Any Tips on Raising Showbirds?

[equinehugger3]

I have six eggs in the incubator, due April 9th. They're going to be showbirds, and I was wondering about how I should raise them to get them used to being handled a lot and getting bathed and "showy" stuff like that. They're all bantams, 2 Bearded Silkies, 2 d'Anvers, and 2 Crested Polishes. Also, how do I properly clean the Polishes' combs? Haha, sorry, I've never showed before, so I'm totally new to ALL of this. Also, what's the correct size for a bantam show coop, and where should I get one? xP Sorry!

Thanks!!!

 

[sweeterdeeter42]

OMG, That's my birthday! They are going to be special birds!

I have used q-tips to clean Polish combs before shows. I also use a toothbrush on their feet and nails (all breeds). Sometimes some dirt and poo gets stuck between the gaps in the scaly part of their legs and feet. I also rub aquaphor or baby oil on their combs, wattles and feet/legs, making sure it doesnt get in their feathers. Because if it gets in their feathers, you will have a mess. It makes them look in way better condition than the dry, dirty looking combed birds. These tricks definitely have set my birds apart from comparable birds before. I have never really handled my birds excessively, and they have all done well with washing and blow drying. I have found that they tolerate quite a bit more than you would think. Except a few extremely flighty ones. My white leghorn pullets come to mind. Good luck! Also, you might want to invest in the Standard of Perfection if you want to get into showing.

 

[equinehugger3]

Quote:
Haha! I bet they will!

Thank you SO much!!! Yeah, I've been thinking about looking more into getting the Standard... xD Thanks!!!

 

[The Turken Lady]

Goodluck hatching them,You NEED to put some pics up!! Haha.

I handle my showbirds from chicks,and I feed them medicated chick starter,when they grow up mix up their normal food with some showbird feed (1/3 showbird,2/3 normal feed) But if you are doing a breed that has to have a dark comb or is white try to keep them away from the sun because if you don't,the white will become brassy and I know that the dark combed bird's combs will be darker. (Percy's was dark,but then when we put him in the sun,ehh..He would've won champion bantam if it were darker.

)
If your doing showmanship practice posing your bird at a young age.
They keep them in little cages at the show,like this:

So about a week before the show,bathe them,clip their beaks,put them in a cage like this,ect. If they're light,they'll need a bath. (I didn't give Percy or Thalia a bath) If you do showmanship and you didn't bathe your bird,then they'll take 5 points off. But,study study study and groom your birds AT the show. (Always have a groom box,I can tell you what to put in it if I can find mine XD) Also WORM your bird(s) and make sure they aren't sick (derp)

Make sure if you make a pen,make one with chicken wire/big wire separating the pens and hardware cloth on the outside of it + on the door. If you have game birds,separate the males and females and make sure the cocks are in separate pens. Also put shavings down and make sure that big birds have low roosting posts and long tailed birds have tall roosting posts;Roosting posts are just a bunch of wood;Like this one:

Make sure to CULL your birds that aren't good (sell them) and only breed the birds that have good genetics and make sure not to get a breed that everyone has (AKA-Bantam OEGB)
Plus,STUDY the breeds that you own,learn about them,and pick the best bird for the show.

~Cheyenne,Pip and the crew~
AKA- The Turken Lady