Cropping and Dubbing in 4-H

[sdm111]

Yeah.

Old enough so it is finished growing but also cold enough around here to minimize bleeding

 

[sdm111]

Also I don't think it's possible to breed towards small combs and keeping to the standard. Where you gain in one you start slipping in another. Either trim, have trimmed or don't show. The standard shouldn't be rewritten cause of someone's personal feelings.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Old enough so it is finished growing but also cold enough around here to minimize bleeding

I try to get it done when the birds is young, so there's less bleeding if it's still quite warm, when I know the winter is gonna be harsh.

Sometimes it gets too cold to do it towards winter, & I shiver too much.

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

My "knowledge" of showing is based on what I've picked up from reading this forum, so I don't know for sure.

I've heard of many situations where you need a vet's certificate to say your animal is healthy before you can take it to a show. That would be a case where "looks right" is not enough (looks healthy, but still needs the certificate.) But I've never heard of anything similar for how many toes a Silkie is supposed to have (the judge can just count, and disqualify the bird if it is wrong, rather than needing any kind of statement from someone else about the matter.)

You could get a copy of the Standard of Perfection and read what it says. Or, since you are specifically interested in 4H showing, ask someone involved with that. Or even look at the entry form that you would have to fill out. If they do not have a spot asking about it, then you probably do not have to officially state it.

I have the American Standard of Perfection but I have not read all of it, I may be able to find the answer there. Thank you for all of the information and ideas, I appreciate it.

 

[sdm111]

I try to get it done when the birds is young, so there's less bleeding if it's still quite warm, when I know the winter is gonna be harsh.

Sometimes it getting too cold to do it towards winter, & I shiver too much.

Ha, yeah trimming is probably best done without the shivers

 

[FrostRanger]

I think before any decisions are made one way or the other, it might be worth it to talk to the people involved and see what they say on the matter. You never know, that particular 4h might not require dubbing. You won't know for sure unless you ask