A Mini Mynah

It flew a curving line up into the clear cold sky.   Without a backward glance.   As free as the bird it is - gone, gone, GONE!   So much for all my nurturing over the previous months.

Earlier in the year my daughter had come running down from the hayshed calling out that there were some baby birds lying injured on the ground.   Ever a sucker for animals in distress I went to investigate.   Three wee blind, featherless chicks of indeterminate breed.   One was dead, one had a twisted leg and the other had crawled several metres out by the driveway.   Back to the house they came and were put into a small box lined with soft cloth and hay.

 Looking at their beaks I realised they were probably meat eaters so mashed up some cat meat with gravy and starting feeding them every half hour.   At night they were put in the hot water cupboard.   In the morning the chirping began as soon as they saw light.   This went on for just over a week before the weaker one with the bad leg died - fortunately perhaps as I didn't think I could mend it.   But as for the other - it thrived.   A tiny bit of Farex was added to its diet then crushed cat biscuits softened with water.   It thrived.   The eyes opened, down appeared on its little body and it would nestle quietly in my hand while feeding.   It thrived.   Feeding times became more spaced out and a bigger box was needed to allow it more room for its gangling legs.   By now it was obvious it was a mynah.

Time passed, the bird grew and real feathers started to appear.   Now it wanted to flap them so it was moved to a large bird cage during the day.   This was put in a spare bedroom so that it could experiment with its wings outside the cage.   As it became more mobile a couple of branches were put in the cage to encourage it to perch.   It began to perch on my hand, then my shoulder and with the full development of its wing and tail feathers it would flutter short distances around the room.The cage was moved back to the garage and came the day that it jumped out and flapped its way clumsily to one of the rafters.   This became a daily exercise for it.   It also delighted in splashing around in a sink of shallow water.

Finally it was time to let my fully feathered friend discover the great outdoors.   By now it would keep flying back to me so I was confident this would continue outside.   Maybe it could help me in the garden by cleaning up all those lovely bugs.   Taking a big breath and with bird on my shoulder I opened the side door to the garage.   A rush of air as it took off and within seconds it had disappeared from sight!   For two days the little bird was nowhere to be seen or heard and I just hoped it had not met with some horrible fate in the form of a hawk, wild cat or even the magpies which frequent the garden.  Then one morning I saw a Mynah fly into a tree up behind our house.   I called it and although it did not respond nor did it fly away.   The next morning the same thing happened but this time I whistled and the bird came down to a tree near me.  

With a bit more cajoling in the form of whistles and talking quietly it eventually alighted on my shoulder.   No mistake.   This was my bird!   Since then, the Mynah has made its home in the garage which it can fly into or out of as it likes.   Although it can fend for itself there is a small dish in the garage which has a daily piece of dog roll meat, some fish-flavoured chook pellets and cat biscuits softened with a bit of water - just as a top up.   Known as Dickeybird or The Vandal, depending on what it is doing the Mynah's curious nature is evident in the way it likes to "get involved" with whatever we are doing.   Nuts and screws get picked up and dropped further away in the workshop, pieces of paper are snatched off a bench and anything hanging loose is fair game.   Visitors are warned that they may find a small passenger suddenly perched on their shoulder or head.  

The bird also likes exploring the various vehicles on the farm..........

and trying to come into the house.



We find ourselves going through a range of emotions with this small addition to the "family" from entertainment to frustration depending on its antics.   Would I do it again - raise an orphan?   Of course.

As they say - a bird in/on/near the hand is worth two/three/or more in the bush.

Know Your Genes

For everyone interested in genetics Southern Beef Technology Services in Australia is running a series of Webinars over six weeks which are free to take part in.   These started on Monday, June 20th, 2011 - New Zealand time 10 pm.

Topics being covered are:

1. DNA Technology - Understanding the Basics
2. Utilising DNA for Parentage Verification
3. Managing Genetic Conditions with DNA
4. Utilising DNA to Change Type Traits
5. Improving Production Traits with DNA
6. Assessing the Cost-Benefit of DNA Technology

The fourth webinar should be of particular interest and use to anyone wanting to breed polled Miniature Herefords.

You can register by going to http://sbts.une.edu.au/ and clicking onto the Webinar section.

Having already taken part in previous webinars I can recommend these as being well worth attending.

Results of First Virtual Cattle Show For Miniature Herefords - June 2011

With eleven competitors from Australia, the United States and New Zealand and a total of sixty-three entries across the twelve classes this has been a small but successful start to a new type of showing.   There has been enough positive feed back to warrant holding it again next year and it seems the month of June is probably the best time but this will be confirmed.   The programme will be much the same but with a few adjustments to bring it in line with more serious competitions.   There will also be an effort to find sponsors from each of the competing countries who could supply real prizes to the place getters.

