There are paper/plastic cups available free, but many people bring their own. I use the kind that clamp through kennel doors, they hold 20oz. If you are showing bantams, you will want something smaller, I have heard that yogurt cups or Jello pudding cups work well, and fit nicely into the clips on the cages, the bantam cages are considerably smaller than the LF cages. Naturally waterfowl will need something larger yet, unless you have Calls.
You will need to feed and water your own stock. Again, there will be feed there, or you can bring your own. Access into cages is limited to people with lanyards (as an exhibitor you will get one when you check in).
Something you may not have considered is your birds will housed near others who may be carrying bugs. It is a good idea to spray, dust or daub them as you coop out, just as a preventative for bringing home undesired guests. A person who has mentored me in my chicken exhibition revival swears by Adams Flea and Tick (she likes its smell). I prefer to use Eprinex, which also counts as my mid-winter worming.
Just treat your birds as you load them up for the ride home. This would apply to any birds you might purchase in the sale barn too!
There are no roosts in the cages, and I do not believe they are allowed, and unless you have a double sized cage, there isnt enough room. Reading the rules, drapes and backdrops are not allowed (judges need an unobstructed view going down the row). That said, there will be instances where cocks and even hens will try and fence fight with their neighbors. I observed many a cardboard box broken down and slipped between birds to stop this last year. I plan on bringing some poster board just incase. I assume it will be permitted once judging is complete.
Those spectators arriving on Sunday, remember the cages must be empty prior to 12noon. If you are travelling any distance to get there, you might want to keep this in mind so you are not disappointed, especially if you can make the shows in Fresno or in Fortuna that are held in mid-February.
Happy chicken washing everyone!
PS- Rumor has it the sale barn is open for sales on Friday afternoon
. Bring Cash. 4-Hers have a table set up and are designated by many of the sellers to act as the custodians for their birds-- the kids will take the cash, and help you crate or examine any birds you are interested in. Sellers pay for them to do this.
