The way my hobby started and how I have experienced it

By Kris Claes (Belgium)

I am 36 years old, and live in Wellen, Belgium, Our home is newly built and incorporates a well-equipped bird room. I have been married to my wife Natasja six years and we have one daughter Jolien who is 2 years old..

I was attracted to birds in my childhood. At that time, my parents were very busy and that’s why I often stayed overnight with friends who owned a beautiful exterior flight.
I always looked forward to taking care of their birds and to feed them and I enjoyed looking at the young birds in their nests.
It took me several years to convince my parents to build a flight at home and at the age of 12, with money I had saved, I bought my own galvanized metal flight . The only thing missing now were the birds but, as a surprise, my father had already ordered birds for my aviary from a very experienced and well-known breeder from my village. The moment we went to the breeder to pick them up, I was really happy with the 2 pairs of heavy variegated. GLOSTERS that were waiting for me. I had never heard of GLOSTERS, coronas or consorts in my life . A few weeks later the chairman of the local bird club came to visit me to sell me a membership, and at this club, I was taught the secrets of my new hobby and they convinced me to exhibit my self-bred birds.