A common comment was the appreciation of being able to view Miniature Herefords of similar ages in the different countries.   This gives current and aspiring breeders new ideas for developing and improving their own breeding programmes.   A sharing of experiences is always helpful.

Results of the twelve classes are:

Class 1 -  Senior Cow 3 yrs and over with calf/calves at foot

             2nd - SS Miss Elizabeth and calf.






1st AMH Babette and calf.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

3rd - Grovenorth Abby and calf

1st - AMH Babette and calf.   Julie Stott, New South Wales, Australia.
2^nd – SS Miss Elizabeth and calf.  Charlotte and Steve Williams, Texas, USA
3^rd – Grovenorth Abby and calf.  Janet Poole, Northland, New Zealand


Class 2 - Junior Cow 2 yrs with/without calf/calves at foot

1st - WW Golden June                                                              2nd - AMH Doretta   
                                                                                                           

3rd - Boomer Creek Katie and calf         

1st  - WW Golden June.   Charlotte and Steve Williams, Texas, USA
2^nd – AMH Doretta.  Julie Stott, New South Wales, Australia
3^rd -  Boomer Creek Katie and calf - Joy Walters, Tasmania, Australia

Class 3 – Yearling Heifer

          
                1st - Boomer Creek Marilyn                                         2nd - Riverlets Sparkler


                                   

                                                          3rd - O5's B=Day Joy

1^st -  Boomer Creek Marilyn - Joy Walters, Tasmania, Australia

2^nd – Riverlets Sparkler – Janet Poole, Northland, New Zealand

3^rd - 05’s B=Day Joy – Charlotte and Steve Williams, Texas, USA

Class 4 – Heifer Calf

1st - WW Tinker Bell


                                                                                                   2nd - Ruzak Park Kraka      
                                                                                                                          

3rd - Grovenorth Delilah       

1^st – WW Tinker Bell – Charlotte and Steve Williams, Texas, USA

2^nd – Ruzak Park  Kraka -  Carole Steele, Oamaru, New Zealand

3^rd – Grovenorth Delilah – Alistair Hargrove, Northland, New Zealand

Class 5 – Senior Bull 3 yrs and over

1st - Baringup Billy the Kid                                                        2nd - Boomer Creek Jonno
                                                       
                                                                   

                                                        

                                                              3rd - Boomer Creek Jumbo

1st - Baringup Billy the Kid - Jennie Menzies, NSW, Australia

2^nd –  Boomer Creek Jonno – Joy Walters, Tasmania, Australia

3^rd – Boomer Creek Jumbo – Julie Stott, NSW, Australia

Class 6 – Junior Bull 2 yrs

             1st - WW Sam's Gold E                                                 2nd - Ensedemash Energy

1^st – WW Sam’s Gold E – Charlotte and Steve Williams, Texas, USA

2^nd – Ensedemash Energy – Janet Poole, Northland, New Zealand

Class 7 – Yearling Bull

                2nd - WW Tom Thumb

1st - Boomer Creek Lyle

                                                        3rd - Ruzak Park Digger

1^st – Boomer Creek Lyle – Joy Walters, Tasmania, Australia

2^nd – WW Tom Thumb – Charlotte and Steve Williams, Texas, USA

3^rd – Ruzak Park Digger – Janet Poole, Northland, New Zealand

Class 8 – Bull Calf

1st - Boomer Creek Impact                                     2nd - WW Prince William

                                                       3rd - Riverlets Patrick

1^st – Boomer Creek Impact – Joy Walters, Tasmania, Australia

2^nd – WW Prince William – Charlotte and Steve Williams, Texas, USA

3^rd – Riverlets Patrick – Janet Poole, Northland, New Zealand

Class 9 – Group Entry

    
                  2nd - Group of Bulls and Heifers



1st - Family Trio                                                                                                                     

                                                          3rd - Frodo and Friends

1^st – Family Trio – Julie Stott, NSW, Australia

2^nd – Group of Bulls and Heifers – Jennie Menzies, NSW, Australia

3^rd – Frodo and Friends – Joy Walters, Tasmania, Australia

Class 10 – Scenic Photo including Miniature Herefords


                                     

                                                     1st - Cattle in Bushland

                           

                             


                                              2nd - Cattle near the seaside

3rd - Cattle in Hill Country

1^st – Cattle in Bushland – Jennie Menzies, NSW, Australia

2^nd – Cattle near the seaside – Joy Walters, Tasmania, Australia

3^rd – Cattle in the Hill country – Janet Poole, Northland, New Zealand

Class 11 – Entertainment with Miniature Herefords

1st - "Go ahead, make my day!"     

