After a great day at Stafford I returned to the bird room to fill the two free cages.

I've noticed that after the snow and generally awful weather the birds have really perked up with the arrival of the lighter, warmer weather. Although we heat and provide lights in the aviary I do think that the birds still know what the conditions are really like outside. Anyone else had the same experience/feeling?

After much deliberation I decided on two cocks that I have recently acquired.

A Golden Face Double Factor

Was paired to this Cobalt Spangle hen

The reason for the pairing in my eyes was that I want double factors to increase the choice of spangles I have and the hen has nice spots so I am hoping that the DF's won't be masking poor spots. She also has more feather than he does which I hope will come out in the chicks. It's funny how looking at the pairing via photos outside of the bird room gives you a different perspective! It's also nerve wracking knowing who is likely to look at this post!

And this Sky Spangle was paired to a normal grey green hen. The hen is one of my best and again is more buff feathered as the cock has a tighter feather. His breeding is excellent, his father being the full brother to a bird that did very well at the Club Show. They also both have Mannes blood in the background, and not about 20 generations back either!

I appreciate that the first pairing will not be to everyone's liking, but being obsessed by spangles it feels exciting to me! I understand that I won't progress as quickly as some in the hobby by having this preference for one variety and acting on it when pairing, but to be honest I don't care as I'm not in a hurry and good spangles need good normals/opalines and cinnamons in the making in my opinion so I won't end up with a flight full of spangles!

This does raise another point that I found a little frustrating when I first started, that is the assumption that everyone wants to show their birds. To be honest I am really breeding for me, but sure I will show at some point as I like to know that I am heading in the right direction, but it is definitely not the be all and end all.

Will let you know how the new pairs get on! Any comments on the pairs very much appreciated, it would be good to know someone is reading the random thoughts of a beginner!

Cheers

Simon