Keeping Records
"Absolutely the MOST important thing to the quality and future of Dove Keeping is Banding and Record Keeping!"
"With my collection of birds, I use a few very simple forms to track my initial Band Orders (Band Chart) and the Daily activity of individuals and pairs (Cage Cards). I then transfer this information to and use a very complex, but easy to use, software program that allows me to track and report on anything I have ever wanted to know about my birds and my hobby."Here you will find examples of methods and charts as well as descriptions of software programs that can help you with your Record Keeping. Many of these I have used personally and will note as such. I have nothing to do with the software companies and receive nothing from them for reviewing their products. This is simply for your information and you are free to copy or modify any of the charts that I provide.
The Basic Records to Keep "As a minimum, you should record and track the following." 1) Band Numbers with Bird Descriptions and Histories.
2) Pairing Information as Cage Cards and/or Notebook form.
Band Numbers:
I keep Split Bands on hand all the time to Band birds that I receive that are not banded and to catch birds that were not banded as young. I also order Seamless Bands each year to Band my young produced within that year. As my bands arrive, I list all the numbers in groups of styles and sizes on my Band Chart. As I use the Bands, I go back and fill in the rest of the information (Leg Banded, Bird Type, Parent Pair, Date Hatched and/or Cost) on the chart. Additional information such as Sex, Date Sold and Other Notes are filled in as known.
[Follow the link at the bottom of the page to see the sample.]Pairing Information:
I keep Cage Cards in plastic sleeves on each of my breeding and holding cages. I keep Sheets for each of the outdoor flights on a clipboard. If the cage or flight is for holding unpaired individuals or young birds recently fledged, I will list the band numbers and any notes pertaining to the individuals. If the cage or flight is for breeders, I will have a Cage Card or Sheet for each breeding pair. Keep a pencil with you on in the room and you can easily slip the card out and record anything you observe.[The plastic sleeves can be found at or ordered from most large Office Supply stores such as, Office Max, Office Depot, Staples, etc. The item identification from the manufacturer is: "This plastic envelope a product of Joshua Meier Corp., North Bergen, NJ, #PA-4, Insert Size 4x6]
I have a copy center place 4 of the cage cards on the front of a paper sheet. On the back of the sheet I have them fill the sheet with straight lines. I then have them run off a number of these sheets, front and back, on heavy stock paper. They then cut the sheets into 4 individual cage cards with lines on the back for extra notes.
[Follow the link at the bottom of the page to see the sample.]At least once a year I would transfer the Cage Card information over to 8 1/2" x 11", notebook sheets that are laid out the same way. The notebook sheets allow for more information to be recorded and help to keep the year to year information in a neat and clean format. (Cage Cards sometimes get messy.)
[Follow the link at the bottom of the page to see the sample.]
I still use the Band Chart for all the bands I have and get in. I also still use a Cage Card or Cage Sheet for each cage and flight I have birds in. I do however now transfer all the information into a computer software package. I have used a few different packages over the years, however for my needs and desires AviMate is by far the most complete software package I have found for the keeping and breeding of birds. It is not cheap, but does everything and is adaptable!
Computer Software Packages:
MyBirds - (Less than $100) This program expands well in all categories to much greater detail while adding Pedigrees. (I originally used to this one due to the expanded details and pedigrees.)
Loftmaster 2000 - (Less than $100) (Racing Loft) This program is much better suited for the Racing Loft. The Free version keeps records for up to 20 birds. For larger lofts, the program costs under $100.
** AviMate ** - This software program, priced under$200, was originally set up for Hookbill Breeding. However, this program can be completely customized to any species kept and is impressive in its detail and topics covered. **(I currently use this program and cannot recommend it enough if you want to keep detailed records on your birds.)**
By using my AviMate computer program I can now track information on my birds and their management in many ways providing a great help to me and allowing a large amount of information to follow the birds that are sold or traded. Some of the information and topics covered are: Species Listings, Individual Birds, Buying & Selling, Pairing, Production, Clutch Activities, Nursery Information, Egg Disposition, Detailed Expense Records, Generate Invoices for Birds Sold, Detailed Contacts, Daily Planner, Bird Searches, and Many, Many Reports.
Whether you choose to keep simple or detailed records is a personal decision. But it is very important to you and your birds that you do keep some records on them through their lives and that these records can follow the birds if sold or traded. Jeff Downing
Click HERE to go to my Record Keeping Page with examples, downloads and links.