Phoenix Tail care?

[DominaPullorum]

Hello everyone!
Well, my show roos are growing up mighty quick. Their tails grow a little every day, it seems like. My question is, how do I take care of them? I don't want them to be all ratty for the show next year. Any advice appreciated!

 

[Attack Chicken]

I've heard just keep their bedding very clean. I would keep them separate 1 each in a good size pen so they don't scuff up or step on and damage their tails. I LOVE Phoenixs'!

 

[DominaPullorum]

Really? That would prevent the rattiness..? Because I keep a layer of swadust down at all times, and their tails still get a bit messed up..

 

[onthespot]

The ones I see pics of with flowing long tails always have high perches...

Maybe?

 

[DominaPullorum]

We're working on those..I just heard to wrap their tails in plastic wrap? WHAT?

 

[JKCASWELL]

I used to keep my show Phoenix's in 12 x 24 runs (indoor), that were solid on the sides, to prevent pacing trying to get to each other. They each had 1 hen for company, and were very content. I used a heavy layer of pine shavings on the ground, and kept the perches up 8 feet high. I also cleaned the pens 2 times a day minimum, and misted the feathers daily. My guys had glorious perfect tails, that is until they went to a show, in those tiny cages, and then they would get scruffed up, but never really damaged. I miss those boys

 

[Diritus]

i have heard things about wrapping their tails in cold weather to prevent them from freezing and hurting them? also, i was wondering about my cockrel phoenix's tail. It looks like theres a brown strip in his black tail that looks like the tip should have broken off and turned into a shorter, more rounded feather. Looking at my other cockrel who's the same age, his tail feathers are a bit shorter and more rounded, like they might have broken off. Do I need to trim off the ends of his tail at the brown stripe?

 

[nchls school]

This thread is older, but will ask my question anyway. Tennesse is/has been wet for months; heavy rain almost daily/every other day. My avatar bird free ranges. When penned, regardless of the pen's size, he damages his tail. Avatar is almost a year old and his tail, after having it broken and pulled out, has now gotten to 23.5 inches long and looks pretty good despite the rain and mud, but is there some kind of repellent that could be put on it to make the tail more resistant to rain and mud?