Tri-State Budgerigar Society

08/23/2025

OK everyone……the big show day has arrived!!! We hope to see all you budgie enthusiasts there tomorrow- Saturday, August 23, 2025 in Rahway, NJ!

08/16/2025

2025 Budgerigar Association of America Grand National is exactly a week away!

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08/14/2025

About quail eggs but some very helpful information regarding egg hatching and humidity levels.

HUMIDITY

I just had a super smart quail colleague of mine ask me about the science behind the humidity we incubate and hatch at, and I thought it would make a good post.

Humidity plays a critical role in quail egg incubation because it controls how much moisture is lost from the egg over the incubation period — and that directly affects embryo development and hatch success.

Here’s how it works:

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1. The basics: moisture loss
• Inside every quail egg is a fixed amount of water when laid.
• Over the 17–18 day incubation period, some of that water must evaporate so the air cell (the empty pocket at the fat end of the egg) grows to the correct size.
• The chick uses that air cell for its first breath before hatching.
• Too much or too little water loss can cause serious hatch problems.

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2. How humidity controls water loss
• Relative humidity (RH) in the incubator affects how quickly moisture leaves the egg:
• Low humidity → eggs lose moisture too fast → chicks may be small, weak, or stuck inside the shell because membranes dry out.
• High humidity → eggs lose too little moisture → chicks may be swollen, drown in excess fluid, or have trouble pipping (breaking the shell).

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3. Typical humidity guidelines for quail
• Days 1–14 (setting period): around 45% RH (some breeders use a “dry incubation” approach closer to 40% in humid climates).
• Days 15–18 (lockdown period): raise to 55-60% RH to keep membranes moist during hatching so chicks can turn and push out.

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4. Signs humidity was off
• Low humidity signs: large air cells, chicks shrink-wrapped in membrane, difficulty hatching.
• High humidity signs: small air cells, chicks pipped but drowned, mushy unabsorbed yolk.

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5. Why “lockdown humidity” matters

In the last few days, the chick is using up the last of the egg’s fluids, breathing through the air cell, and preparing to hatch. Extra humidity at this stage:
• Prevents membranes from drying out and sticking to the chick.
• Gives them more time to push free without exhausting themselves.

But remember, having too much humidity at lockdown can also cause serious issues, so you’ll want to monitor closely!

08/14/2025

Our Grand National show in Rahway, NJ is coming up really fast! Here are some reasons why you should be there.

08/06/2025

The club will not be having our first Thursday of the month budgie chat or our regular Sunday meeting during the month of August.

Our members hope that you will be attending our August 23, 2025, BAA Grand National, either as an exhibitor or a person interested in budgerigars. Basic information is on the flier but feel free to reach out if you have any further questions. In addition to BAA Divisions for owner bred and national society banded birds, there will be an Open / Pet Division.

08/02/2025

2025 BAA Grand National August 23 - Awards Banquet Update

07/21/2025

Yes, budgies will eat zucchini! For the first time ever, budgies in a few flight cages were given some zucchini. It was sliced lengthwise and left inner flat side up to give the birds an edge to grab and placed on coffee container lids on the cage bottom with seed crocks. The curious young birds decimated it in less than 45 minutes before the older birds even checked it out!

Like with any vegetables or fruits, just because your birds did not seem to try something the first time you give it, try a few times. Sometimes offering an item in a new way, different place in the cage or a different size, makes the difference in whether it will be tried. Grated carrot or peelings will probably be sampled rather than a slice or chunk. Smaller pieces or chopped foods like kale, chard, broccoli leaves or florets and lettuces might be tried when a large scary leaf or piece might be avoided. Some birds ignore things put on the cage floor and will only try things put in a treat cup by the perch or clipped to the bars, or vice versa. Other birds that are tame may be willing to give whatever you have on your own plate a try.

07/15/2025

The homing pigeon hobbyists among us budgie people will certainly appreciate this article.

Tirur: Travelling over 1000 kilometres, a homing pigeon returned to its owner Rafeeq Salvo, bringing with it a well-deserved crown. In the Open Raced Homer 1000 km category held at Kalyan, Mumbai, Rafeeq’s pigeon secured first place, making it a proud moment ...

