How to Get a Chicken Ready for a Show?

[GlicksChicks]

Hello, I have been considering showing some chickens for the first time. At the moment I am trying to decide between my Buckeye rooster and my Legbar hens.

I don't know what, if anything, I need to teach the chickens before the show.

The show is in January, so I have plenty of time to take the necessary steps if any training is needed.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Debbie292d]

Here's an article that might help.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-ready-a-rooster-for-a-show.79154/

And a good thread as well!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/showing-birds-part-1-the-weeks-leading-up-to-show.1608453/

 

[GlicksChicks]

Here's an article that might help.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-ready-a-rooster-for-a-show.79154/

And a good thread as well!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/showing-birds-part-1-the-weeks-leading-up-to-show.1608453/

Thank you!!

 

[GlicksChicks]

Here's an article that might help.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-ready-a-rooster-for-a-show.79154/

And a good thread as well!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/showing-birds-part-1-the-weeks-leading-up-to-show.1608453/

Question about the Vaseline on the comb and waddles. Could I use VetRX on his comb and waddles instead? It is supposed to give them a nice luster and shine, it even talks about doing it on the bottle. And, as a plus, it will help him breathe if he gets stressed.

 

[Debbie292d]

Question about the Vaseline on the comb and waddles. Could I use VetRX on his comb and waddles instead? It is supposed to give them a nice luster and shine, it even talks about doing it on the bottle. And, as a plus, it will help him breathe if he gets stressed.

I sure don't see why not! Great idea!

 

[GlicksChicks]

I sure don't see why not! Great idea!

I think I'll do that!

 

[I Like Turkeys]

If the show is in January, you’ve got a lot of prep time. Keeping the birds in a clean, dry environment where they won’t tatter their feathers is most important- once they molt, you’ll want to be sure they’re in such conditions. It’s hard to get birds looking good for show when they’ve tattered their feathers and stained themselves, so just keeping them clean long term is important.

Cage training- moving them to like dog crates or other smaller cages for a few hours, and also handling them regularly, is also important. Birds who aren’t used to the smaller spaces are more likely to get stressed, or tear their own feathers/scratch themselves up while pacing.

 

[GlicksChicks]

If the show is in January, you’ve got a lot of prep time. Keeping the birds in a clean, dry environment where they won’t tatter their feathers is most important- once they molt, you’ll want to be sure they’re in such conditions. It’s hard to get birds looking good for show when they’ve tattered their feathers and stained themselves, so just keeping them clean long term is important.

Cage training- moving them to like dog crates or other smaller cages for a few hours, and also handling them regularly, is also important. Birds who aren’t used to the smaller spaces are more likely to get stressed, or tear their own feathers/scratch themselves up while pacing.

I live in Texas- so dry places aren't all that hard thankfully!

The rooster gets handled a good bit and one of the Legbars are very sweet. As for cage training, I need to get me a cage small enough for that. The only cage I have is a very large dog kennel.