Ducks Questions. urgant!

[DustyShadow]

hey,
so on behalf of my school (in Australia), i am trying to boost agriculture by taking 3 of our ducks to the most local Ag show. there are 3 other local shows, but we aren't entering them this year. the show is on the 27th April!
i have a few questions.
1. when my ducks are being judged, do i have to be in presence?
2. what is involved in a Junior Exhibitors class?
3. what is a good product to wash white muscovy ducks with before the show?
4. how can i sex the ducks? (2 are only young)
5. how can i be sure my duck is really an indian runner? i don't want to be entering the wrong breed...
6. does anyone have any duck showing tips?? i've never shown anything besides beef cattle before, so i have no idea...

thanks a heap guys!

 

[duckyfromoz]

hey,
so on behalf of my school (in Australia), i am trying to boost agriculture by taking 3 of our ducks to the most local Ag show. Good on you... Some of the smaller rural shows are dying out with more attendance at the Royals.

1. when my ducks are being judged, do i have to be in presence? No- but stay near by so that when judging is over you can speak to the judge about your birds. Speaking to a judge is a great way to learn how you can improve in the future.
2. what is involved in a Junior Exhibitors class? It can differ a bit between location- is there a contact on the entry form? You may be best phoning someone at the show society to ask.
3. what is a good product to wash white muscovy ducks with before the show? You can wash them with a mild soap a week before the show- only a small amount- that way the natural oils will have returned to the feathers- the night before the show- just wash in plain water. Being ducks they can normally do most of the washing bit themselves- but a good scrub of the feet may be needed to remove dead skin cells and brighten up the legs a bit.
4. how can i sex the ducks? (2 are only young) How young? If they havent finished feathering up by the show- they may be too young - can you post a picture and decribe how their voices sound? A good way to sex young ducks is by the voice if the males and females are not different colours.
5. how can i be sure my duck is really an indian runner? i don't want to be entering the wrong breed... Can you post a photo?
6. does anyone have any duck showing tips?? i've never shown anything besides beef cattle before, so i have no idea...

Have fun- dont take things too seriously if someone is negative. The winning bird on the day is the one the judge thinks is the best- it may not be- but that is his opinion- at a different show with a different judge things can be very different. Listen to what ever an older breeder can tell you. Olive oil on the bill and legs bring them up really well.
Dont leave prize cards on the cage where the ducks can eat them

Best of luck!! have a great day and hope you do well.

thanks a heap guys!