Duck questions

[Chicken Champ]

Hey!

I'm wondering if there is anyone out there who could give me any advice on showing ducks? I am new to it and need some info.

Thanks,


Chicken Champ

 

[Pyxis]

Hi! Are you in the USA?

 

[Chicken Champ]

Yeah, why?

 

[Pyxis]

Yeah, why?

Showing and standards can vary from country to country I tried to give someone advice a little while ago but then it turned out they were in Ireland so my advice was useless.

So, being that you're in the US, you'll want to join the American Poultry Association (APA), the American Bantam Association (ABA) as well if the breed you want to show is a bantam breed, and then also look into whether your breed has a breed club because you'll probably want to join that as well.

Once that's all done, make sure you also buy the Standard of Perfection (SOP). Both the APA and the ABA put one out.

Then, compare your birds to the standard and pick out the ones that best meet it. Those are the ones you'll want to show. Make sure you're not showing hatchery stock, they're not going to win and might even get DQ'd. You'll want stock from breeders that also show.

For example, rouen ducks from a hatchery are known as utility stock, and are vastly different from good show stock. A hatchery rouen will never compete with a real rouen bred for show.

This is show rouen first, and a hatchery rouen second. Very, very different.

That hatchery rouen would probably get DQ'd right out of the show.

Once your birds are picked out and you've entered the show, you'll want to do some show prep, which is easier for ducks than it is for chickens. Make sure you're working with them to get them calm in a show cage - you can build a small cage to practice with or you can buy the actual show cages. You'll want to put them in there and practice with them so they're comfortable in the cages.

The week before the show, you'll want to do some prep, such as putting them in a conditioning pen with lots of clean water to let them get themselves ready and clean for the show. You might want to scrub their legs with a toothbrush if they are particularly muddy, maybe take a magic eraser to them as well.

 

[Chicken Champ]

Thanks!

 

[Pyxis]

You're welcome

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

The show Rouen looks deformed. This must be like dog shows. Sorry, I like mutts. Does this make me a bad person?

 

[Pyxis]

The show Rouen looks deformed. This must be like dog shows. Sorry, I like mutts. Does this make me a bad person?

Nah, show rouens are pretty extreme. I understand where you're coming from on that. I personally have Calls and welsh harlequins that are for show. And several breeds of chickens too And of course Tufted Roman geese. Not all breeds are extreme like that, thank goodness.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

I really want some Welsh Harlequins but my timing with the hatchery has been off. My geese are characters.

 

[Chicken Champ]

I actually have some rouens.