It's all in the prep work!!
I'll do a good washing and use a toothbrush to clean legs/feet/wattles/comb then a pedicure right before going into the hold cage. Then 3 days before another wash and allow the chicken to preen itself dry, this gives the feathers their best look and allows time...
on the ground always worked best for me (less feather/feet damage likely) then the week before the show move them in a small cage with a solid bottom and clean bedding changed daily and do your cleaning/prep routine.