Im getting nervous for the fair next week. I dont feel ready and I dont know what to do with my showmanship birds. None of them do good. I may just use an Aussie and bring her up to the fair since i just got her and wasnt able to enter her. Anyone have any advice. I have a Jap hen that will sit in my hand for hours but wont pose. I have my Aussie pullet that will pose but doesnt really like being held and I have a cochin just over a month old that doesnt pose very well and doesnt like being held very much (she is the happy medium of the Aussie and Jap). Does anyone have any advice?
bring whatever bird you are most comfortable with. Showmanship is more about your knowledge of birds and care and feeding than about the actualy bird. I always have showmanship kids borrow my for sale birds at shows to use in showmanship when they did not bring an extra one.
The posing part is very very small - like around one point out of 100. More important is a bird you can hold for a long time, and a bird that will tolerate your handling the wings and flipping it upside down. If it will walk, that is a bonus. Condition matters as well - a bird that is looking raggedy will lose points. I had very good luck helping my daughter work with her birds by using clicker training techniques, with small cut up pieces of grape. Once they realize they like the grapes, they learn very fast and become much more comfortable with everything. A month old cochin is IMHO too young to take to the fair. In general, fairs in my area will not let you bring a bird for showmanship that is not already entered. An Australorp is a very big bird to use for showmanship, even if you are older. Sometimes you will have to stand there holding your bird for half an hour to an hour. Most of the kids use bantams in our area. From what you describe, I'd suggest the Japanese.
well my jap roo wont sit in my hand for a while, my hen will sit there but looks really ragged. My other two Japs are not even show quality. I think I am going to go with the aussie since she is just a lil larger than a bantam right now. I also have really big hands
