The Lizard Canary Association

I'm looking forward to starting up with Lizards later this month or early next, with four pairs I have reserved from a breeder. I'm at the stage of planning my shed now, but before I build, since I don't know any Lizard men personally, what I need to know is, just how many hens does the average champion breeder put down to nest each year? I see Border and Fife men with twenty and thirty breeding hens plus, but I have the impression that Lizard breeders keep more nodest numbers. Is my impression correct and if so, what's happening there?

Sean,

I put 7 pairs down last year, didn't have a good year though.

First year i started with 4 pairs just like you, 12 i think is a lot for your average lizard breeder.

Good luck with the birds mate.

darren

Thanks, Darren.

But why should 12 pairs be a lot? Is it because there is no need to maintain lines for the different colours?

Its a good season if you average 5 chicks per hen, so if you have 12 hens that works out at 60 chicks, baring in mind that, idealy, chicks should be moulted out seperately, then you are talking about a lot of cages.

Personally, i think 6 or 8 hens and 3 or 4 cocks will be a nice, manageable team and will/should keep you fairly busy with out it becoming a chore.....

Personally, I wouldn't want more than eight hens exactly for the reasons you give. It just intrigues me why so many breeders seem to get by with smaller outfits than in other fancies - not that I'm complaining - I want a hobby, not a part-time job.

I think that is because the lizard is so close, by that i mean, if you look at a first year novices birds and then look at a champions birds, they are not a million miles apart as in other breeds.
This, of course means there are much less variables to go wrong, thus less birds needs to counter act the wrongs..

Hopethis makes sense.

It does, Steve, thanks. The pieces are beginning to fit together. This is not only a unique wee bird, but also a rather unique fancy full stop. I have more to learn than I thought. I hope I get to some shows this season.

well all the guys and gals on here are top people and will steer you right.