My name is Ruud Boxem. I am a birdlover since 1978. Then I have started with keeping and raise birds, among which colour canaries, Mozambique siskin and splendour Rosella's. In 1980, I have submitted an application at the local bird association ‘the winged friends’. During a visit to the show of this association, it became clearly that you needed to choose one certain type of bird, which you wanted to show. 

I had chosen therefore between parakeets, tropics or canaries. The choice fell on the last race and I went on with red collared canaries (agate, Isabel).

In 1985, I visited for the first time the show of the NBVV, which was concentrated in Breda at that time. There I saw for the first time the bigger figure races, which were not yet so much prevented at us in the north. My attention went especially to the Norwich's and the Crested. I also wanted to have these birds in my cage, but when I came in contact with the exhibitors of the birds, my enthusiasm was despaired immediately. The first problem was the distance, the price was much to high, but the largest problem for me was the character of these birds. The exhibitors gave an honest description of these races to me; they said it was one of the most difficult races to raise. Especially the Norwich would not feed their new bourns, so you cannot raise a bird without a foster-parent. They had also no sense to hatch the eggs. It was a bird, which continued, sits on the floor of the cage all day long.

Slightly disappointed I have decided to go on with the raise of colour canaries, until I got an impulse to try something else in 1995. I decided to make a switch from colour canaries to figure races. I bought a couple of glosters to start with. What was especially notable me was the quiet behaviour of these birds. Also growing caused absolutely no problem.

One year later I bought to couples of Norwich's with the idea that it would turn out better than expected, but when the time of raise came by I needed to saw the facts, it is a difficult race. The females did not built a nest and they let the eggs fall as an uncorking. These Norwich's were done of the hand and at another bird-lover 2 couples were bought. These made, however, a nest and they were even brooded, but the result was concerning 2 rounds off only 2 new bourns.

In 1998, I could buy an over one year old female Norwich of a bird-lover in the neighbourhood, which wanted brood. It was a small intensive bird where a large man was coupled. From this couple came a few nice birds and the previous owner had not lain, because the female conducted the young even better than most of my colour canaries. The young females were apprehended for the raise and showed also the good properties of the mother.

From that time I have Norwich females, who feed the young ones by her self and I had absolutely no further problems with these birds. Also the Crested, which I have bought in the meantime, did complete good. The colour canaries have now disappeared from my birdhouse. I only take care of the Norwich en Crested now.

On this website I will show you how I take care of my birds. It is for me already some years a success and perhaps can you there your advantage participate.

My recommendation is: If you have no problems with the raise of your birds, you must change nothing in your working method.