How do my Mille Fleur OEGBs look for showing?

[Attack Chicken]

I'm hoping to show these but I'm finding it hard to pic out the best from the 4. These are from a breeder in IL and are from SQ parents. And what is this a good age to dub them?

#1 Spanky

#2 Runt

#3 Spunky

#4 Buck

 

[Attack Chicken]

They hatched on St. Patricks day.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

I'm not an OEGB show expert, but they are looking good for their age. They could use some more tail and color IMHO. There is a good book that tells you how to dub. I think the cover is yellow and is soft-cover.

 

[Lover-of-Poultry]

SQ or Not THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL!

 

[UrbanPolish]

I read in a book that it's painless to dub them as chicks if possible, but you're not going to do a good job. For showing, the best time for dubbing is when the comb and wattles are big enough you can see what you're doing.

 

[Attack Chicken]

Thanks

I'm also deciding if I should keep them or what ones I should keep. Their molting right now so their growing their tailfeathers back in.

 

[Kanchii]

So far I don't think they are looking much like show quality. But maybe in a few months they'll look better.

 

[blackred]

Male OE take longer to develop than the pullets. These have a ways to go before you can judge them for type and color. Also it is hard to judge a bird by pictures, especially ones pecking the ground. I see no major faults yet but Millie Fleur's never have the best of type and the color is always suspect. The pullets usually are the better in type and color.
Until the males have their full tail and hackles you will not be able to judge them. The biggest fault with Millie's( and all varieties that are considered "lesser") is the tails feathers are too narrow, wing carriage is low and hackles are not full.
Keep in mind that the older they get the more white they get, that is why you rarely see cock birds of good color.

As far as dubbing- the general rule is when the sickle feathers are finished out that is when you dub them. I wait till the weather is cool and do it at night. There are numerous articles out there including a book put out by the ABA. Dave Sherrill's book on OE also covers dubbing. It is also offered by the ABA and should be on their website.
I have NEVER heard of someone dubbing chicks.

For the record I raised and showed Millie's and Blue Millie's for 3 years. Only because my wife made me. They are interresting but just have too many issues for me. I have bigger fish to fry.

Bob

 

[DiVon80]

 

[moduckman]

Dub when the combs and waddles are near fully grown.Too soon and the comb will get a little bigger and you may have to take off the excess. As far as show quality, I'm not anexpert on the variety, but I can say it is hard for a Mille to beat most of the other varieties. In fact, I have not seen one on champion row to date. sorry.