Just entered my first show need a Mentor for showing silkies

[Sonoran Silkies]

I do not pull feed, but do pull water the day of the show; if you use pop-bottle waterers, you will not need to pull as they cannot dunk their whole head. Whole grains firm up poop (as does adding DE in the feed, and in my experience live-culture yogurt). At most shows I have been at, silkies are judged near the end.

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

Sonoran, do your Silkies use the pop-bottle waterers? I bought one on impulse at a show and I'd like to train mine how to use it, but I wanted to know if you had any lost-cause birds? I already know a few of mine would never be able to aim well enough.

 

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

I have the pop water bottle things and I already have DE in the food. We are leaving at 3 am judging starts at 9, I was not planning on offering food before the drive anyway. I did a practice bath and blow out today trying a few tricks I was already given by Ultasol. They don't look too bad! On the cockerel I did notice 2 broken feathers, well really just one and I broke the other.

That is not a dq is it? Matter of fact I would like to know some of the dqs that could happen. Neither have any as far as I know. The pullet does have 2 of the little horns. The next show close by is Dec. 4th, The Davy Crockett Classic in Lawrenceburg. I hope to be able to put the better quality silkies and showgirls I have coming from Jen next week in that one. So I'm looking at this show as a practice for the Dec. show.
Thanks for everyones help!

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

A few broken feathers shouldn't be a DQ. Although judges don't like to see them...

Besides the obvious DQs (skin color, comb type, # of toes) crooked beaks are one. I know it seems obvious but some crooks can be well hidden. Pick up the birds and look at the beaks from the bottom of it. Both should be lined up normally. But even some judges don't notice this. Split wing is one as you mentioned...there are more but my brain isn't working right now...

If you have questions, always approach the judge after the show for specifics. And I'm not sure if it's been mentioned on here, but bring extra shavings. Sometimes the shows don't provide alot.

 

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

Thanks PolishPrincess great advice. I did not know the shows provided shaving to begin with I had planned on taking my own. I am not 100% he has split wings but does have over shredding. I just want him to be judged, I do not expect to win. Jack Ferguson will be there and I hope to ask him a few questions. Bubba fluffed up very nice after drying him backwards. None of the birds I have on the property have the dq's you mentioned. Not that I know of at least. I only have 25ish or now, so I am able to keep a pretty close eye on things. I have so much going on this week I probably should have not entered but I really wanted to for the experience and fun. I was going to go either way may a well enter bird or 2 in this case. What is the youngest age they can be entered? I have 2 really nice blacks but they are about 4 mths if I am not mistaken.

On a side note I got word last night my husband is slotted to come home from Iraq for Christmas. He has not had a Chirstmas home in several years. So this is a big deal. Bad thing is........ I have a brooder full of chicks where the tree goes.

Oh and 7 fertile eggs in the bator with 10 more waiting to go in. Whatever shall I do. He will have a fit! I plan to move it to the spare room which also happens to be his office/craft room. Neiter is sounding too good at the moment. Got any ideas on how to reslove this issue?

 

[NEK38583]

Good Luck ! Don't worry to much. Even the ones you talk about showing for years had to start out sometime; at some point they was in the same position you are now. Just have fun. If one of your birds was to get DQ just chalk it up to experience and move on. I always have fun meeting new people and looking at all the birds. Just don't be like me when I go to a show and end up coming home with double the number of birds I left with