07/15/2025

While not budgie related, you may be able to help. This is a horrible thing to have occurred in the town in NJ where the President of our organization resides. Seven geese were killed and left to lay in the roadway. There was a photo but it will not be shared here. People talk or post on social media. If you were driving through the area, you may have seen something or captured the incident on your dashcam. It is likely this is a vehicle that may be driven by someone you know and there would be goose feathers likely still visible on the vehicle and undercarriage.

SPOTSWOOD POLICE PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 07/15/25
Contact: Capt. Edward Schapley C.L.E.O. ([email protected])
Phone: 732-251-2121

Police Investigating Incident Involving a Motor Vehicle and Geese.
SPOTSWOOD, NJ – The Spotswood Police Department is currently investigating an incident that occurred on 07/14/25 at approximately 6:45 P.M. involving a vehicle and a group of geese in the area of Devoe Avenue near the lake.

At approximately 6:45 P.M., officers responded to reports that a motor vehicle had struck multiple geese that were crossing the roadway. Upon arrival, officers located seven deceased geese in the roadway. The vehicle involved had left the scene prior to police arrival.

At this time, it is unclear whether the collision was accidental or intentional. The department is reviewing available surveillance footage from both nearby businesses and residences. We are requesting assistance from any witnesses who may have observed the incident.

Geese are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and any intentional harm caused to them may constitute a violation of both state and federal regulations.

“We take all incidents involving wildlife seriously, especially those that may involve intentional harm to the animals,” said Edward Schapley, Captain, Spotswood Police Department. “We ask anyone with information to please come forward and assist us in our ongoing investigation.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant video footage is urged to contact the Spotswood Police Department at 732-251-2121. Please ask for Det. John Fedak or Ptl. Rizzolo H.L.E.O. officer. No further information is available at this time.

07/12/2025

The Tri-State Budgerigar Society's first ever BAA Grand National Show is August 23, 2025! The last national show in NJ was over 30 years ago! Our cub was established in 1984, putting on our first show in 1991. Members have supported both BAA and ABS shows for years, so we are hoping to see people from both organizations and the general public come support us. All are invited and welcome to exhibit birds! We have a great show and banquet planned. Our presenter on Friday afternoon will be our Judge, John Zerafa from Canada.

Pretty much all information you need is detailed on the fliers but read these reminders.

Show Catalog Ads - Deadline is 7/20 for a full page - cost is $30 - if you are interested in putting something in this fundraiser keepsake, get it to Jo Vargo or tell her what you want so she can pop something up for you.

Hotel - Special booking rate price of $139 to our group ends 7/20.

Saturday Banquet - RSVP and payment deadline for banquet price of $45 is 8/10 - after that the cost is $55. Last RSVP and payment must be received in advance of show by 8/20 - no exceptions!

Bird Entry - Pre-register your budgerigars before 8/20 for discounted fee. Full price after that date and at show - no exceptions - but you may make changes or corrections to the early entered birds. Forms and classes on BAA website. Note that there will also be two club run open / pet divisions to help promote the budgerigar hobby.

Membership - New members always welcome and anyone joining for a 1-or-2-year term, will also receive the rest of 2025 included.

Payments - Checks made out to: Jo Vargo. Contact her for mailing address. You may also use Zelle: [email protected] - which is also the email address to use for reaching either Bob Vargo, Show Manager, or Jo Vargo, Treasurer and person handling show related things. You can also still use [email protected] for me and other club things, like information about the open / pet division.

Marcia Halbert
Pres. TSBS

07/12/2025

Breaking news.....Budgerigar Association of America members you will have this new journal issue in your mailboxes soon! Looks good Relda. If you are not a BAA member and want to become one so you can receive one of these and future issues, here is a BAA membership application for you to join.https://www.baa-us.org/_files/ugd/834bc1_cfccb77251f440209a41c5eee10dd589.pdf

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07/10/2025

So, our next Zoom monthly open budgie chat is, Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 7 pm. EST. The starter topic below will get underway by about 7:10 and it is one that is perfect for our pet people as well as our diehard breeders. After that, budgie conversation can head wherever you all want without hitting political, religious or lifestyle-oriented subjects. The session is open to non-members too and will run about an hour. If you would like to join in, let us know and the link will be sent before the meeting.

Summer Garden and Farm Foods for Budgies –
What do Your Birds Enjoy?

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