Avila 7910 Greenland Rd. Franktown, CO 80116 3rd Vice President Ellen O’Neil 1652 Pisgah State Rd. Shermans Dale, PA 17090 [email protected] Puerto Rico Director Juan Carlos Cotto [email protected] South-Eastern Director Karen Perdue (770) 382-4225 [email protected] Your A D Here Page 2 Don’t miss the Chance to grow your Business by placing An ad right here! Contact: Leslie Huegerich [email protected] July/August/September 2014 SHOW REPORTS EDITOR Chris Orowitz 1776 Walter Boone Rd. Rineyville, KY 40162 [email protected] AFA DELEGATE Jim Heffernan [email protected] Leslie Huegerich [email protected] EDUCATION OUTREACH CHAIR Ruth Doughty (207) 344-8640 [email protected] Advertising Open TECHNICAL CO-CHAIRS Leslie Huegerich [email protected] Allen Fox [email protected] GA RESIDENT NCS AGENT Karen Perdue (770) 382-4225 [email protected] NCS Sales Store Open NCBS (National) LIAISON Leslie Huegerich (see President) AUCTION CHAIRPERSON Open PARLIAMENTARIAN/BYLAWS Jeff Robinson [email protected] The folks who make the NCS Journal happen... Guest Journal Editor Chris Orowitz Assistant Editor Leslie Huegerich Content Manager Julia Allen 3592 Lake Unity Nursery Rd. Fruitland Park, FL 34731 [email protected] Contributing Writers Pat Tucker Linda Greeson Rice Dr. Scott McDonald Front and Back Cover Photos: Various Colors of Dominant Silvers Owner: Robert Finalet National Cockatiel Society, Inc. Page 3 NCS Biographies The biographies below are of current NCS Candidates. If you have been a member of NCS for at least six months, you should receive a ballot via mail by the NCS Secretary. You should return this to the accounting firm listed with the ballot. If you do not receive a ballot by October 10th, please contact the NCS Secretary. Leslie Huegerich - PRESIDENT My name is Leslie Huegerich and I am running for the position of President of the National Cockatiel Society. For the past 14 years I have held a variety of positions within NCS including: webmaster, journal editor, Secretary, and NC State Coordinator. I also am a Board of Director of the North American Parrot Society and held the position of President both in my local club, Raleigh Durham Caged Bird Society, and the International Parrotlet Society. In my personal life, I am the principle for a data analysis and accounting company in Raleigh, NC. I have a loving husband of 19 years and two teenage boys. In my spare time, I love going to auctions and working on my small urban farm. In my short time as President, I have worked towards putting our volunteers in the positions where they can use their assets the best. I believe this organization is just a mere collection of others enthusiasm of like interests. I want to keep moving the organization in this positive direction so we can all direct this organization to being a great source of education through pet ownership, breeding, and exhibition. I would like to ask you for your vote and look forward to serving you in any way NCS needs. Ellen O’Neill - 3rd VICE PRESIDENT September 2007 we went to our first Cockatiel Show to learn more about breeding & exhibiting cockatiels. We met a wonderful person that day and visited her aviary and after a few visits, we had a great beginning to our flock. Early 2008, we set up our very first pair and my daughter chose to keep our very first hatch. At 6 months old, we entered him in his first Cockatiel Show and he won 2nd Best Novice twice and a Judge's Special Award. After that show, we were hooked. Showing is a great way for Cockatiel Breeders to come together in one area and learn from one another. Watching your bird being judged alongside another Breeder’s Cockatiel is a wonderful opportunity to see what your breeding program is producing vs. other Breeders. It’s also a great social event and opportunity to make new friends who share the same love as we do – our cockatiels. I have been serving NCS and it’s Clubs and Members since October 2011 as Club Affiliations Chair. I love spending time with my cockatiel-loving friends and love helping Clubs to host their shows. I would appreciate the opportunity to continue in the position as Club Affiliations Chair for the next term. Page 4 July/August/September 2014 Jonathan Haider - SECRETARY This is my first time running for anything in life so please excuse my shortcomings. As for my Bio, here it goes, please feel free to edit any part of it to suit your needs: My name is Jonathan Haider. I live in Bellflower, CA (suburb of Los Angeles). I am 31 years old. I am from Bangladesh. I have been in USA since 1997. I have been raising birds since I was a small child in Bangladesh. Although I never had a cockatiel in Bangladesh but I had pet Indian Ringnecks and Mynahs. In USA I started to raise birds since 2009 with English Budgies (which I still currently have 20 pairs of) and then saw my first Cockatiel at a Swap meet in 2010, it was a Whiteface Pearl Pied. I immediately fell in love with it and I was hooked. I found out about NCS as I was browsing online sites for tips. That is when I saw NCS website and saw the pictures of different mutations. From then I wanted to breed show birds. I continued to browse through NCS page and found Ms. Linda Arnett and Mr. Robert Finalet, both of whom I am grateful for helping me get started on the hobby and their generosity. As many can relate with me, I found and saw Phil's website (Calico Cockatiels / Philipferet.com) and drooled over those beautiful pieds. I immediately called Phil but learned that he had sold most of his stock and just moved to North Carolina. He asked me to call Josh Maple and Julie Allen. The rest is history.... It all started with one bird, now I have over 60+ birds (maybe more, I honestly need to count). My wife, Sumi and I are both in the hobby together (which makes it special). Although truth be told, she takes the brunt of the load and seldom complains. Its truly a blessing/honor/privilege for us to be part of this wonderful group. Where people care, help, cooperate, volunteer, and most importantly thrive to breed a better bird. I heard it many times and will hear it many moons to come, "No one has bred a perfect bird as of yet " - but it's the goal that keeps us all going. I will try my best to do whatever I can to help in my position. I ask everyone that they help me along the way, point out my mistakes so I can correct them. Deb Dollar - TREASURER My husband and I have been in birds since 1982. We began showing primarily cockatiels soon after. Over the years we have exhibited in Budgies, Finches and