Abstract
The 1978 National Cage Bird show was held in Atlanta, Georgia, and a good time was had by all. Over 1100 birds were benched, including 150 Border Fancy Canaries. The Atlanta area is not known to have a large supply of Borders, so most of these exhibits were brought in from the east and mid west sections of the country.
One of the problems confronting Border Fancy Breeders at the present time is an argument concerning the judging standard to be used. There are two groups, IBFCC (International Border Fancy Canary Club, which is located in the Midwest) and the ABFCC (American Border Fancy Canary Club, with headquarters in the Northeast), who have prepared standards for judging the Border Fancy Canary. Both groups use the same picture standard, (twodimensional) and the same basic word description and point scores for various features of the bird. Both standards restrict the size of the bird to "not more than 51h inches in length." The ABFCC also sponsored a three-dimensional figure for the bird.
Some breeders of the Border Canary are presently trying to change the standard to delete the requirement "not more than 51h inches in length" so that Borders can be shown in any size up to that of a Norwich. The primary reason for this change is reflected in the fact that larger birds are winning shows in England, Scotland, Ireland, etc. I understand that the standard is the same in the English-speaking European countries as it is here in the U.S.A. If this is the case, then judges who make show winners of large Borders (over 5V2 inches long) are cheating on the standard now in effect.
Why is there such an interest in a large bird? The reason is said to be a more pleasing Border with more "substance" of body. It is true, of course, that the larger the bird the more body that can be bred into the species. A 6-inch bird will give more opportunity to breed a more pleasing, prize-winning bird than one of 5'h inches. A 61/z or 7-inch bird will give more opportunity to raise a good bird than one restricted to 6 inches. Where do we stop if we eliminate any restriction as to size?
History in England indicates that when the Border Fancy was of unrestricted length the larger bird won at the shows. Crosses were made with a Norwich and the resulting "working birds" were shown as Borders. Feather structure became loose and long, the Norwich brow was common, and heavy bodies were in vogue. The jaunty, middle-sized Border that we know now disappeared from the show bench. The English Standard was then reduced to "not more than 5V2 inches in length."
It is tough enough to breed good Borders to the restricted standard we have now. Think ahead to the problems that would abound if we went to 7-inch Borders. What was a good Border for one judge would not be large enough for another and, strangely enough, they would both be right. The breeder would have a hopeless task and would put a large cock to a small hen hoping for a variety of size in the offspring. This would not seem to be a very scientific approach to breeding.
So our present judging standard for the Border Fancy Canary is listed for the Fancier and is the same for both IBFCC and ABFCC. Many American judges pick a bird larger than 5V2 inches long. I judge by the standard we have now and will do so until it is changed. Change should only come if a majority of Border breeders in the U.S.A. are in favor. It is fine to cooperate with the approach taken by our European neighbors, but I feel that the American breeders should decide changes on their merits and not blindly follow programs set up overseas.
Border Fancy Judging Standard Borders
Scale of Points
HEAD, Small, round and neat
looking 10 pts.
BODY, Back and chest well filled
and nicely rounded 10 pts.
WINGS, compact and carried close to
the body, just meeting at the tips . 10 pts.
LEGS, of medium length, showing
little or no thigh 5 pts.
PLUMAGE, close, firm and fine
in quality 15 pts.
COLOR, Rich, soft and pure 10 pts.
TAIL, Close packed and narrow 10 pts.
POSITION, Semi-erect, standing at
60° angle 10 pts.
CARRIAGE 10 pts.
HEALTH, Condition and cleanliness . 10 pts.
TOTAL 100 pts.
As the l 978 Judge for the Border Fancy at the Atlanta National Show, I attempted to restrict the winners to the required length. Some very good, over-sized birds were not considered. The result was that some breeders were happy and some were sad. The winners were happy with me, the Judge, and the losers were mad at me. What else is new? We cannot all be winners all the time and I guess our only condolence is that there will be a new and better judge next year.
After l 5 years of judging bird shows I have to come to three conclusions: (I) The breeder can never be objective about his own bird. (2) Many bird breeders have never before been in competition and therefore do not know how to lose. (3) As a judge, my only responsibility is to satisfy myself that I have done my best under the circumstances.
A medium-sized self green Border won the l 978 Kellogg Trophy and it was later the winner of the Scannell Award as the Best Bird in the National Show. It was the property of Robert Morrison of Detroit, Michigan. It was his first Border Canary Kellogg winner. He should be congratulated on raising a fine bird.
Maybe by the time the 1979 National Show comes around the IBFCC and ABFCC will have arrived at a mutually agreeable compromise which will change the present standard, hopefully for the better, and will present the written version of that compromise to all Border Breeders. If no written changes are made, then I hope all judges will unite behind the standard we have now and will choose the best bird that conforms to that standard.
Atlanta, the home of National Show President Ray Johnson, put on a very successful National Show and we hope to see all of you in Los Angeles, California, in 1979.