How and What to Feed Show Birds?

[LilJoe]

Hello!

Im just getting into breeding and showing and am wondering what and how to feed them way before, right before, during, and after exhibition.

Thank you!

~LilJoe

 

[Poultrybreeder]

I use Gamecock Conditioner for my showbirds, it is full of vitamins and will really help them act better. I would begin feeding them this two months before the show, and you can go back to their regular feed as soon as you take them home. You can put them in their own area for the special feed, to guarantee that they are getting it, not the ones you are not wanting to show. I am going to tell you something that probably most other people don't know, if you get big chickens ex. Buff Orpingtons, as chicks, give them Turkey Feed from the time they are 1 month until they are 4 months, it will increase their growth greatly. I did this to my Buff rooster, and then he placed 1st in his category at the county fair. He currently weighs 10 pounds! I would also recommend giving them vitamins, such as Cod Liver Oil, and B12, if you do this, start about 1 month before the show, it pays off! I hope this helps!

 

[LilJoe]

Thank you @Poultrybreeder !
Do the vitamins in the feed do something with their feathers or just........? (sorry just starting! )

When Im feeding them their "regular feed" do I just feed layer pellets or something else?


Thanks for the advice!!!!!

~LilJoe

 

[LilJoe]

@BantyChooks ?
@Sonoran Silkies ?

 

[BantyChooks]

My mentor told me to feed birds heading for shows 28% protein feed.

 

[LilJoe]

My mentor told me to feed birds heading for shows 28% protein feed.

Thank you!
About 30% sounds high!

 

[Poultrybreeder]

Ths vitamins in their special feed make their feathers shinier and softer, and no, you don't have to add later pellets or something to their regular feed if you don't want to

 

[Poultrybreeder]

Ths vitamins in their special feed make their feathers shinier and softer, and no, you don't have to add layer pellets or something to their regular feed if you don't want to

but they need a little bit higher quality feed than this alone, not much though

 

[LilJoe]

Thank you!
Now...
Is there a 'neat' way to feed them?

My bantam cochins scratch their feed out with their beaks.

Thay make a huge mess!!!

 

[Poultrybreeder]

You could try little trays with holes just big enough to fit their beaks in, while being small enough they can't scratch it everywhere