Drawbacks to Showing Chickens?

[chickendales]

cageing birds also help tame birds u dont what ur bird freaking out when judge stick his had in the cage

 

[chickendales]

or freaking out just because there in a cage

 

[chickendales]

you have some very lovely millies

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

I have been to only a few shows over the years but can happily report that none of my babies have gotten ill, or even so much as caught a mite. I always like to scope out the birds that mine are next to, to see if any of the other birds in the area are looking ill or paracite-infected. And yes, every once in a while I happen to see a bird that I KNOW is sick. I always feel terrible for the poor people who have to cage their bird near the sickly ones. But if you can tell that one is unwell, go up to one of the officials and inform them. Less chance of illness spreading if one is removed. And sometimes, that does happen.

After a show, regardless of whether I see sick birds or not, I always dust my birds thoroughly and rub them with VetRX. It's not much but it is helpful. Then they go into quarantine, thought the length depends upon how comfortable I am with letting them back in the flock.

All this being said, the only negative experience I've had at a show is being disqualified.

Good luck.

 

[NYREDS]

Quote:
You can show a pullet as a hen, but you can't show a hen as a pullet. Same is true of a cockerel/cock.
At a show I attended 2 weeks ago a kid's Golden Sebright hen was stolen. It doesn't happen often but it does happen.
I have never quarantined & have never had a problem as a result so I don't regard it as necessary. You should do whatever makes you feel comfortable. The only thing I do when returning from a show is dust the birds with louse powder in case they picked up some hitchhikers.

 

[chickendales]

here link for parcticeing boisecurty to keep ur bird healthy
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/birdbiosecurity/biosecurity/basicspoultry.htm

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

The only downside for me is the quantine part. I keep them away from all other birds about 4 weeks or so. I'm paranoid of them getting something. I just purchased some Oxine, which I plan on using in their drinking water at shows and misting them before I take them home and during the quarantine period.