Conditioning Birds for Show

[BCB]

What are the pros and cons of conditioning feather footed birds on wood shavings vs. wire?

 

[bantyhen'sfriend]

From what I've heard (and experienced), wire can cause the feathers to break off at the tips, but shavings can allow the foot feathers to get poopy and gross.

 

[cochin-dexter]

wire works alot better for birds that are light colored, just make sure the wire doesnt get rusty. wood shavings are in my opinon are more work, having to cange it so often.

 

[JSGamefowl]

i put my show birds in 55 gal barrel , with wash sand in the bottom about a week or 2 before a show , if you dont know what im talking about then google barrel colony, they are very good , the wash sand keeps feathers clean , only thing is if the birds to big like a jearsy giant it may not work ,

 

[averytds]

What a fabulous idea and no feather breaks from wire. I may have to hunt up some of those. TY! We usually go with a sand and shavings mix, but were going to try some booties this year.

Have to scroll down. http://www.silverpulletpoultry.net/forsalepage.htm

 

[BCB]

I've never heard of the barrel idea! I might try that with a few and see how they turn out. thanks!

 

[Smoky73]

Yes, my booties work great to keep foot feathers clean thats for sure, but you cannot leave them on long term because some birds just will not move around in them. All depends on the bird and how they react to having something on their feet. I put them on once birds are washed and ready, about a week before, but conditioning foot feathers starts much earlier than that.

 

[averytds]

I know, but conditioning seems more of a no brainer. Dirty feathers can be cleaned anytime, but damage takes time to repair. It's those last days of constant vigilance that kill us. It's one of my biggest barriers to getting into whites. One of our usual judges prefers feet be bleach water/toothbrush scrubbed spotless the day of judging and that's darn difficult in the field since coop in is the night before. Your booties are sheer genius IMO.