Andre Ozoux 2025

Interview with Sydney NSW Open Breeder and Exhibitor, Andre Ozoux

Tell us a little about your background
I was born in May 1945. My parents lived in Maroubra before moving to Wahroonga in 1960 and I went to OLSH Bowral and then Riverview College finishing in 1962. In early 1963, I went jackerooing for the Australian Agricultural Company and worked my way up to Stud Manager by 1970. I returned to Sydney 1971 to work in the family wholesale wine and spirit business. Joined the Board of Fire Commissioners in September 1977 (later NSWFB and then FRNSW, and retired thirty years later in September 2007) best thirty years of my life, went to work every day with a smile on my face.

What sparked your interest in budgerigars and the hobby?
I was given a pair of budgies in 1952 which I colony bred until we moved to Wahroonga in 1960. My father gave them away to all the kids in our neighbourhood. There were many surprised parents.

How long have you been in the bird keeping
When my wife and I bought our present home in 1979, the Army during the WWII, was billeted at our address and built shower and toilet blocks in the backyard, leaving behind quite a few concrete slabs throughout the property on its departure, so I built two big flights on two of the slabs and bought two pair of birds from the late Peter Skelton.

How many breeding cages do you have at present and how long is your breeding season each typical year?
I have 30 wire cages. I usually pair up in mid-November so the chicks are ready to be rung when the new rings are available, and, breed until late May, early June.

What club do you represent on the show bench and what is one thing you most enjoy about this club?
When buying my first birds from Peter Skelton, he invited me to come to the next Hills Branch meeting in February 1981. I was made a Life Member of the Hills Branch a number of years ago and, recently, was made a Life Member of the BSNSW.

The friendship and the willingness of fellow members to help and get things done, is always there.

What varieties do you keep, and which is your favourite?
Spangles, Normals, Opalines, Cinnamonwings, Inos, Clearbodies, Dominant Pieds and Whitecaps.

Spangles are my favourite. I won my first Logie in SA in 1986 with a Spangle hen and her brother ran second.

What is your favourite moment in the hobby and why?
Winning the Whitecap Logie last year in Launceston, Tasmania, as it was the first time my wife and I were present to accept the Logie. We had been to many Nationals but had not won previously while attending.

If you could choose one bird room anywhere in the world to visit and spend a day in, which would it be and why?
I am content and have two and am staying at home.

• Jeff Leong – I am in awe of what he is doing with his Lutinos (colour and face).
• Troy Holmes – The enthusiasm he has for the hobby and the modern face he put on his stud.

What bloodlines have you used to influence your stud?

• Craig Buckingham
• Gary Gazzard
• Jeff Leong

Who are the top couple of people in the hobby you highly respect and why?

• Craig Buckingham: A friend, who loves the hobby like I do, and always there for me and others.
• Peter Glassenbury: A behind the scene man. Hardly anyone sees the work Peter does mainly on C&S. Just look at your Standard today and that is all down to Peter and his Committee.

What bird do you feel was your best bird and why?
My Spangle hen that won in SA 1986, the following year at the BSNSW Annual, she ran second (Reserve Grand Champion) with 1200 plus entries.

What other hobbies or interests do you have?

• Golf – I play at Strathfield Golf Club, off 21 these days.
• Travel – We enjoyed a trip to Greece and Istanbul last year.
• Reading – I am an avid reader and enjoy many different writers.

What does your aviary setup involve and how have you evolved it over the years as you’ve created new bird rooms?
My original bird room was 3m² and contained 18 wooden cabinets with internal boxes. Today it 8.2 x 5.5 metres.

The breeding room is 3.1 x 4.3m containing 30 wire cages on opposite walls and two sinks and a fridge. There are two flights approximately 4.1 x 1.2m x 2.3m high. I have one other room 3.9 x 2m containing my nappy cage by NCA Custom cages, six large plastic seed bins and four cabinets for show cages and other budgie supplies.

What is one staple medication/preventative medicine you use and what do you use it for?

I use Aviform Ultimate (from Avian Vitality) in the water once a week. I change the water three times a week. All water comes from my rain tank. I don’t give my birds tap water. They have a soft food (carrots, beetroot, mung beans and sweet corn (to which I add Tummy Rite and Feed Enhancer) and seed mix (two small ice cream containers of hulled oats one of peach face and one of greens and grains) to which I add, Fossil Flour, BVM powder, B9 powder and egg and biscuit mixed with the Good Oil.

I dislike finger draws – they are too time consuming and wasteful (birds crapping in them). This only goes to the breeding cabinets and what’s left goes to the flights the next day

What is one issue in the hobby you think can be improved and how do you feel this could be improved?
The cost of setting up, show cages etc. Five or ten more Troy Holmes’ would help

What do you feel is the best piece of advice to provide to any beginner starting out in the hobby or fellow hobbyist?
Latch onto an open breeder in your club who is willing to part with his/her knowledge and, some of their better birds, cheaply. That is what I did with Peter Dodd all those years ago. Great mentor sadly missed.

What do you want to achieve with your budgerigars?
Win four more Logies and get into the Hall of Fame. No harm in dreaming, right?