Conditioning a chicken for a show

[Gagirly]

I've been reading about getting show prospects ready to show. How do you condition one ? I assume what is meant is they are not over or under weight and have good muscle tone. Do I need to set up a tiny little gym ?

 

[chickendales]

Quote:
i move birds in to large cages couple girls or 1 male with lot shaveing all feathers should be perfect

 

[Pyncheon guy]

All birds for show should be in their best top condition.....not too thin... not too fat..... Conditioning starts long before a show. They also should be coop trained and not flighty so when a judge goes to take them out of their show coops...they don't totally freak out. Some breeds need to be bathed (all birds do benefit from bathing)....and all breeds should have legs cleaned and shined.....toenails cut......beaks trimmed.....wattles and combs touched up and cleaned ......Different breeders use different leg and comb/wattle "shiner uppers".....some use vaseline....mineral oil.....I use wheat germ oil....all natural...makes the legs shine and enhances the nice red color of the comb/face/wattle area. Any sign of unnatural methods or "faking" as they say...trimming feathers.....cutting off parts of combs......artifically changing the feather color will get you thrown out really quick. Honesty and hard work are what make a good breeder and exhibitor. Hope this helps? Rusty