Extract of Cage & Aviary Birds, translation and adaptation of Ghislaine LEJEUNE, with the pleasant authorization of the B.P.C. the BRABANT (Belgium).

Extract of Cage & Aviary Birds, translation and adaptation of Ghislaine LEJEUNE, with the pleasant authorization of the B.P.C. the BRABANT (Belgium).

Harry Dix held and raised Norwich during nearly 60 years. Here, he tells us how he manages his stock.

Aside from the 6 years spent on board the "HMS Cumberland" during the Second World War, I have raised Norwich since 1937. When I began, I also raised some hybrids but I quickly realized that Norwich represented a greater challenge to take up and I decided to devote myself only to them.  I was always fascinated by the type of the Norwich, which can be summarized in a word: COBBYNESS (harmonious stoutness).  With the wire of time, I found that it was quite difficult to produce birds of high quality and I think that those who succeed in raising two to three specimens off line during its existence worked well!

Several years ago, I held carrier pigeons.  My current room is pigeon reconverted: a part of my material went up at the time of my beginnings, such as the supports of square breeding boxes out of wood with their perforated zinc funds. I still use them because they are practical for birds of the size of Norwich. They are enough roomy to shelter the young in full growth. Other very useful accessories are the racks in wire in which one can deposit materials of nesting by hanging them to the fronts cages, as well as the plastic ends which are adjusted with the perches to prevent them from turning at the times of the matings. 

With regard to the general management of my breeding, I always paid a detailed attention to the females because they are the "gold dust" of my stock. I start to bring my birds in condition as of December. At this time, the females are placed in a large birdcage and the males (by groups of three) in double cages of breeding. I seldom use illumination and heating in my room because I prefer that the birds arrive in condition of breeding most naturally possible. Their basic feed is composed of a mixture for Canaris of high quality, accompanied by egg food distributed once per week. This one is increased to twice the week as from February, and at several times per day as soon as the young are in the nests. This food is prepared starting from Rusk, some condition seed, soaked shuttle, the whole being mixed with two or three hard cooked eggs. During the winter, when the females take exercise in the birdcages, it is important to supervise the growth of the plumage which surrounds the cesspool.  If it becomes excessive, it should be shortened. This phenomenon often emerges when the winters are rigorous. However, when the breeding arrives, I cut the excessive feathers around the cesspools of all my birds, males and females and I take care that the nails are cut short.  From January, I plan the couplings on paper in order to know which I will link in April. I believe that that is not worth the sorrow to couple before April because Norwich arrive in condition of breeding more tardily than the varieties of smaller size. In April, the weather is usually better, the days are longer and complementary food such as pimpernel or the dandelion is then available. If you take an earlier departure, the results can be disastrous and your whole season can be ruined. I couple always intensive X schimmel and the subjects with "hard feather" with those with "soft feather" to maintain a high level of quality of the plumage in the whole of my breeding. The color must be well taken into account because I believe that the best results are obtained only when one uses green or mixed birds as bases. The sign of "green blood" can be detected in the lipochrome by blowing on the plumage of the stomach, seeking to see a prime coat more marked than one seldom finds in the young resulting from lipochrome X lipochrome. According to my experiment, Norwich which was high with an aim of a "natural" color lends better to being coloured artificially. In the past, I was accustomed to mixing Spanish red pepper with pâté with egg but during last years, the appearance of Carophyl Rouge facilitated the things and gives to my birds this small basic bit of additional color which draws the attention of the judges.

I try to expose a maximum of time to the local exhibitions, particularly with those organized by SOLENT CBS, CHICHESTER CBS, WORTHING CBS and BRIGHTON & HOVE CBA. Unfortunately, in much of exhibitions on the southern coast, the section allotted to Norwich was only slightly constant these last years, although there are now signs of improvement. If I can encourage more amateurs to adopt Norwich in the area, I would be really happy.