Keith Flockhart NZ 2026

From a modest backyard aviary in the early 1980s to more than four decades of breeding, exhibiting, judging and service to the Budgerigar Fancy, New Zealand’s Keith Flockhart has enjoyed a lifetime of involvement with exhibition budgerigars.

A long-serving secretary, Bulletin editor, historian, senior judge and life member of the Budgerigar Society, Keith’s contribution to the hobby extends well beyond his own breeding room. His practical approach to keeping birds, willingness to experiment with varieties and enjoyment of judging have remained central to his involvement over the years.

In this edition of ANBC Fancier in Focus, Keith reflects on his beginnings in the hobby, the lessons learned along the way, his approach to breeding and feeding, and his many years of service to the New Zealand Budgerigar Fancy. He also shares an insight into life beyond the birdroom, including his enthusiasm for competitive walking and the challenges of balancing his hobbies with recent health issues.

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From a Basic Aviary to a Lifetime in the Fancy

My interest in budgerigars began in the early 1980s when I decided to build either an aviary or an orchid house.

“The aviary won!”

– Keith Flockhart

My father had kept birds, including colour canaries, and I used to look after them when Dad went on holiday. However, I decided canaries were not for me, so I turned my attention to budgerigars.

My set-up has always been fairly basic, consisting of an aviary with three or four flights, concrete floors and a full roof. The birdroom contains 12 breeding cages with external nest boxes, along with three holding or weaning cages.

An Early Lesson in Aviary Security

In my third year in the hobby, I learned an important lesson about aviary construction.

My original design had fine chicken mesh running the full length of the front of the flights. Unfortunately, a dog tore into the aviary and decimated my birds.

The only survivors were six birds housed separately in holding cages, as they had just been taken to a show.

I had four cocks and two hens left, so I paired each hen with a different cock for a round of breeding. With no time to purchase additional birds, I had to make the best of the situation.

Following that experience, I replaced the chicken mesh with welded mesh and added solid plywood to the lower outside sections of the flights. This made the aviary much more secure against dogs and vermin.

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My Approach to Breeding and Feeding

I never originally intended to show my birds. I joined the local club because I wanted to learn more about budgerigars and improve my knowledge.

After about a year, I began showing, eventually becoming assistant show manager and later show manager.

My approach to breeding and keeping has remained fairly straightforward. I am happy to breed enough birds to produce around 30 to 40 chicks, rather than trying to produce large numbers.

I believe the most important things are to ensure birds are protected from the weather and other adverse conditions, and that they always have access to good-quality feed and clean water.

A Straightforward Feeding Program

I feed plain canary seed and millet in separate hoppers in both the flights and breeding cages. The birds vary their intake, particularly when breeding and raising chicks.

I make my own soft food, using protein powder, rolled oats, chicken crumble, calcium powder, arrowroot biscuits and malt biscuits.

These ingredients are blended together, packed and stored in the deep freezer, apart from the quantity currently being used. This helps keep the food fresh and reduces the risk of attracting vermin or mites.

When preparing the food, I mix it with carrot and broccoli that have also been put through the blender. Whole oats are added just before feeding.

The birds also receive greens such as silverbeet and chickweed, tree branches, and seasonal treats including sweetcorn and beetroot.

Health and General Management

Water is generally provided plain, although I regularly use additives.

With a closed aviary, the risk of problems associated with wild birds is limited.

I also carry out routine worming, usually in autumn. I do not routinely use antibiotics or veterinary services.

If a bird becomes unwell, I separate it from the others and give it an opportunity to recover, provided its condition allows.

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Service to the Budgerigar Society and Judging

Over the years, I have been fortunate to contribute to the Budgerigar Society in several roles.

I served as secretary for approximately ten years and also took on the responsibilities of Bulletin editor and historian.

I was awarded life membership many years ago, an honour I greatly appreciate.

I have been a budgerigar judge for around 30 years, spending much of that time as a senior judge and serving on the Judges Advisory Panel.

Judging is an aspect of the hobby I have always particularly enjoyed.

Unfortunately, I suffer from dust-induced asthma, which seems to come and go.

Over the past ten years or so, this has meant limiting the number of shows I attend.

Most of the shows I do attend are those at which I am judging, with my own exhibiting largely restricted to the number of shows required to maintain my judging status.

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Working with Fallows and Looking Ahead

I have always been interested in experimenting with my breeding programme.

At one stage, I spent considerable time working with fallows, a variety that had almost disappeared from the birds available to me.

My interest developed after I found a pet hen that was probably about half the size of a typical exhibition budgerigar.

From there, I made some good progress with fallows.

As I gradually reduce my bird numbers, however, it becomes more difficult to specialise in particular varieties.

These days, I tend to concentrate on the various normal colours, although I am still happy to experiment with my breeding methods.

As I approach the later stages of my involvement in the hobby, I appreciate the opportunity to try different things and continue learning from the birds.

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Life Beyond Budgerigars

Budgerigars are only one part of my life.

I am also involved in volunteer work at our local farming fieldays and Hamilton Zoo.

Outside these commitments, I enjoy playing bowls and participating in competitive walking events, both on roads and trails.

I have tackled distances of up to 54 kilometres in ultramarathon events, although half-marathons are my preferred distance.

Over the past eight years, I have completed 45 half-marathons, with a reasonable degree of success.

These activities have provided plenty of variety and enjoyment alongside my involvement in the budgerigar fancy.

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A Temporary Change of Pace

A serious medical issue has recently resulted in me spending a couple of weeks in hospital.

This will inevitably affect my hobbies over the coming months and may influence how I manage this year’s breeding season.

At present, my wife is looking after the birds while I am unable to do so myself.

She would not normally have much interest or involvement in my budgerigars, but she has stepped in and is doing a great job.

Phil has also kindly helped by checking the birds and ringing some of the chicks, for which I am grateful.

For now, I need to concentrate on my recovery and take things as they come.

“My birds have been a major part of my life for more than four decades, and I look forward to seeing how things progress when I am able to return to my usual routine.”

– Keith Flockhart

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A Lifetime of Enjoyment in the Fancy

From his earliest days with a basic backyard aviary to decades of involvement as a breeder, exhibitor, show manager and senior judge, Keith Flockhart’s story reflects the dedication and commitment that sustain the Budgerigar Fancy.

His years of service, including his contribution as secretary, Bulletin editor, historian and member of the Judges Advisory Panel, demonstrate the important role volunteers play in supporting the hobby.

Keith’s willingness to experiment with varieties, share his knowledge and continue learning from his birds remains an important part of his journey.

The Australian National Budgerigar Council thanks Keith for sharing his experiences and wishes him all the best with his recovery and continued enjoyment of the birds.

Keith Flockhart

New Zealand

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Editor’s note: Breeding, feeding and health-management practices described in this profile reflect the personal experiences of the featured breeder. They do not necessarily represent official ANBC recommendations or veterinary advice.