Red sexlink hen...hmmm...what do you think?

[EffietheSilkie]

Hey everyone, thank for the the encouragement on keeping him for the "genetics" ..especially your comments LofMC. You answered some of the questions I have been wondering about...do you think (through the feed store) I can track down where he came from, and what breeding is behind him --or would that be a trade secret? lol I think one of my kiddos is going to enter him in the local fair this year. hoping that all goes well if we do it! I have never entered chickens, did horses as a kid-so I kind of know what to expect, but I keep wondering if it is a good idea -health wise --with a chicken. I'm guessing he would need to be quaranteened when he came back.
love byc! you guys are the best.

Hi,
At all fairs and poultry shows that I know of and have entered they do health checks on all the chickens before letting them in the fair. So as long as your fair does this I don't think it is necessary to quaranteen him because they will not even let chickens in the barn if they notice any health issues. You may want to quarantine him for a little bit upon arriving home just to be absolutely sure he's fine but I definitely wouldn't let being afraid of health issues stop you from entering the fair. Entering poultry shows is a really great experience and orginizers always try very hard not to let health issues become a problem.
If you decide to enter them I wish your kiddos the best of luck!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

4H showing is a great experience, and yes, they do health checks on all animals.

Unfortunately, many animals don't show symptoms but yet can pass illness on to others.

Professional breeders keep their show stock completely separate from their other birds, at all times, with different sheds and pens.

Obviously that could be overkill for a simple 4H project. Most recommend 30 day isolation after a show. It can help to avoid passing along something to the other birds such as MG or Marek's, both of which are shed without current symptoms.

And effective isolation means separate coops, pens, feed/water bowls, and no shared fence space.

Ideally, you change out of boots and at least coat, treating your main flock first.

It's a lot of effort, but can be wise.

LofMc

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

4H showing is a great experience, and yes, they do health checks on all animals.

Unfortunately, many animals don't show symptoms but yet can pass illness on to others.

Professional breeders keep their show stock completely separate from their other birds, at all times, with different sheds and pens.

Obviously that could be overkill for a simple 4H project. Most recommend 30 day isolation after a show. It can help to avoid passing along something to the other birds such as MG or Marek's, both of which are shed without current symptoms.

And effective isolation means separate coops, pens, feed/water bowls, and no shared fence space.

Ideally, you change out of boots and at least coat, treating your main flock first.

It's a lot of effort, but can be wise.

LofMc

X2
Due to the incubation period of many illnesses and the fact that the period of being contagious often falls at the timer when symptoms are not showing quarantine is important. Most of the checking centers on external parasites, the least of your worries with regards to things they can catch