Parrots. But our primary focus was always Cockatiels even after I became a SPBE judge at which point our focus of exhibition changed slightly to include hookbills. I have always been, in my professional life, a bookkeeper or account manager. Responsible for accounts receivables, debt collection and management. In 1996 (or so) my husband and I founded our own nonprofit avian organization and ran it for over 15 years. So that makes me fully aware of the ins and outs of running a Non Profit Treasury. It has been my pleasure to run the NCS treasury for the last 2 years and look forward to continuing in the future. National Cockatiel Society, Inc. Page 5 Jesse Avila - WESTERN REGIONAL DIRECTOR My wife and I have been members of NCS since 1997. Having had exclusively cockatiels in our home since 1990 my wife and I started showing cockatiels in 2002 at the Denver shows. Having acquired some great breeder birds from other NCS members, the Denver shows were small enough to move us rapidly to advanced breeders. We have shown primarily in the Denver shows and other shows in the western area ,e.g. Albuquerque, Phoenix, Dallas and Las Vegas. Between the two of us we've bred and shown several specialty winners and accumulated enough points and wins to have grand champions in our aviary. I have been vice chairperson and show manager for the last six years of the MSAS shows here in the Denver area. I would appreciate your vote. Carla Crowe - CENTRAL REGIONAL DIRECTOR Hello my name is Carla Crowe, I have been your Central Regional Director for a year now and have enjoyed serving as such. If elected for a second term I will continue my efforts to help in any capacity that I can. Just a little background on myself, I have assisted my parents Royce & Barbara Irwin with their cockatiels and now own a flock of my own for 30 years or more. I have helped to organize and run our local shows as well as out of state. I did assist last years Specialty Show in Gatlinburg, Tennessee but unfortunately became ill the first day of the show and was unable to help any farther I hope to not do that this year. I have also helped to Steward at the last 3 National Shows for National Cage Bird Society. I enjoy the hobby very much and enjoy the friends and new friends I meet along the way. I hope to be re-elected so that I can continue to serve and attempt to make NCS better each year. Susan Stevie - NORTHEASTERN REGIONAL DIRECTOR I've had birds for decades and started exhibiting in 2011. I'm a member of the National Cockatiel Society, North American Parrot Society, Society of Parrot Breeders and Exhibitors, National Finch and Softbill Society, and the African Lovebird Society. I've been a champion exhibitor in finches and parrots annually since 2012 and have been fortunate to own several birds that have achieved champion status. I am President and past Treasurer of our local bird club, the Mid-American Exotic Bird Society (MAEBS), based in central Ohio. Under my leadership MAEBS has hosted a bird show the past two years including NCS, NAPS, and ALBS divisions; our show in 2013 was the first show in Ohio in decades and boasted major shows for NCS and ALBS, and had 101 parrot entries...a huge success! What I've enjoyed most about hosting shows is having the opportunity to encourage others to try exhibiting their birds for the first time and helping them discover how fun and educational bird shows can be. Page 6 July/August/September 2014 I've been a member of NCS since 2011 and have participated in numerous NCS shows and meetings over the past several years including regional and national events such as the National Cage Bird Show and the NCS Specialty show in Gatlinburg. NCS is a wonderful organization of volunteers committed to educating others about cockatiels and improving the species; if elected I look forward to representing NCS members in the Northeastern Region and working with everyone to strengthen and grow the society. Diane Baxter - NORTHEASTERN REGIONAL DIRECTOR My interest in Birds started many years ago, when I was a child. Birds were always my favorite animal. Starting with Chickens, Ducks, Geese and Parakeets. Now Cockatiels! I have had Cockatiels for over 25 years. My first Cockatiel is still with me. His name is Mr Birdie. He is 25 years old.. I am an Advanced Breeder and show person. Most of my Cockatiels were bred by me. I have been showing my Cockatiels for 20 or more years. Showing in NCS, many times and winning many Awards. During my time, I have held offices with other Societies. Holding offices such as State Rep., Pet Advisor and being on the Board of Directors. My Experience and Qualifications are of high standards., My Plan is to represent NCS to my Best Ability. I am sure that I can be an asset to this Society. There will always be a need for: Teaching, Advising, and Caring for all of our Birds. As members of NCS we must keep helping and caring. I would be proud to represent NCS if I was to acquire this position For Sale: 4 (like new) show boxes with vinyl covers, asking $40. each + 15.00 shipping or 2 for $70. + 30.00 shipping. Contact Judy Brumey [email protected], National Cockatiel Society, Inc. Page 7 LOUISIANA: Richar d Nicolaisen (318) 382-2246 - [email protected] MAINE: Ruth Doughty (207) 344-8640 [email protected] ALABAMA: Tony & Tr ish Albr itton [email protected] ARKANSAS: Mar y Wagster (870)346-5190 - [email protected] CALIFORNIA: Rober t Finalet [email protected] COLORADO: Peggy Avila (303) 663-0399 - [email protected] FLORIDA: J ulia Allen (352) 360-1035 - [email protected] Judy Shapiro (850) 294-3425 [email protected] GEORGIA: Kar en Per due (770) 382-4225 - [email protected] HAWAII: J anet Mishier (808) 268-1553 [email protected] MASSACHUSETTTS: Pat Tucker (978) 443-5218 [email protected] MICHIGAN: Kim & Scott Mackey (810)367-7483 [email protected] MISSISSIPPI: Tony & Tr ish Albritton [email protected] NEBRASKA: Sue Ellen Pr ay (402)782-2051 [email protected] NEVADA: Gr eg LeFr ancis [email protected] (702)538-5138 NEW HAMPSHIRE: Allen Fox [email protected] NORTH CAROLINA: Leslie Huegerich [email protected] PENNSYLVANIA: Ellen O’Neil (717)582-2412 [email protected] KENTUCKY: J osh Per kins (502) 741-6767 [email protected] Page 8 July/August/September 2014 PURETO RICO: J ose Ber nar dy (787) 738-0203 [email protected] TEXAS: Royce Ir win (817) 572-6262 [email protected] Janelle O’Rourke [email protected] Memo from the State Coordinator Chair We are still in need of State Coordinators in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin ,Wyoming. If your state is not represented and you would like to become involved in promoting NCS in your local area, please contact me via e-mail at [email protected] Jim Heffernan 2nd Vice President State Coordinator Chair National Cockatiel Society, Inc. Page 9 The following Clubs have affiliated for the 2014 Calendar year. APPALACHIAN BIRD BREEDERS & EXHIBITORS Ellen O'Neil Shermans Dale, PA 774-281-3307 [email protected] MID-AMERICAN EXOTIC BIRD SOCIETY Susan Stieve Columbus, OH 614-205-3755 [email protected] www.maebs.com BALTIMORE BIRD FANCIERS Christine Roberts 410-343-1807 [email protected] www.baltimorebirdfanciers.org MID-ATLANTIC COCKATIEL BREEDERS & EXHIBITORS Josh Maple [email protected] COCKATIEL SOCIETY OF PAKISTAN Hamid Raza Shah [email protected] EAST COAST EXHIBITORS GROUP Leslie Huegerich [email protected] FORT WORTH BIRD CLUB Royce Irwin 817-572-6262 [email protected] GREATER CHICAGO CAGE BIRD CLUB Villa Park, IL Julia Howard [email protected] www.gccbc.org MOUNTAIN STATES AVIAN SOCIETY Brighton, CO Jesse Avila 303-663-0399 [email protected] www.msasbirds.org NEW ENGLAND COCKATIEL BREEDERS & EXHIBITORS Wendy LaBanca 140 Almy Street Warwick, RI 02886 401-732-0693 [email protected] www.necbe.com NORTH TEXAS COCKATIEL CLUB Royce Irwin 817-572-6262 [email protected] TEXAS BIRD BREEDERS & FANCIERS ASSOCIATION Royce Irwin 817-572-6262 [email protected] Page 10 July/August/September 2014 NCS Specialty Show Brookside Resort, Gatlinburg, TN 463 East Parkway August 29 – 31, 2014 (4) NCS Shows: NCS Specialty Show ~ NCS Double Points Show ~ NCS Baby Show ~ NCS Show (4) NAPS Parrots Shows NCS Judges: Jeff Robinson (Specialty Show), Wendy Jendro (Double Points Show), Regular NCS Show Julia Allen, Deb Dollar (Baby Show) NAPS Judges: Jeff Robinson, Deb Dollar, Jim Heffernan, Leslie Huegerich Tentative Agenda (we will update as we finalize plans): Friday: 4pm: Board Meeting 5:15pm: check-in birds 6pm: NCS Baby Show & NAPS Parrot Show #1 Saturday: 7:30am: check-in birds 9:30am - 5pm: Two NCS Shows; Two Parrot Shows Sunday: 7:30am: check-in birds 9:30am – 2pm: 1 NCS Show; 1 Parrot Show For more information contact: Ellen O’Neill, [email protected] National Cockatiel Society, Inc. Page 11 INCOMPATIBILITY - CAUSES AND CURES by Linda Greeson Rice The placing of a hen and cock together in a cage with a nest box does not automatically insure that baby birds will be produced. Those of us who have been involved in breeding dogs or cats soon learn that breeding birds is an entirely different undertaking. You can pretty much depend on a male dog being attracted to any female dog in heat. Few of the females are fussy over your choice of mates when they are ready to breed. Not so with birds. Many of the larger species and a fair number of the smaller ones may take years to bond to each other. Once they have established a bond many more years may elapse before mating and the production of fertile eggs. Stumpy, our Blue and Gold Macaw was such a beautiful example of this species we decided to provide him with a mate. Henrietta, the large hen we found for him, was friendly from the start. It was years before Stumpy even allowed her to sit near him on the perch. He had been our pet bird, indulged by the whole family as he developed to maturity. This made his bonding to another bird an even slower process than usual. Over the years their friendship finally developed into love. Stumpy fed and pruned Henrietta and talked to her the way he used to talk to us. We were hopeful but the eggs she laid were all clear. We began to suspect that because of his congenitally deformed feet Stumpy was unable to manage fertilization even with a willing and experienced hen. Ten long years after their being placed together they finally rewarded us with a beautiful Blue and Gold baby. They fed and cared for it with skill and devotion and seemed as proud of it as we were. It may even happen that a bird will never become compatible with the mate selected by its owner. This may be an insurmountable problem when a closely bonded pair is separated. I have not personally experienced the loss of the remaining bird as I have heard does occur, but I know how close we have come on a few occasions. There are times when separation is inevitable. When given a choice the owner must face the dangers of the stress involved in separating a strongly bonded pair and not undertake this lightly. Many times the loss of one results in the loss of both. The hen may be more interested than the cock and give up on her attempts to be fertilized. She then goes about nesting as usual, but lays and tries to incubate clear eggs. Some cocks are intensely territorial and concentrate on defending their cage space rather than on their mate. More often an eager cock finds himself with a reluctant hen. He may be so insistent and so tired of his mate's "having a headache" that he drives her into the nest box and may keep her there without food and water. A special "T" shaped nest box with an alternate escape route has been designed for use with Cockatoos where this type of aggressive behavior is common. Page 12 July/August/September 2014 Occasionally a hen is badly plucked by a domineering cock. I have one pair where the female stays stripped of feathers about the head and back during the entire breeding season. I find their nest box carefully lined with her soft feathers. Both parents are attentive to the babies so I accept this as part of their mating behavior. We also encounter the "next door syndrome". The cock ignores his own hen and spends his time actively courting the hen in the adjoining cage. When this behavior persists over a period of weeks wife swapping is all that is left to do. I have a big Cinnamon Pearl Cockatiel hen I have set up with a total of four different mates. Each choice was made after careful study of pedigrees and a search to find the right characteristics to compliment hers. I was anxious to breed this lovely hen and each time gave her many months to adjust to each new mate. On the fourth try she immediately fell in love and went right to nest with fertile eggs. One pair of Cockatiels whose nest box I had flagged "apparently incompatible" and was about to give up on surprised me with a clutch of nine eggs and hatched six babies. I had never observed them to be courting or even to be on friendly terms but they had obviously gotten together at some time. Unless they are dimorphic (visually different males and females) all breeding pairs need to be either surgically or DNA