Need Help. Showing Questions.

[morninggloryhatchery]

Hi!
Well this year i am going to enter 12 of my chickens in the state fair we have once a year. They do not take blood tests ect of the bird there is a vet though that looks at the chickens just to give them a quick check over.I need help with what to do to show them. I understand that you can wash silkies for showing ( i will show Silkies next year but not this year) but can you wash other chickens with their feathers?
And would i just wash them with water or is there a special shampoo for them i could purchase to wash them?
And what about their nails? Beaks? How would i do this? And is there anything else i could do to make them look a little better for showing?

All help is appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[poultryhaven]

Quote:
I would dust them for mites before and after show. You can bathe chickens just do it a few days before that waythey are completely dry. You can use baby shampoo i'm pretty sure. I would double check. Use baby oil on their legs and toes and it will make them shiny and its acceptable and is not cheating.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Many use horse or dog shampoo. I know folks who use dishwashing liquid. To me that strips the oil out too much.

I generally use baby shampoo unless I am worried about mites/lice, then I use a dog fela shampoo. Ideally wash a week ahead so that there is time for the bird to pet oil back into it's feathers. Vinegar in the rinse water helps cut the soap. A bit of glycerin in the rinse water adds shine. Spray pinks on the bird when dry (not on silkies). Use vet-rx or baby oil to shine comb & toes. Trim beak & nails, as needed, with nail clippers.

Add rice and oatmeal or other grains to their diet--helps firm their poop, making spot cleaning easier. not to mention keeping the cage cleaner.

 

[Pathfinders]

I have a number of articles related to showing chickens on my website here:

http://www.pathfindersfarm.com/Articles.html

Let us know if you have specific questions, happy to help! And best of luck at your show.

 

[morninggloryhatchery]

Thanks for the help everyone! If i have another question that pops up i will post and ask.
Thanks Again!