Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[ashandvine]

You need a couple of coops that look like show coops. Put your birds in them for few weeks, handling them a couple of times a day the way a judge will , make sure to check wings, feet, etc.They calm down in a hurry. I like my birds to face the judge , not huddle in a corner , so I give them treats to come to the door . Be sure to get them used to posing by using a show stick too !

Show stick... would you talk more about this? I have been to two shows but did not see a single stick being used. TYIA

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http://www.bellefarm.net/id14.html

Welcome... Nice Avatar!

 

[OSUman]

Show stick... would you talk more about this? I have been to two shows but did not see a single stick being used. TYIA

 

[jaman4]

Hi Thanks
I know one judge that uses a collapsible pointer,like a car antenna.He uses it to help in setting the bird up or put the bird in a better position for viewing.
Bobby

 

[fowlman01]

Show stick... would you talk more about this? I have been to two shows but did not see a single stick being used. TYIA

Welcome... Nice Avatar!

It is a collapsible pointer, much like the old auto antenna's. It is just a means to move the bird slightly. Some birds will pick it or otherwise be annoyed by it if they have not seen one before. I prefer my birds to stand sideways to give the judge a profile.

I train my birds in the same kind of cage I expect them to cooped in at a show. I put the cages up on tables just like a show and let the birds stay in those for part of a day for several days before the show. I get them used to traffic and people congregating in front of the cage by running a stick along the bars of the cage every time I walk by until nothing bothers them. This is all rewarded with food....you can make a chicken stand on it's head for food..

If a bird will not show in a show because it is flighty or afraid, you can have the best bird in the world, but a judge can't judge a bird that is hanging upside down in a cage. I use meal worms to get the birds to respond the way I want them to respond when someone...anyone ....walks up to the cage. There is more to showing a bird than meets the eye.

My New Hamps are crazy as March hares when free ranging, but it only took a minute to train them to a show cage.....you just never know.

Walt

 

[Texasmja]

It is a collapsible pointer, much like the old auto antenna's. It is just a means to move the bird slightly. Some birds will pick it or otherwise be annoyed by it if they have not seen one before. I prefer my birds to stand sideways to give the judge a profile.

I train my birds in the same kind of cage I expect them to cooped in at a show. I put the cages up on tables just like a show and let the birds stay in those for part of a day for several days before the show. I get them used to traffic and people congregating in front of the cage by running a stick along the bars of the cage every time I walk by until nothing bothers them. This is all rewarded with food....you can make a chicken stand on it's head for food..

If a bird will not show in a show because it is flighty or afraid, you can have the best bird in the world, but a judge can't judge a bird that is hanging upside down in a cage. I use meal worms to get the birds to respond the way I want them to respond when someone...anyone ....walks up to the cage. There is more to showing a bird than meets the eye.

My New Hamps are crazy as March hares when free ranging, but it only took a minute to train them to a show cage.....you just never know.

Walt

Thanks for the advice Walt, I would love to one day show.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Good morning y'all

FREEZING here (by southern standards anyway....27F). My first hatch of LF Col Rocks is happening as I type. 3-4 are out already

I have a question for those of you who show birds. My birds are friendly, will eat out of my hand, etc, but are not much for being caught, picked up, etc. With that in mind, how do you get a bird(s) prepared to be put in a small coop and also for being handled by a judge?

I'm thinking of showing a cockerel and a pullet at the Newnan show in February

Thanks!!!

I picked up some show cages and practiced with those for weeks before the show. You will know right off if your birds are going to have an issue. None of my large fowl cared although we continued training just in case but some of my Silkies were ridiculous. My friendliest bird was almost impossible to get out of the show cage. First day, I even wondered if I was going to have to lift the cage off him. So I'm VERY glad I did some cage training well in advance. By the day of the show, my Silkie boy was absolutely perfect for the judge - and he did pretty well at the show too!

PS. Congrats on the hatch. I have Blue Copper Marans and Blue Ameraucanas due to hatch on Monday.

 

[catdaddyfro]

Hi Thanks
I know one judge that uses a collapsible pointer,like a car antenna.He uses it to help in setting the bird up or put the bird in a better position for viewing.
Bobby

Hey there Mr. Bobby, you know this thread is a Heritage thread, you could post up a couple of those winning RIR boys you've had such good times showing/WINNING with here lately, for these folks to see on here too, some of them probly don't venture over to the RIR only thread too much+ I like to look at them too, gives me hope for me&mine to get there some day too LOL (hint hint)

Jeff

 

[Lacy Blues]

My friend got cut by a gaff got staff infection in his body it went to a bad hip socket and to a heart value and had to have total hip replacement, new heart valve and then two years latter had a stroke and he is no longer walking or taking care of his chickens.

Bob, what is a gaff?

 

[snowbird]

Bob, what is a gaff?

A Gaff is used on the Gamefowl Spur.

 

[Marengoite]

Originally Posted by Robert Blosl



The Silver Spangled Hamburgs are another breed I may be able to pick up a breeding pair or trio from Paul Hardy. I am going to call him and see he may trust me with them if I plan to share them with others down the road.

Does anyone have Silver Spangled Hamburgs?

I've got some Meyer hatchery birds just to start out. They didn't advertise them with their bantams, but they when I went to the ON last month, it was pretty clear they are no large fowl. They looked just like the row in the bantam section. So I'll chalk this batch up to experience and order a batch of chicks from Hardy in the spring. I really like the looks of them and he's the only breeder I can find on the internet. Even the Hamburg club doesn't list LF Silver Spangled breeders.

I'll let you all know in a year or two how they look. I'll also need to chick with Mr. Hardy an how to maintain the breed. I would hate to lose this stunning looking fowl.