sexed. The DNA method is less expensive and so convenient I now rely on it almost exclusively. Surgical sexing is valuable in determining if the bird is sexually mature and physically capable of reproduction. Even educated guesses by experienced breeders have been proven to be wrong. Two of the same gender will often be completely compatible and bond together with a promising affectionate relationship, but, of course, no chicks. If money and space permit an excellent method of insuring compatibility in your pairs is to place a number of sexed birds in a large flight and observe their preferences. If this natural selection is not a practical option have found that placing two new birds together in a single cage immediately upon obtaining them can be effective. They will both be frightened and find security with each other. By the time they settle down they become friends. This should not be attempted without keeping the birds under close observation for a long period of time. It is not an infallible method. The most effective way of all to ensure compatibility is to place two youngsters, j ust out of the weaning stage or still requiring some hand feeding, in a cage together. Allowed to grow up together without too much human attention to confuse them, they bond closely. They usually become sexually mature at an early stage in their development. Quite often the solution to achieving compatibility in a pair is just the passage of time. "Let's give them another year." is our frequent decision and it is often the right National Cockatiel Society, Inc. Page 13 JUDGES Julia Allen Judges Panel Chair 35920 Lake Unity Nursery Rd. Fruitland Park, FL 34731 (352) 360-1035 [email protected] Clarence Culwell-NAPS,NFSS 250 Horseshoe Drive Springtown, TX 76082 (817) 220-5568 [email protected] Al Decoteau - NFSS, SPBE P.O. Box 546 Hollis, NH 03049 (603) 672-4568 [email protected] Deb Dollar - SPBE P.O. Box 12058 Brookville, FL 34603 (352) 799-7294 [email protected] Roland Dubuc,- ALBS, NAPS Panel Secretary P.O. Box 1651 Fallbrook, CA 92088 (760) 731-6188 [email protected] Philip Feret- SPBE 742 W. Garner Rd., #206A Garner, NC (919) 270-5911 [email protected] Page 14 Jim Heffernan - SPBE 780 Fairwood Inkster, MI 48141 (313) 247-5900 [email protected] Frank Horan - ALBS 111 Abbot Street Staten Island, NY 10305 (718) 816-9689 [email protected] Leslie Huegerich - NAPS 611 Quest Ridge Drive Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 [email protected] Sabrina Frizzell 1701 Rainey Road Temple, GA 30179 (770) 294-2782 [email protected] Royce Irwin - NAPS 4211 Kelley Elliot Road Arlington, TX 76106 (817) 572-6262 [email protected] Sherri Lewis Palmyra, VA [email protected] Wendy Lomas 145 153rd Pl SE Bellevue, WA 98007 (352) 238-5148 [email protected] July/August/September 2014 PANEL Scott Mackey P.O. Box 610683 Port Huron, MI (810) 367-7483 [email protected] Josh Maple - ALBS, NAPS 1308 Kelly Road Garner, NC 27529 [email protected] Gary Morgan - ALBS, NAPS 15341 Kingston Street Brighton, CO 80602 (303) 659-9544 [email protected] Jeff Robinson - NAPS 5700 Monterrey Fort Worth, TX 76112 (817) 709-9041 [email protected] JUDGES EMERITUS Charlie Anchor (deceased) Lloyd Bailey (deceased) Harold Bowles (deceased) Henry Castle Don Dunn (deceased) Dominic Franzo Carl Helton (deceased) Ray Johnson Charlie Kruger (deceased) Keith Reimer (deceased) Dale Theeke (deceased) Paul Williams Auggie Murray-Young Jose Bernardy Lee Horton Barbara Theeke Conrad Meinert Inactive: Linda Arnett Pat Tucker - SPBE 80 Lincoln Road Sudbury, MA 01776 (978) 443-5218 [email protected] Judges– send show reports here: Show Reports Editor Chris Orowitz 1776 Walter Boone Road Rineyville, KY 40162 [email protected] National Cockatiel Society, Inc. Page 15 COMPLETE BLOODCOUNT by Dr. Scott McDonald (All Rights Reserved, Used with Permission from author) As a general rule, I do not recommend laboratory tests on clinically healthy “pet birds” that are brought to me for routine physical examination and grooming on a regular basis. In my experience, if a bird is acting normal at home, if I see nothing abnormal on the exam, then in all likelihood laboratory tests will be normal as well. That being said, there are two basic tests( which can be requested)t hat are good, additional indicators of health;the fecal Gram stain and the complete blood count. The Gram stain is discussed in a separate paper. The complete blood count (CBC) is a good, sensitive indicator of the bird’s general health. A change in the hemogram can be noted when no other abnormalities are detected. It is the single most important blood test that can be performed. If all parameters are normal on the CBC, then this is a good indication that the bird is not currently fighting some type of generalized infection or inflammatory disease process. However, a normal CBC does not rule out the possibility that the bird is an asymptomatic carrier of a bacterial or viral disease or has a localized infection. There are three types of cells which are evaluated on the CBC;red blood cells (RBC’s or erythrocytes), white blood cells (WBC’s) and thrombocytes. In addition, the plasma (non‐cellular part of the blood) is examined for color, protein, and the presence of parasites. The following is a list of parameters measured on the CBC with a range of normal values. Values can vary greatly because there are so many different kinds of psittacine birds. There are also differences between juveniles and adults. CBC PROFILE PARAMETER RANGEOFNORMAL VALUES RBC (millions of cells/cu mm) 2.5 – 4.5 PCV % (packed cell volume) 42 – 55 Polychromasia slt (slight) Anisocystosis slt MCV 100 – 200 WBC (cells/cu mm) 5000 – 15000 Heterophils % 40 – 75 Lymphocytes % 20 – 50 Basophils % 0 – 5 Eosinophils % 0 – 2 Monocytes % 0 – 3 Buffy coat % 0 – 1 COMMENTS none Thrombocytes present Page 16 July/August/September 2014 Color clear or pale yellow Total protein (gm/dl) 2.5 – 5.5 Parasites none RED BLOOD CELLS Examination of the erythrocytes provides the veterinarian with information concerning anemia‐related problems and the bone marrow response (which is where RBC’s are produced). In a healthy bird, most RBC’s should be mature, but a small percentage of immature erythrocytesis expected which indicates a normal replenishment from the bone marrow. Immature RBC’s are slightly larger than mature RBC’s and the cytoplasm is lightly stippled which produces a difference in color. ANISOCYTOSIS (size var iation between RBC’s) and POLYCHROMASIA (color variation between RBC’s) are terms used to indicate the presence of immature RBC’s. On the form used to indicate the results of the CBC, a slight(slt) response is normal while moderate or maximum indicates a strong bone marrow response to some type of anemia problem. If a bird is anemic and shows slight to no polychromasia or anisocystosis over a period of several weeks, this can indicate that the bone marrow is depressed or non‐regenerative which is a grave situation. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is a measurement of the average size of RBC’s. The value rises in anemic conditions that are regenerative because newly produced red blood cells increase in numbers and these cells are larger than mature cells. If the value is below normal and the bird is anemic, then this indicates a non‐ regenerative state. Anemia means a decrease in the normal amount of red blood cells. It can be due to either blood loss or lack of production of new RBC’s from the bone marrow. The ratio of the volume of RBC’s to the volume of whole blood is called the PACKED CELL VOLUME (PCV). This numberis expressed as a percentage. It is determined by putting a sample of blood in a tiny collecting vial called a microhematocrit tube. At the laboratory this tube is spun in a centrifuge which separates the red blood cells from the plasma. In a normal, healthy bird, the PCV ranges between 42 – 55%. Small birds such as budgies and cockatiels average 50% or higher while the values in larger species are usually lower, between 42‐ 45%. Any value less than 35% indicates anemia and obviously the lower the value, the more critical the condition. Values higher than 55% are most often caused by dehydration. The actual number of RBC’s can also be counted, using either automated cell counting machines or by manual techniques which provide good estimates. The number of RBC’s is recorded as a number times 10 to the sixth power which means millions of cells per cubic millimeter(cu mm) of whole blood. The normal number of RBC’s varies depending on whether the bird is a juvenile or adult and the kind of bird being examined. In general, most adult, healthy psittacines average around 2.5 – 4.5 million RBC’s/cu mm of blood. As a bird becomes anemic, the number of RBC’s decreases. National Cockatiel Society, Inc. Page 17 WHITE BLOODCELLS White blood cells (WBC’s) are part of the body’s defense or immune system. There are five types of WBC’s found in birds. Heterophils, eosinophils, and basophils are known as granulocytes because they all contain colored granules (tiny spindle shaped bodies) in their cytoplasm. These cells are all produced in the bone marrow. Lymphocytes and monocytes are known as mononuclear WBC’s. These two types of cells have a single nucleus and no granulesin their cytoplasm. They originate in the spleen and in tiny collections of lymphoid tissue found throughout the body as opposed to the bone marrow. During the collection of blood for a CBC, a tiny drop is placed on a glass microscope coverslip. A second coverslip is placed on top and the two are pulled apart creating a blood smear one cell layer thick. Back at the laboratory, this smear is stained with a blue dye which colors the different cells so they can be identified. By looking at the smear under the microscope, the total white blood cell count can be estimated as well as determining the number and relative proportions (%) of the five different types of WBC’s. In addition, the WBC’s can be examined for abnormal characteristics. All these findings are significant in determining whether a bird is fighting some type of disease and how serious it is. WHITE BLOODCELL COUNT The total WBC count can also be determined by physically counting all of the granulocytesin a dilution of whole blood that is stained and put in a cell counting chamber called a hemacytometer. The cytoplasmic granules of these cells are specifically highlighted by the dye which makes them easy to count. By also knowing the percentage of mononuclear WBC’s present from the blood smear, one can arrive at a fairly accurate total WBC count. The normal WBC count can vary from laboratory to laboratory. It is dependent on the staining quality of the smear and the proper identification of cells. In the lab we use, the normal WBC count in adult psittacines varies between 5000‐15000 cells/cu mm of blood. In smaller species (i.e. budgies, cockatiels) the Normal range tends to be lower (5000 ‐10000 cells/cu mm)than in larger species such as Amazons and macaws(12000 15000 cells/cu mm). Juvenile parrots usually have higher WBC counts than adults. It is not uncommon to see counts in the 20000‐25000 cells/cu mm range in large psittacines that are near weaning age. Acrude, rapid technique for estimating if the WBC count is high is by measuring the BUFFY COAT. When the microhematocrittube is spun at the laboratory there is a tiny layer of white cells that separates out at the junction between the red cells and plasma. This is called the buffy coat. In a normal, healthy psittacine bird, the buffy coat should be 1% or less of the total volume of blood. A buffy coat of 2% or higher indicates a high WBC count. 6% is the highest amount our lab has ever measured. An increase in the WBC count is called leukocytosis. A common cause of Leukocytosis is the actual transporting and handling of a bird at the clinic. This is a physiological change due to stress. Disease causes include bacterial and fungal infection, psittacosis, avian TB, trauma, toxicities, and certain cancers, such as leukemia. A decrease in the WBC count is Page 18 July/August/September 2014 called leucopenia. The most common causes of this include acute viral infections and the end stages of overwhelming septicemia (blood poisoning) in which the body literally runs out of WBC’s with which to fight with. The percentage of the different types of WBC’s is called the differential. As stated before, alternations of the differential from the normal range and changes in cell characteristics are significant for various disease conditions. HETEROPHILS The heterophil is the most common granulocyte found in psittacine birds. The normal percentage of heterophilsis between 40‐75%. It is considered the “window to the bird’s state of health” since even subtle changes in numbers and characteristics can occur with problems such as stress, low‐grade infection, and mild inflammation. These cells are instrumental in the body’s defense with incredibly large numbers being available to destroy and engulf bacteria or other infectious agents seen in