Joe Lastella started breeding the Pet Parakeet at about 12 years of age. As a youngster, it was a great means of making some extra money. Approximately one hundred birds were kept in his mother's basement, or as his father called it, his wine cellar. Once Joe was 17 years of age his mind started to wander from the birds to other interests, which will remain undisclosed. He then sold all the birds because of his new interests.
There was a long lapse between breeding and raising birds. Work, marriage, and children filled his days. Then in 1974 at age 30, Joe's place of employment decided to implement a 3-day workweek. After fixing up the house, it seemed that he was constantly in his wife's way. She asked if he had any hobbies that would be of interest, rather than drive her crazy. Joe told Rose about the birds, and she agreed that he should give it a try. Joe was aware of the Exhibition Budgie, but decided to go with the pet bird again. In 1975 he found out about a Budgie Club on Long Island (New York State Budgerigar Society). Joe promptly joined the club and then ABS (American Budgerigar Society).
After visiting several aviaries, he was hooked, and had to have some of these fantastic birds. Joe's bird room, at the time was slightly larger than 6 feet by 8 feet and was in his basement. His first house didn't have a lot of space so breeding and keeping both the pet and exhibition budgie was impossible. The pet budgies were sent off in order to concentrate on the Exhibition stock.
Most of the stock Joe acquired was from the late Alf Omerod background, one of the premiere breeders in the U.K., at the time. There were three top breeders here in the states, that acquired stock directly from Mr. Omerod. These individuals seemed to be winning at all the shows. Joe developed his line/lines from those original birds. One of those gentlemen, Jim Brown who lived in Long Island, New York, was very instrumental in teaching Joe the ins and outs of breeding the birds. Unfortunately their friendship only lasted for two years as he passed on in 1977. Joe felt he learned more in those two years than any other time in the hobby. Jim also took care of him with some great birds from his Omerod line. Jim was very generous to the Novice Breeders.
In 1979 Joe and his family moved to Long Island, NY. While still keeping his birds in the basement, Joe managed to maintain a much larger area (17 Feet x 28 Feet) and was able to keep many more birds. He also maintained his methods of furiously culling his birds. This kept him from being tempted to breed birds that would not help improve his family lines.
By 1981 Joe attained Champion status and went on to enjoy many years of learning, success, and frustrations. He called it all enjoyment because he simply loved the hobby and the people that he met throughout the years. In 1990 Joe became an ABS Judge and also served as a District Director for several years. Joe loved to judge birds, he considered it is a wonderful opportunity to meet the various breeders throughout the country and get a look at the quality of the birds elsewhere. Aside from the people, the part of the hobby that he enjoy the most was the breeding season. Joe really got a thrill out of watching the parents raise the Chicks and seeing if his expectations were met with the various pairings.
In 1994 his family (which includes the birds) moved to North Edison NJ, where he had his first out door Aviary. It was 12 feet deep by 21 feet wide. Inside his aviary he maintained 24 breeding cages with front hanging nest boxes, two large flights (11 feet long x 3 ft wide x seven ft high. Side by side), two small flights (7 ft long x 2 ft deep x 3 ft high. stacked), two baby flights (3ft wide x 1½ ft deep by 1½ ft high also stacked), and two large cabinets, for supplies. There was also an area for seed containers/bags and rolls of paper.
Approximately 150 to 200 chicks are raised each breeding season. The majority of birds Joe bred wre normal greens and grey greens with some blues and greys. The rest consisted of Pieds, Opalines, Cinnamons and Spangles.
In 1997 Joe needed an outcross for his birds, as his line was becoming too close. He had introduced some birds, over the years, from several top breeders here in the US., but he decided it was time to go further out. The birds he acquired were from Chris and Mary Snell of the U.K. These birds clicked quite well with his own and produced some outstanding birds for Joe's aviary. Several of his birds were pulled and bred to the Snell birds to produce another line.
In 1999 a new organization was started in the US, the Budgerigar Association of America. When Joe decided to join the new organization, it meant he would have to retire from the ABS Judges Panel and resign from the ABS Board of Directors. He would continue to maintain his friendships with the ABS membership and attend their shows. He last held a position on the Board of Directors and Administrator of the Judges Association for BAA.
Joe won many shows, but his most memorable wins were at two All Americans. As an intermediate breeder his birds were placed on the top bench two years running. Both wins were fourth best in show. This was in 1979 and 1980. Another fantastic win was in the Grand National, 2002. A Grey Green Cock of Joe's won the show. In the same show, he also had seventh best and best young with a Light Green Cock.
Joe and his wife Rose moved to Florida where Joe had some great success with his new aviary and the birds seem to love the Floridian climate. After Joe's passing in 2010 the main portion of his aviary was bought by Gary Hicken and the remaining birds were given to Pablo Ortiz for helping take great care of Joes birds during the 8 weeks he was in the hospital.
