Kids showing hen for first time...any tips?

[Britcheflee]

This year the kids are entering one of our hens into the local farm/ag fair...well, sadly it has become a regular fair with rides and side games manned by dubious looking characters with some ag stuff pushed to the back...anyway, less of that.
We chose a handsome Rhode Island Red. She is a good size, has good plumage and calm temprament.

Are there any basic tips for perhaps a chicken 'makeover' we can do? Can you wash them? Wipe down legs, trim nails etc?

Its all for fun so we are not trying to turn her into a pagent queen or anything...just want to have her look her best!



Lee

 

[NancyP]

I have no idea. I just wanted to wish you luck and a great time.
Nancy

 

[Britcheflee]

Thanks!
Ill take some pictures and post them in due course.

No beauty tips from anyone?

Lee

 

[Cetawin]

Congrats and good luck with her.

Yes you can bath them and trim nails and etc. Use kitten/cat shampoo and there is something you can put on her feathers to make her feathers shiny.

So a search here for "how to wash a chicken" or "Giving a chicken a bath"

There is a great thread with tons of good pictures.

Also there is a lady in the BST area that make booties for them to keep their feet clean for show chickens...you could get a pair, clean her feet the day of the show and put her booties on till showtime.

 

[scarter]

Wash in warm water and rinse twice to get any and all shampoo off. We put ours in a dog crate to dry off after holding them in a towel for 10 minutes. Before the show rub vaseline on their beaks, legs and waddles and combs. Not a ton just enough to make them look nice. Oh and a week before make sure you check very closely for lice and mites. Treat before cause they will check upon entering the barn.

Video the kids with their chickens on a table and ask them questions about their breed and how to take care of them and anything else special about their chicken just to get them talking.

I've heard that if you pour a can (can is important) of sprite or 7-up over a white chicken it will make them a super pretty white. I think this works on white bunnies and cats too. I'm going to try it on our white silkies and frizzles to see if it's a wives tale or not.