Try some of the new seed mixes by all means, but do it under controlled conditions. Put a quarter of the stud, at the most, over to it and put say four breeding pairs on such a mixture leaving the remainder on your existing programme. If there are significant differences for the better, then and only then, is the time to be radical, so tread with care for a while. It is light which controls the condition of our birds as we approach the breeding season. We find this assists greatly towards getting the birds fit for the months ahead.
Shows go on well into the year in the United Kingdom.
Do be careful not to keep the show team caged too long in the stock cages. To get the weight on the show team is important but, you have to get it off again before pairing and this takes three weeks in the flights. Here is a good tip. Do not pair up the best birds first. They may have had a hard show season.