The Perfect Source

Starting with Yorkies? Once you have considered the when, where and how of adding stock to your set-up, next on your agenda is who to purchase stock from, advises BRIAN KEENAN.

- Brian Keenan

NOW we get to the nitty-gritty of your quest for obtaining Yorkshires: choosing a specialist supplier. It is important to understand that there are no “professional” Yorkshire canary breeders in the UK. Instead, we are all hobbyist breeders who have generally spent a lifetime developing our own unique studs.

Each breeder is aiming at the same thing: a bird approaching the ideal model. But each will see this a little differently and unconsciously place emphasis on different points within the Yorkie’s make-up. The result is that no two breeders’ studs are exactly alike; even partnership birds differ slightly!

From a newcomer’s viewpoint, some of these differences are indistinguishable, but often to more experienced breeders the differences are like chalk and cheese. After joining a specialist club, the next thing to do is visit a specialist show. Armed with your handbook, seek out birds belonging to breeders who live within a realistic “striking distance” of your home to who you are prepared to travel. Your long-term aim should be to develop a relationship with someone who can help you both initially and in the future. If he or she lives within a reasonable distance, so much the better because you will have more chance of multiple birdroom visits!