acute or overwhelming infection and inflammation Heterophils exhibit toxic changes in stress or disease conditions that can be seen microscopically. A low degree of toxicity is called degranulation. This is seen as a decrease in the number and size of cytoplasmic granules and a change in color of the cytoplasm from colorless or light blue to a muddy pink or red color. If degranulated heterophils are seen on the blood smear, this will be noted under the COMMENTS section. If nothing is written, then this means all the heterophils appear normal. Mild degranulation of heterophils can be considered normal in birds under stress. However,this finding should alert the veterinarian that something is going on, especially if the total WBC count is higher than normal. In severe, generalized illnesses, the WBC count may rise above normal with a varying number of the heterophils appearing dark and shrunken. In addition to degranulation, these cells may appear foamy (the presence of vacuolesin the ytoplasm), or to have ruptured. The presence of bacteria may also be evident in the cytoplasm. Such heterophils are described as being toxic. The degree of heterophil toxicity usually increases with the severity of the bird’s condition. Birds having a high degree of toxicity in most or all of their heterophils often have a grave prognosis. This is especially true if leucopenia is present. EOSINOPHILS AND BASOPHILS Eosinophils are similar in appearance to heterophils but can be differentiated by the color and shape of their cytoplasmic granules and the darker staining nucleus. Eosinophils occur in very small numbers with the normal range considered to be 02%. The function of the avian eosinophil is unclear; however, increased numbers are typically associated with parasitic infections, allergic reactions, and significant tissue damage. Changes in cell morphology have not proven helpful. Basophils are easy to identify because of their dark‐staining (basophilic) cytoplasmic granules. They also occur in small numbers with a normal range of 0‐5%. The exact function of the basophil is not known. Increased numbers are often associated with chronic, long term illnesses. They also appear to play a role in the early stages of inflammation. National Cockatiel Society, Inc. Page 19 LYMPHOCYTES Lymphocytes and heterophils are the most numerous WBC’s seen in psittacine birds. The normal proportion of lymphocytesis 20‐50% but it varies between species. Some species such as cockatiels and Amazon parrots are naturally lymphocytic which means more lymphocytes than heterophils are seen normally. Lymphocytes are a very important part of the bird’s immune system. Lymphocytes increase in numbers (lymphocytosis)in certain types of chronic infections and lymphoid leukemia. They decrease in numbers in acute viral infections. In a disease state, lymphocytes will become reactive. Microscopically, the normally pale blue cytoplasm becomes multi‐colored with light blue, clear, and pink areas and the cytoplasm becomes vacuolated (the presence of tiny bubble‐like structures). In chronic conditions lymphocytes with azurophilic (purple) granulesin the cytoplasm have been noted. A few reactive lymphocytes on a blood smear is normal but if many are reactive then this is a significant finding that the body Is responding to an infection of some sort. If reactive lymphocytes are present, this will be noted under the COMMENTS section. Reactive lymphocytes synthesize antibodies and other agents involved in the host immune system. Birds with a marked lymphocytosisin which most or all of the lymphocytes appear abnormal or immature is consistent with leukemia. The WBC count in such birds can be greater than 100,000 cells/cu mm of which most are ymphocytes. MONOCYTES These are the largest WBC’s found in avian blood and they are very similar in appearance to lymphocytes. They occur in small numbers with a normal range of 03%. An increase in the percentage of monocytes (up to 10%) is seen with certain chronic diseases such as psittacosis, systemic fungal infections, TB, and massive tissue destruction. Changes in cell morphology are not significant. The evaluation of the WBC count, the differential, and cell morphology is very useful in the assessment of the progress of an avian patient. For example, a bird with an initial leukocytosis, increased heterophils which appear toxic and reactive lymphocytes would be showing a favorable response to therapy if the total WBC and heterophil counts were decreasing, the toxic heterophils had disappeared, and the reactive lymphocytes returned to normal. THROMBOCYTES Thrombocytes are the third type of cells found in avian blood and these are active participants in blood coagulation or clotting. Birds do not have platelets (cell cytoplasmic fragments) which perform this function in mammals. Thrombocytes are produced in the bone marrow, are slightly smaller than erythrocytes, and are often clumped together in small numbers when viewed on a blood smear under the microscope. In addition to blood clotting, these cells may have the ability to phagocytize (or eat) bacteria and foreign material (like some WBC’s) and they may be able to carry oxygen (like RBC’s) if an extreme anemic condition exists. During the CBC evaluation, the presence of thrombocytesis noted on the form and if the numbers seem decreased or increased, this is also indicated. Increased numbers of reactive thrombocytes can indicate a chronic disease condition. Page 20 July/August/September 2014 PLASMA Plasma is the fluid portion of blood in which particulate components are suspended. Plasma is distinguished from serum which is the cell‐free portion of the blood from which fibrinogen (blood clotting factors) has been separated in the process of clotting. When blood is drawn for a CBC, the cell components need to be evaluated; therefore, the blood must not clot. Heparin is the anticoagulant of choice in birds. The microhematocrit tubes or larger vials used to collect blood for a CBC are heparinized to prevent coagulation. COLOR After the microhematocrit tube is spun at the laboratory the plasma is visually examined for color. In most birds it should be clear or pale yellow in color. The yellow color is due to the presence of carotenes which are yellow pigments found in a variety of plant materials, including some seeds. Yellow colored plasma should not be misinterpreted a sicteric plasma. In mammals, icterus or jaundice is due to increased amounts of bilirubin pigmentsin plasma as a result of liver disease. Birds