2nd - "Wonder how much bull power this has?"                3rd -  "Watch my tail!"


1st - "Go ahead, make my day!" - Ruth Blaikie, Northland, New Zealand

2^nd – “Wonder how much bull power this has?” – Julie Stott, NSW, Australia

3^rd – “Watch my tail!” – Charlotte and Steve Williams, Texas, USA

Class 12 – Viewers’ Choice

       1st - Miniature Hereford Enthusiasts                               2nd - Never too young to start

3rd equal - Four Young Ladies                                                    Mother and Child

Evening Supper

1^st – Miniature Hereford Enthusiasts – Kirstie Kasch, Texas, USA

2^nd – Never too young to start – Charlotte and Steve Williams, Texas, USA

3^rd Equal – Four Young Ladies – Alistair Hargrove, Northland, New Zealand

                    Mother and Child – Julie Stott, NSW, Australia

                    Evening Supper – Jennie Menzies, NSW, Australia

A big thank you to all who took part, all who helped organize and run the event, the Judges and all who gave us useful feedback for another show.   For those of you who would like to compete next year start taking photos now.   A hint from the Judges was that three photos comprising side view, front and rear made their job easier as they had a more ‘complete’ picture of the animal.   The schedule of classes can be seen on www.amhbn.com with minor alterations shortly.   If the numbers grow we may have to look at running Regional, National and then a final International Virtual Show with place getters from each going on to the next competition.

Remember, it is open to anyone who is a Miniature Hereford enthusiast providing you meet the entry criteria for the classes.

First Virtual Cattle Show Small But Successful

The months of preparation paid off with eleven competitors from around the world taking part and sixty-three entries over all the twelve classes.   From various avenues of feedback it looks like it is to become a fixture with more people wanting to take part next year.

Great photos were sent in and all were published on the Australian Miniature Hereford Breeders Network website in their respective classes.   The effort made to present the cattle as well as possible showed and this led to interesting discussions regarding the similarities or differences of same age animals.


      Senior Bull from New Zealand                   Senior Bull from Australia

Two Judges from New Zealand and two from Australia had the task of making choices along with the Viewers' Choice poll which was an effective way of selecting place getters.   Although no prizes were available for this first internet show it is hoped to find sponsors in the countries to which competitors belong who will provide some form of awards next year.   The complete list of this year's place getters will be seen on the AMHBN website at http://www.amhbn.com/ .

The Scenic class had some beautiful photos which showed the type of country some of the Miniature Herefords are in.   For next year maybe photos at different times of the year will reinforce the claim that the Hereford breed is capable of surviving almost anywhere.                        


                  Minis in the NSW bush                                       Minis browsing in Tasmania

Photos in the Entertainment class evoked much laughter.   The easy temperament of the Hereford was obvious here as the animals seemed quite unfazed with their situations.   A great recommendation for owning this smaller version of the Hereford breed especially for lifestyle blocks and for encouraging youth participation in showing and breeding.

                              
       Go on - make my day!  (NZ)                                         In the (dog)box - Tasmania               


Willingness of people on both sides of the Tasman and from further overseas to become involved with this new way of exhibiting their Miniature Herefords was a big help to the organisers and has shown others that anyone can take part.   You don't need to be a professional photographer and many "on the spot" photos turn out to be one in a million.   An advantage is being able to handle or get near your cattle, not just for showing purposes but also for their every day management.


                   
Never too young - 3 year old handler           Never too old - 16 year old Mum and calf
                 (USA)                                                                          (NSW)

In the future, if numbers grow, it may be necessary to look at holding a series of Virtual Shows leading up to the one major show.   That could be in the form of Regional Shows with the place getters going forward to a National Show and likewise the place getters from that taking part in an International Show.   Each country could be responsible for holding their own Virtual Shows but would be assisted in setting them up.   The International Show could then be run by a panel of representatives drawn from the different countries.   Anyone connected with Miniature Herefords will be able to take part regardless of whether or not they are affiliated to an association providing their entries meet the established criteria.

     

Sale Section

                                                    GROVENORTH ALFIE - born 31/10/07




This bull is now for sale after siring numerous progeny in a small unregistered Hereford herd.   He is a pedigree, registered Miniature Hereford bull measuring 120.3cm which puts him in a Frame Score of 1.   Suitabull either for stud purposes with a Miniature Hereford breeder or as a terminal sire over dairy heifers.   Priced at $1200.00 without papers or $1500 with papers from breeder.   Please contact riverlands27@ubernet.co.nz or Ph: (09) 439 2420.