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Page 2 Besides {vtthstandtng the elements, the aviartes must also be built strong enough to' protect against predators that may be after the birds. Mr. Dekeyser has used strong screen wiring on the aviaries, even extending " beneath ground to keep wolves and foxes Mr. Dekeyser said some of the pheasants he raises are native to the area around the Himalayas, and are able to easily cope with the cold In Canada., Mr. Dekeyser keeps the birds in cages -- or aviarles i which they roam around in during the summer. Some of the birds must be moved into a heated barn for the winter. but most can stay_outslde during the winter, _ From the Java Green peacock -- the "Cadillac" of that bird species -- to the cocky and colourful Saiyer Tragopan, the varieties or exotic pheasants seem just as at home in Haidimand Township as they would in their native lands of southeast Asia. "It's like a car," he said. "You start with a Volk. swagen, get an Olds next, and work your way up." Hun): mp “hum." Fr., n-.|_ -r' ' . V W -'ee w. .._. a... Using his analogy, the flock of plieasanlsl he keeps on his property could probably be labelled an upscale car dealerrhip. Ed Dekeyser's properly is literally going to the birds. . Mr." Dekeyser describe; hlsvgorlzias an aviarist as more of a hobby _ an expensive one at that, his wife always reminds him, he noted. -Raising birds is nothing nevrvwfgr him. At he started with pigeons and has been mov more exotic birds ever since. It has nothing to do with neglecting the land, but everything to do with his lntqresLin collecting and breeding rare species or birds on it. Since; he started from scratch" four years ago, Mr. Dekeyser has raised a tlock numbertng about 500 birds - mostly various vartenes of pheasants. "It's not a fm. Iwould not 415711161 mam enjoy It," said the Haldimand Township man, who also owns and operates an excavating company. Mine exotic varieties of birds can fetch as much as $500 to $2,500. The price may also tluctuate depend- Ing on how rare the bird is. he stud. Rare species have a home on Ed Dekeyser's land Going to the birds The Colborne Chronicle, Tuesday, August 31, 1993 . At age nine. moving up to But even then, "there Is a challenge: some of his pheasants may lay only one clutch of eggs m a sea- son. Each day, he removes any eggs he finds ln his aviarles. When he has enough eggs. Mr. Dekeyser will place them in a hatchery unlt anywhere from three to four weeks. Once the birds have hatched, he wlll place them in heated incubators where the chicks can mature. He will then move them to heated pens. where once big enough, they will be moved Into an aviary with other birds. Besides his passion for raising birds, his hobby also is helpful during the gloom era recession, "rtiives me a chaiice to take my mind off the bad times." he said. Mr. Dekeyser explained that interest in breeding exotic birds has become more common In recent years. In Ontario. the number of aviarists Is more con- :entrated in the southwest part of the province than ere. He wlll usually go to at least five bird shows each year _ meeting other breeders, Buying and selling birds orjust looking at what ts avaliable. _ _ . When" investingEm airrf, Eng-anback may “m come until two or three years later when selling the offspring. Mr. Dekeyser said. _ _ from digging their way Into the avleries, Where it all begins -Auiarist Ed Dekeyser displays one qf two hatcherles he places eggs In. The eggs usu- ally stay lnfor three tofour weeks until the birds have hatched. Mr. Dekeyser has been breeding exotic brids - mainly pheasants -for the lastfour years. Photo by mu Eekhof - an: Eekhof There was a strong feel- ing of loss by all members as we mourn the recent The gardens in front of the Hall were a tribute to our Castleton area mem- hers who faithfully weed, water and tend these beds and also the ones at the school and the Town entrance. Special thanks to' Ernie and Vi Morrison for'thetr constant care and hard work. Friday night saw many willing workers on hand to prepare for the show and set up tables for vist. tors to enjoy sandwiches. cakes, etc. supplied by Sharon Rusk's group. Despite the heat, It was a pleasant way to spend some time with friends and admire the lovely sur- roundings The event was well attended and, we hope, enjoyed by all. On Saturday afternoon, Aug. 14, the Garden Club staged our Annual Summer Show in Castleton town hall, as we have been doing for some years. The Hall allows us space for displaying all our lovely flowers, veggies and especially our ‘Glads” which form a rainbow of colours along the south K eujcru’cfw Erma/unto Rainbow of gladioli highlight show Qdtuatt 471 mm 9tt 3 In her remarks she com- mented on the difficulty of determining winners when the entries are of such excellent quality. She also stressed how addictive it is to put entries into the shows: the more you do, the more Interested you become - in other words "try it, you'll like it." We also had as guests, Mr. Challlce, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kelly of Port Hope and Miss Hazel Wilson of Our Judge was Mrs. Isabelle Challice who once again did a splendid job with our 167 entries. We will greatly miss her happy personality and love of life which she showed to all who knew her in spite of suffering a great deal with arthritis. Our Ist vice President, Marjorie Ferguson, per- formed the. duties of President In place of her mother and we sincerely thank her for domg so very capably. passing of our President. Peterborough- all active Marjorie Vaughan. She members of District 4. was very dedicated, giving of her time and talent in The winners of the cov- so many ways for the con- eted Red Ribbons were, tinulng growth of the for Best Glad- Gordon local Horticultural Society Smith, Best annual, in this area. George Maskell and Best Aric 31/73 The following were prize winners in the various classes, with number of prizes won: H. Dance 13, J. Filteau 19, A Gresham IO. K. Island IO, A. Jackson 2, B Mutton 5, L. Mutton 2, V. Morrison 5, G. Smith 20. Doug Johnston auc- tioned the lovely Glads generously donated to the Club by several exhibitors, giving many of us a chance to take home theses lovely flowers to enjoy for serval days. Peg Tozek convened this show with assistance of Joyce Gardner and Bea Turney: Another job well done! Our next event is our fall Flower Show on Sept. 20th featuring Dahlias and Chrysanthemums at Prospect Church Hail. Watch for our notices and please keep thts date in mind and join us for our last show of 1993 season. The winners of the cov- eted Red Ribbons were, for Best Glad- Gordon Smith, Best annual, George Maskell and Best Decorative- Gordon Smith ( A nearly perfect basket of Red Gradiolt.