do not have bilirubin; therefore they do not become icteric if they have liver disease. Sometimes the plasma appears pink in color. This is due to hemolysis which is the breaking apart of RBC’s and the subsequent release of red hemoglobin molecules into the plasma. Hemolysisis most commonly caused by improper handling of blood samples, such as forcibly expelling blood through the needle of the syringe, shaking rather than simply inverting the tube to mix blood with the anticoagulant, over centrifugation, or reezing and thawing of the sample. Some toxicities can cause lysis of blood cells, the most common example being lead poisoning. Occasionally an overwhelming infection causing septicemia will also cause hemolysis. The plasma can also appear white or milky in color which is due to the presence of fat. This is called lipemia. Lipemic plasma is most commonly seen if a blood sample is drawn shortly after the bird eats a meal high in fat(i.e. oily seeds). Sometimes if the bird is excessively overweight, the serum will always appear mildly lipemic. Liver or pancreatic disorders can cause lipemia. Lastly, in female birds that are reproductively active, the plasma will be lipemic due to yolk Globules (fats and protein) which are synthesized in the liver and transported via the plasma to the ovary where they are incorporated in the oocyte. TOTAL PROTEIN While plasma is mainly water, it does contain a substantial amount of protein. Most plasma proteins, with the exception of antibodies and hormones, are synthesized in the liver. Proteins form the basis of organ and tissue structure, operate as catalysts (enzymes)in biochemical reactions, are regulators (hormones), and are the transport and carrier compounds for most of the constituents of plasma. The total protein level in the plasma is often used as an indicator for the health status of the patient. The measurement of total protein is a simple test to run in the laboratory. Most practitioners use an instrument called a refractometer which gives a good estimate of the protein level as long as the plasma is clear. Hemolysis orlipemia will give a falsely elevated level. The normal value for psittacine speciesis in a range between 2.5-5.5 grams/deciliter(g/dl). Low total protein can reflect chronic disease (especially National Cockatiel Society, Inc. Page 21 liver and kidney disorders), cancer, parasitism, long term stress, and starvation or malnutrition. Increased values may indicate dehydration, chronic infection, or leukemia. PARASITES Blood parasites were often found in the blood smears of wild‐caught, imported Birds in years past. However they are extremely rare in domestic‐raised pet Birds that are kept indoors. Blood parasites are transmitted by bloodsucking insects (flies, mosquitoes, or mites) and whether they cause clinical signs of disease is determined by the type of parasite found and the species of bird involved. In general, most blood parasites found in psittacine birds are incidental, will cause no clinical disease, and treatment is usually not recommended. Parasites that invade red blood cells include Hemoproteus, Plasmodium (avian malaria), Leukocytozoon, Atoxoplasm, and Aegyptianella. Of these, only Hemoproteus was commonly seen in wild‐caught psittacines, mostly in cockatoos. Microfilarias are microscopic, immature forms of filarial worms (related to heart worms in dogs) that are found in plasma. They have been seen in a variety of psittacines, especially cockatoos. The adult filarial worms are usually undetected and may occur in the air sacs, thoracic and abdominal cavities, or joints. Surgical removal of adult worms and Ivomectin are the treatments of choice. Page 22 July/August/September 2014 VISUAL SEXING By Julia Allen I’ve been asked if I can tell what a baby cockatiel’s sex might be by experience or clues. Many times we’ve pondered the answer to this question. Sometimes, as breeders, we can determine this by the pedigree of the parents; that is, what the sire may be carrying in his gene pool or as we say, “split to thus and such”. The basic simplest rule of course, if the baby is a sex linked color or mutation other than mother, we can safely say, it is a female. We know this because the father determines the sex linked variations of his offspring. Another simple rule to remember would be that the baby of a sex linked mutation must have a mother the same mutation as it to be a male. However, what if we are not able to determine the sex of the baby because the offspring could be male or female according to the genetic makeup of the parents? Over the years we were given a clue that the baby males have less spots on the flight feathers, that is, the dots on the feathers do not go all the way to the body of the bird. This is a good clue, but alas, is not fool proof. We’ve seen the female baby cockatiel with pale dots going only half the way to the body of the bird. On the other hand, baby cockatiel males have had good-sized dots on wing flights all the way to the body. In the past, we found this out many times the hard way, such as selling a bird and telling the buyer we were pretty sure it was a female or a male because of the dots on the wings or lack of dots on the wings. Well, most of us have progressed way past this old inaccurate determining factor. Is there any way we can really determine the sex of our baby cockatiels? Unfortunately, science is the only accurate way. Somewhere along the breeding experience, I determined the male baby cockatiels and the female baby cockatiels do seem to differ in appearance around the head area. Quite by mistake, I am sure, fooling around and looking for good qualities in my babies, I happen to notice that when I held a baby cockatiel to eye level and looked straight at it’s face, there were differences in the shape of the cockatiel babies’ heads. The males reminded me of “ET” (the old movie outer space character). His head appeared flat and wide on top and the eyes seemed higher on the side of his head and seemed to bulge out a bit from the side of his head, sort of in a triangle-like appearance. In comparing the female baby to the male baby cockatiel, I thought her head was shaped more like a horseshoe, rather than flat as was the male baby’s. Her eyes, seemed closer to her head and just a bit further down on the side of her face than that of the male baby cockatiel. This concept is definitely not scientific nor has it been written up in any books. I find it works for me whenever I ponder the question of whether the baby “tiel is