Bantam in molt - should we show?

[ladyfishkathy]

My children are participating in a youth poultry show, and the bantam brahma is in molt...(We DO NOT force molt our chickens, like I know some people do to reduce molt during show times). Should we take her??? How does this hurt her during judging, I mean, molting is a natural process and it is molting season here?? Please advise and let me know! Thanks, KAthy

 

[Chic-n-farmer]

My son just did his first poultry show.
The judge was very nice but I did hear him telling some of the other kids that he judged them on appearance... dirty spot on a white chicken. Feathers missing where the rooster was getting to the hen, etc,...

I would assume from watching him that he would hold it against the bird.

BTW my first year 4-H son brought home:

Best overall Pullet Pen Grand Champion and Trophy

2 Grand Champion
3 Reserve Grand Champion
including Reserve Grand Champion in Showmanship
12 A ribbons
1 B ribbon

Not bad for a first timer without a clue about poultry shows!

You can do the same! Good luck!

 

[Slightly Cracked]

My son is also in 4-H and we just finished up our county fair and he did very well. He would like to take a pair of black bantam cochins on to the state fair BUT she is molting. How long does this take, how can I help her through it? The fair is in 1 month and I want her to look nice.

Thanks,
SC

 

[tiki244]

I think 4 H also does a showmanship part. It will cost some points, but not as severely as an Open show. Molting can go on forever sometimes. My bantam cochin is a 6-8 weeker. Uffda!!!

Others only molt a feather here and there all year long.

 

[tiki244]

Quote:
I think you are supposed to give extra nutritiouse feed like game bird chow for growth of feathers and a small amt of sunflower seeds a day. small amt. And bath her a couple times that might help. And good luck.

 

[stephys_fluffybutts]

I have gone to shows having birds be in molt.

As long as the judges can see the new feathers growing in then it will be fine.

I have a polish hen right in mid molt and she only has 4 tail feathers. I see the new feathers coming in.
and I only have 15 days till the show.

The best thing to do is to keep the bird in a separate cage and feed her high protien food and add vitamins to the water. That will help the feathers grow faster.

My Polish rooster just went threw a full molt and it only took 6 weeks for the tail feathers to come in. We have silkies and they take 12-14 weeks for a complete full molt.
Silkies seem to take longer.

Its good to not worry and try your best.

 

[tiki244]

There is vitamins and minerals you can give them to make the molt go faster. I just saw it the other night in Foys Pigeon and Poultry supply catalog. I believe you can access that online also. And they will send you out a nice big free chunky catalog too.

 

[chikkinlittlesc]

I feed my birds Kitten Chow. It is high in protein and helps in feather development. Feathers are made up of mostly protein so the extra in their diet helps during the molt.

 

[CindyS]

the chicken will probably still get a blue ribbon if it is otherwise well groomed and taken care of. Usually they are pretty understanding with 4 H kids. But the chances of grand or reserve champ are 0. My sons Barred rock rooster was missing most of his tail feathers and the hen was missing part of her fuzzy butt feathers but they both got blue ribbons.

 

[hinkjc]

I would not take a moulting bird to a show. Moult is very stressful on chickens and the added stress of transporting and show activities could be bad for your bird. JMHO

Jody