Buckeye Breed Thread

[Tailfeathers]

Chris, I've never taken any birds to shows that are back to back but I imagine if I did I would bathe them again as my birds are free ranging and I don't have the facilities to keep them in nice pens until show time. That being said, given that I typically take about 15-25 birds to a show, it takes me a good 4-6 months to get up the gumption to even want to wash a bunch of birds to take to another show! Just the thought of it now is depressing.

God Bless,

 

[OSUman]

I typically don't wash colored birds, I check them for pests, spray them, and clean anything that is blatantly dirty. I do also put Vapor rub on their combs and clean their feet and put Vaseline on their feet.

 

[mbobb2012]

I just wanted to let everyone know that my first set of buckeye eggs are due to hatch on Friday

 

[cgmccary]

I just wanted to let everyone know that my first set of buckeye eggs are due to hatch on Friday

Good Luck! Let us know how it comes out.

 

[cgmccary]

I typically don't wash colored birds, I check them for pests, spray them, and clean anything that is blatantly dirty. I do also put Vapor rub on their combs and clean their feet and put Vaseline on their feet.

I like this idea especially in this cold weather. I've never been convinced it makes a difference with Buckeyes as far as how they look. I have taken a group, some washed, some not & nobody said, "this one looks dirtier," or "less shiny." I have always thought of it as calming the bird down.

Some of mine need their behinds and feet cleaned up.

 

[OSUman]

I do sometimes use the shining micro fiber cloths that are for shining cars to get a bit of dust off of them and make them shine more, for black birds it enhances their green sheen.

I like this idea especially in this cold weather. I've never been convinced it makes a difference with Buckeyes as far as how they look. I have taken a group, some washed, some not & nobody said, "this one looks dirtier," or "less shiny." I have always thought of it as calming the bird down.

Some of mine need their behinds and feet cleaned up.

 

[mschlumb]

I do sometimes use the shining micro fiber cloths that are for shining cars to get a bit of dust off of them and make them shine more, for black birds it enhances their green sheen.

Silk cloths also do a real good job, especially on black birds

 

[Tailfeathers]

I like this idea especially in this cold weather. I've never been convinced it makes a difference with Buckeyes as far as how they look. I have taken a group, some washed, some not & nobody said, "this one looks dirtier," or "less shiny." I have always thought of it as calming the bird down.

Some of mine need their behinds and feet cleaned up.

I can definitely tell the difference between a bird that's been washed and one that hasn't. Given two side-by-side and all else being fairly close to equal, I'd say the judge will pick the washed bird every time. When Butch Gundersen judged the last show I was at, he put check marks on the coop cards. I asked him later what they stood for as I had not seen it before and he said, "Type, Color, and Condition" in that order. I would think that a washed bird would fare better under the "Condition" category.

Also, I wash my birds with Zodiac Flea & Tick Killer Shampoo. Same thing as Adams but much cheaper. I do think so as to not inadvertently take anything to a show and also it helps prevent me from bringing any bugs back from the show. This is a pet peeve of mine. At one show last year at least a good 10-20% of the coop cards had "(check mark) vent" on them. Meaning the judge saw bugs when he gave them a QUICK look over. That is completely uncalled for in my book. So I try to do what I can to make sure it doesn't happen.

God Bless,

Royce

 

[OSUman]

Just curious but what differences do you see in the washed birds versus the unwashed birds?

 

[Tailfeathers]

Well, for those of us who just let our birds free range there is an obvious better looking bird when it's washed. You don't see matted, torn, or filthy dirty caked feathers. The color is obviously brighter and not as dull looking. For birds that will have a sheen to them - such as my Barnevelders - the sheen stands out much better. I also think a good washing helps show the Type better as well.

God Bless,