April 18, 2007

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved a human vaccine against the H5N1 Avian Influenza. This is the first human vaccine that may provide early limited protection to more at risk people while a vaccine tailored to the pandemic strain of the virus could be developed and produced.

Everybody agrees that there will be a pandemic but when??? In this case, it is better to try to prevent and reduce the risks as oppose to doing nothing.

I wish to remind everyone that thus far, this virus has NOT gone through all mutations it needs to be a dangerous virus passing between one human being to another.

Jocelyne Lauzier

The Napoleon Foundation is a non profit company registered under Part 3 of The Quebec Company Law. Our registration number (NEQ) is 1160832516 and the date of incorporation is May 29, 2002. Public portion of our records can be verified on the official website of the Registrar for Quebec Enterprises (CIDREQ System).  The Napoleon Foundation is divided into 3 Departments as follows:

I- The Permanent Bird Sanctuary for Large Parrots and Exotic Birds.

              Large Parrots and other exotic birds entrusted to us do remain with theNapoleon Foundation for life. A Written Contract is entered into by both parties and constitutes our firm commitment to that effect. For further information please refer to the subject < if you want to entrust a bird to us > for further details .Parrots and exotic birds being part of our permanent bird sanctuary do not participate in our breeding programs unless previous owners have specifically asked for it. At the moment, we only have one pair to which this applies. (See Residents). Costs and expenses involved in keeping our residents are quite high and for that reason the maximum number of places available is 25 Parrots and Exotic Birds. We aim at providing the best to all of our birds the best in all aspects of their lives such as food, accommodation, toys, veterinarian attention and all related expenses.

                For each of our residents you can read their story and can also view a picture of each bird under the topic: Residents. You will also be able to view more pictures of our birds under topic: Photo albums. We will also be writing regular news about each of our permanent residents.

              When we started, the permanent bird sanctuary used to carry the name of <Refuge Chez Napoleon>.

2- The Breeding Department for protection in captivity purposes.

              We have few pairs of Parrots and Finches that are highly endangered in their natural habitat or alternatively that are not being bred at this time in captivity in our part of the Country. Under topic < Selected Breeding for Protection >, you will be able to see pictures of some of these birds. Under Photo Album more pictures will be added on. We will also put some picture of species we have had but unfortunately these birds have gone to the Rainbow Bridge.

              If and when baby birds do arrive, they are not made available to the general public but rather to breeders that do the same thing as we do that is protection of species in captivity. More often than not, we proceed by way of exchange for new blood lines when possible so as to avoid or minimize consanguinity issues.

3. The Regular Breeding Department.

              We breed quite a few species of small and medium Parrots and some large Parrots as well as some species of finches’ .For Cockatoos, we only do breed Rose-Breasted Cockatoos and individuals who wish to purchase a handfed baby bird, there are quite stringent requirements before we accept to sell. For obvious reasons, we change species from time to time and for various reasons.

                Before deciding to breed a species we do consider the following factors: Required and comfortable space required for the pair or pairs, nutrition , specific supplementary elements , specific requirements for that particular species in regards to humidity level, heat required, quiet requirements, light, avian health issues, preventive treatments required or recommended, costs to purchase a healthy female and an healthy male, and more importantly whether or not that species is a good choice as an pet bird and if there is a market for the bay birds that will come to life. If in doubt, we do not embark in the breeding of the species in question.

             When we get a new parrot pair, we do not breed them before at least one year completed with us, and naturally if those parrots have reached a reasonable age for breeding. We do not breed at minimum ages for any of the species we work with. For finches, we wait at least 6 months completed with us and if the birds have attained a reasonable age for breeding. For Lady Gouldian we do not breed them before each partner has reached the age of one year and a half.

              For all of our birds, we firmly believe that parents should be able to breed and feed their baby birds themselves. For that reason, we allow a maximum of 3 attempts at breeding before we decide to use our specialized brooder equipment

             We do not let our birds to breed more than twice during a full year. Through the years I have found that this is better for the female and the male health wise  When time comes to breed they do so much more easily as if it is a special time for them and a precious one. A word of caution here: what works for us does not mean that it twill work for you. Nobody has the absolute knowledge in any topics when we speak about those wonderful living creatures  be it parrots, finches, softbills or other kind of birds. The most important thing is KNOW YOUR BIRDS, OBSERVE THEM CAREFULLY AND KEEP DETAILED NOTES ABOUT YOUR BREEDING PAIRS. That will get you much further ahead than anything else.

           With everything that I have said before, one would think that we do not make mistakes… but this is far from reality. We do mistakes and this is why you will see from time to time, some of our breeding pairs being put for sale.