Hey there BYCers!
As you may know, there is a show in Jacksonville, GA this Saturday, and I was wondering, what is there that you need to get ready for a show for? I was thinking about entering some chickens in the show, and I'd like to know what I need and how to do some stuff. This is my first time going to a chicken show so....
This could also be a good informational forum for chicken-show newbies like me.
"Articles of Interest":
-Never take a dirty bird to a show. Completely bath and dry your birds, clip and file beaks and nails....make them look as good as they can.
Birds are easier to bathe than dogs....it's a breeze.
-Know your deadlines/entry dates.
- You need to enter a week or more in advance of the show. But go to one and see what they're like if you can. Most people there are very helpful and encouraging. They will talk your ear off if you let them! They want to encourage everyone.
Some shows are very laid back, but some are very wild. You may even see Grown men with chamois cloths buffing up their birds before the judging starts. And many people brush their silkies with hair brushes. It is very interesting.
If your chickens stay pretty clean, You don't have to bathe them. But if you do, You should bathe them a couple of days before the show so they have time to fully fluff out again. You could probably use a small amount of cat shampoo. Baby shampoo works really well too. You probably want to keep them in a cleaner area until show time.
Give yourself plenty of extra time when you take your birds to be cooped. There may be people ahead of you getting their testing done. Be aware they will have to draw some blood to do the testing, so the chickers may not be happy about that! And you may get messy as you hold them afterwards.
Its difficult testing silkies because it's so hard to find a vein.
Have a dog crate or seperate area to hold your chickens for a few days/week after the show to make sure they didn't pick up an ailment. People stick their fingers into cages to touch many birds as they travel down each aisle.
Make sure to take very good care of feeding & watering the birds. Watch out for roosters, and if they fight with the dude in the cage next door let the show folks know. They can put cardboard in between to keep them from trashing themselves against the cage wall.
-If your chickens were tested recently then bring your papers for the next show, As long as it is within 6 months.
You can use a damp cloth to wipe their feet when they're really dirty, but that's what some people do.
-U can use the cheapest shampoo and conditioner for humans (like Suave) or anything else. Last time, you can even use Flea and Tick shampoo for dogs/cats to help in case your babies have mites/lice.
Use 3 tubs of lukewarm water. One for shampooing, one for condition, and one for a final rinse. Put a capful of vinegar in that final tub to cut any shampoo/conditioner residue off the feathers.
You should probably keep them in pet carrying cages afterward and turn the hair dryer on them on warm until they are dry. Keep them in a warm, dry area indoors until showtime.
Use an ordinary fingernail file to clip nails and beaks and file with a nail file.
Advice Contributed by: wyldehorses, dixiechick, and wegotchickens.
Thanks!
-SeramaSweetie (Cheyenne)
As you may know, there is a show in Jacksonville, GA this Saturday, and I was wondering, what is there that you need to get ready for a show for? I was thinking about entering some chickens in the show, and I'd like to know what I need and how to do some stuff. This is my first time going to a chicken show so....
"Articles of Interest":
-Never take a dirty bird to a show. Completely bath and dry your birds, clip and file beaks and nails....make them look as good as they can.
Birds are easier to bathe than dogs....it's a breeze.
-Know your deadlines/entry dates.
- You need to enter a week or more in advance of the show. But go to one and see what they're like if you can. Most people there are very helpful and encouraging. They will talk your ear off if you let them! They want to encourage everyone.
Some shows are very laid back, but some are very wild. You may even see Grown men with chamois cloths buffing up their birds before the judging starts. And many people brush their silkies with hair brushes. It is very interesting.
If your chickens stay pretty clean, You don't have to bathe them. But if you do, You should bathe them a couple of days before the show so they have time to fully fluff out again. You could probably use a small amount of cat shampoo. Baby shampoo works really well too. You probably want to keep them in a cleaner area until show time.
Give yourself plenty of extra time when you take your birds to be cooped. There may be people ahead of you getting their testing done. Be aware they will have to draw some blood to do the testing, so the chickers may not be happy about that! And you may get messy as you hold them afterwards.
Its difficult testing silkies because it's so hard to find a vein.
Have a dog crate or seperate area to hold your chickens for a few days/week after the show to make sure they didn't pick up an ailment. People stick their fingers into cages to touch many birds as they travel down each aisle.
Make sure to take very good care of feeding & watering the birds. Watch out for roosters, and if they fight with the dude in the cage next door let the show folks know. They can put cardboard in between to keep them from trashing themselves against the cage wall.
-If your chickens were tested recently then bring your papers for the next show, As long as it is within 6 months.
You can use a damp cloth to wipe their feet when they're really dirty, but that's what some people do.
-U can use the cheapest shampoo and conditioner for humans (like Suave) or anything else. Last time, you can even use Flea and Tick shampoo for dogs/cats to help in case your babies have mites/lice.
Use 3 tubs of lukewarm water. One for shampooing, one for condition, and one for a final rinse. Put a capful of vinegar in that final tub to cut any shampoo/conditioner residue off the feathers.
You should probably keep them in pet carrying cages afterward and turn the hair dryer on them on warm until they are dry. Keep them in a warm, dry area indoors until showtime.
Use an ordinary fingernail file to clip nails and beaks and file with a nail file.
Advice Contributed by: wyldehorses, dixiechick, and wegotchickens.
Thanks!
-SeramaSweetie (Cheyenne)
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