Dedicated Fanciers
Long-standing fanciers will recall the 1980 Budgerigar World Championship which was won by a Normal Grey cock belonging to the famous Havenhand and Ruthven partnership from Sheffield. Never before had such a bird been seen of such size and quality, and it ranks among the top five birds ever to be shown in the United Kingdom. The partnership also staged it's brother which remains in the memory, and while today the partners have amicably gone their own ways with their birds, it is fair to say that both of them would still like to breed more such birds again. Issue No 1 of Budgerigar World featured the winner on the front cover and such a bird would still win today - by a country mile.
In recent years, Don Havenhand has had more time available from his business to devote to his passion for the hobby. To have to almost begin again is a daunting task and is not done overnight. It requires patience, dedication and a waiting for the good ones to appear to slowly upgrade the overall quality. I have visited several times and there were a whole host of very good birds that anyone would be pleased to own. I predict this stud will be in the top flight of BS major wins in the next few years. The feather-length, the faces with their depth of mask, and the overall size, are all there. A bit more swank, as Harry Bryan used to insist upon and the rest of us have a problem.
The stud has great depth of quality. There is a strong emphasis on Cinnamons and Normal Skyblues with Greys and the Yellowface factor in evidence, all with wonderful top ends on them. It is certainly a stud to be on your short list if you breed any of these colours yourself
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After improving the stud to a certain level, it was essential to think some four years ago in terms of outcrosses. It was decided to visit Jo Mannes to see what was available. There have been four visits in that time with three Skyblues and one Cinnamon Grey Green being introduced, all cocks. The blues were to add to the original super Grey line still present from the early 80's, to which only a Phil Reaney cock had been added. The Reaney cock, Don claims, was the only really useful bird he had bought during the same period.
To come to more recent times, the Yellowface factor arrived from Jim Mather in Scotland, and speaking personally, there were some very strong specimens there.
Apart from the normal feeding practices we all use, eggs are given every day - shades of Mannes perhaps? Four hard-boiled eggs are just cracked and tossed into the flights daily and they "vanish very quickly", says Don. Hormoform in the finger drawers is standard practice but there are no further additives in the water or elsewhere.
There are 60 cages in the Havenhand aviary, which is extensive when you enter, with a short passage to another section containing cages and two small internal flights some 6 feet in length, but only 2 feet in width. I thought these were very useful, giving me thought for my own establishment. They are perfect for developing current year stock up to say, 6 months of age.
To conclude: I said it earlier and I'll say it again, this stud has a very determined breeder behind it and is impressive. The owner is highly critical of his stock, perhaps still relating to the 1980 winning Grey cock. I kept on telling him he has a very fine stud, only to be greeted with more muttering along the lines that he still wasn't satisfied. This, of course, is the right attitude to take and the attitude of all good breeders should adopt and, to be honest, I do it myself.
Keep the name of Havenhand in mind and watch the showbench over the next few years.
Original text: Copyright 1999, Gerald Binks
Photos: Copyright 1999, Gerald Binks
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