The first steps of a champion !

My Journey With The Gloster Canary

by Victor Scerri !

Whether on a documentary, in a natural resource, or in a bird room, birds always gave me a particular sensation. With the gloster canaries it was love at first sight. Back in 2008 I started the journey alongside the glosters with 4 pairs. At this time my mind-set was, it’s just a hobby! With no previous experience, the first breeding was not so encouraging with only 5 chicks bred. I had no idea about trimming of vents and anti-mite treatment. Though, these chicks meant the world to me. The following year, 2009, the stock increased to a total of 10 pairs out of which I bred 36 young ones. The enthusiasm was on a high note and so I chose to put my birds on the show bench. During my first showing, organised by the Maltese Gloster Breeders Society my birds won 4 places. Year after year the breeding pairs gradually increased. Results on the show bench were satisfying and encouraging. This included promising placings such as Best Novice yellow, with a consort hen.

This was the time where I asked myself where I really wanted to go. After some research and advice, I decided to contact Mr. Ian Wright this was in 2012. We discussed my birds and explored the possibility of introducing his birds’ bloodline within my stud. Over a 3 years plan I introduced 7 pairs from Ian Wright. Both Ian and his father Rob were always a genuine helping hand and continuously followed the improvement of my stud. Both Ian and his father Rob visited my bird room.

Seeing the gloster from another perspective, I planned to improve the conditions of my bird room. In 2013 I moved the birds to a new room which can hold up to 50 pairs. The new room consists of 52 breeding cages, out of which 12 can be used as flights, LED tubes and a light dimmer, 2 inline extractors of 5inch and 3ft window which I leave open all year round. The second step was to introduce the second bloodline. Again, after some research and advice I contacted Mr. Rene Alsemma. Knowing what additions I needed for my stud, I introduced two pairs of gloster pairs from Rene Alsemma.

The glosters which I introduced from abroad brought heavy criticism from local breeders. At times I seriously considered quitting the hobby as it was crystal clear that the hobby became a business opportunity for some breeders. Nonetheless, I continuously saw progress amongst my birds which was also accompanied with great results on the show bench. My birds were regular winners, with several bests and back to back winning the Malta Glosters Breeders Society Challenge Cup Annual in 2016 and 2017.

2017 was the year where I started the journey amongst the Champions Section. Competition was harder and expectations were higher. It was about time to know where the quality and standard of my glosters really stood. Good pairing, successful breeding season and lot of patience during the moulting season were the components of a successful first time showing amongst the Champion Section. Winning 9 classes, Best Cinammon and Best Gloster in Show were the first results in the National All Gloster Show. This was unexpected and amazing!

As always, hard work pays off. A few months ago I received a message from Mr. Edward Loughran who offered me the possibility to judge at the Humberside Gloster Show. Judging is never easy and so was my decision. Following support and encouragement by local fanciers and Mr. Dave Rands and Trevor Gottard, I decided to take the challenge. After all there’s always a first time!

Breeding quantity of glosters is not easy and breeding quality glosters is even harder. It requires time, patience, good selection, setting targets and passion for the hobby. The beginning is never easy however not it is not hard to breed quality glosters