a girl or a boy”. If you try this a time or two with your babies, you probably will notice the difference in your baby cockatiels as well. If by chance that I would every have a baby male with ahead that is similar to a female baby, I probably would sell the baby for a pet! National Cockatiel Society, Inc. Page 23 NCS 2014 Specialty Show August 29 - August 31 NCS QUAD Show Event Weekend, featuring the 2014 Specialty Show and the Double Points Show. (4) NCS Cockatiel Shows – including the Specialty Show, Double Points Show and a Baby Show and (4) NAPS Parrot Shows NCS Judges: Jeff Robinson (Specialty Show), Wendy Lomas Jendro (Double Points Show), Regular NCS Show Julia Allen, Deb Dollar (Baby Show) NAPS Judges: Jeff Robinson, Deb Dollar, Jim Heffernan, Leslie Huegerich September 20 & 21, 2014 Mountain States Avian Society Location: Brighton, CO Adams Co. Regional Park Quad NCS Shows Western Regional Show (Class A) Judge: Clarence Culwell 3 Class C Shows Judges: Josh Maple, Roland Dubuc, Deb Dollar Contact: Gary Morgan Friday, 8/29/14: 6pm (check-in birds at 5:15pm) Baby Show and (1) Parrot Show Saturday: 8/30/14: 7:30am: check-in birds 9:30am – 5pm: Two NCS Shows (including the NCS Specialty Show); Two Parrot Shows Sunday: 8/31/14: 7:30am: check-in birds 9:30am – 2pm: NCS Double Points Show and (1) Parrot Show Page 24 To find hotel information, exact street addresses, information on how to affiliate your own NCS show, etc., please visit: www.cockatiels.org July/August/September 2014 September 27, 2014 Fort Worth Bird Club Location: Cleburne Convention Center Cleburne, TX Class A Show: Judge: Clarence Culwell Contact: Royce Irwin November 1, 2014 Greater Chicago Cage Bird Club Location: Joilet, IL Class A Show, Judge: TBA Contact: Julia Howard November 1, 2014 Texas Bird Breeders & Fanciers Association Location: Mayborn Convention Center, Temple, TX Class A Show, Judge: TBA Contact: Royce Irwin National Cockatiel Society, Inc. September 28, 2014 North Texas Cockatiel Club Location: Hicks Field, Ft. Worth, TX Dual NCS Class A Shows Including the Central Regional Show Judges: Royce Irwin & Sabrina Frizzell Contact: Royce Irwin Baltimore Bird Fanciers Tall Cedars Hall, 2501 Putty Hill Avenue Parkville, MD 21234 October 18 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm DUAL NCS Class B Show Judges TBD For more information, contact: Christine Roberts @ [email protected] or visit us on the web Cockatiel Society of Pakistan November 2 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm NCS Show Event Class B Show – Judge Phil Feret Location: Pakistan, Show Hall TBD For more information, contact: HamidRazashah @[email protected] Page 25 NCS BAND ORDER REGULAR BANDS 25 for $17.25 50 for $28.75 75 for $40.75 100 for $53.00 200 for $103.50 LARGE BANDS 25 for $19.75 50 for $32.25 75 for $45.00 100 for $57.50 200 for $108.00 Band codes must include a two-digit number followed by a letter e.g. (77B). Please select three choices. If none of your choices are available an alternate code will be assigned to you. Bands are numbered 01-25, 26-50, etc. If your first order was 01-25, your second order for the same year would begin with the number 26. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery. NCS Member #________________ Date: _____________ Name:_______________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________ City:_________________________ State: _______ Zip: _______ Email: _____________________________ Phone: ____________ Band Code Choices: 1st: ______ 2nd: _______ 3rd: _______ Band Size: _____________ Bands to begin with number: _____________ Year: _________ Total # of bands ordered: _____________ Amount Enclosed: ___________________ Please send all payments made out to the National Cockatiel Society to: NCS Membership c/o Deb Dollar, Treasurer P.O. Box 12058 Brooksville, FL 34603 Page 26 July/August/September 2014 NATIONAL COCKATIEL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Date: _____________ Name:_________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________ City: ____________________________________ State: ________________________ Zip Code: ________ Phone: _________________________ E-mail: ____________________________________________ 1 Year Membership Single $21.00 _________ Family $26.00 _______ 3 Year Membership Single $55.00 _________ Family $70.00 ________ Internet Membership $9.95 Must apply online at www.cockatiels.org NCS REGISTERED AVIARY $20 includes your registered aviary listed on the NCS website. Advertise your aviary with the most popular cockatiel website on the internet with over 1.6 MILLION hits per month. Registered Aviary: $20.00 year ly Aviary Name: _______________________________________ Website: ___________________________________________ TOTAL ENCLOSED: _____________ National Cockatiel Society, Inc. Page 27 ADVERTISE IN THE NCS JOURNAL Classified line ads: $.30 per word for one time insertion, $7.50 minimum. There is a 5% discount for 4 insertions when prepaid. Ad copy cannot change during this 4-insertion period. Ads MUST contain the owner or aviary name. Make checks payable to the NCS and mail payment to: Deb Dollar, P.O. Box 12058, Brooksville, FL 34603 Please e-mail your ads to: Julia Allen [email protected] (Note: NCS assumes no responsibility for the validity of any Advertiser’s Journal Advertising (Rates per issue subject to change) The Cover Photo and the inside Centerfold are not available to advertisers at this time. Inside Front Cover $150 (color) Inside Back Cover $150 (color) Outside Back Cover $200 (color) Full Page (4.5X7.5) $40 Half Page (4.5X3.75) $25 1/4 or Business Card $15 NCS Print specifications All copy, photos and ads submitted, including the “coverbird” are subject to the approval by the NCS Journal Editor and Ad Manager. NCS Coverbirds should be of exceptional professional quality. The NCS reserves the reprint rights of all photography including, but not limited to, the respective NCS Journal and NCS Online. NCS retains full copyrights on all articles written exclusively for the National Cockatiel Society unless otherwise agreed upon. The NCS Journal is a compilation subject to copyright laws. Page 28 July/August/September 2014
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NATIONAL COCKATIEL SOCIETY JOURNAL
The National Cockatiel Society Journal is the official quarterly magazine of the National Cockatiel Society, Inc. The National Cockatiel Society, Inc. is a non-profit, 501c(3) corporation.
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