Show Prep,, Bathing, Feeding, etc (TIPS NEEDED)

[LilJoe]

This is going to be my second show. How do y'all bathe your birds and how long before the show day? (Both silkies and normal feathered birds) What about feed? What do you feed them before the show? During the show? How much per day before?
Anything else would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
LilJoe

 

[nicalandia]

How do y'all bathe your birds

My birds bathe themselves in dirt...


.... but I don't show them

 

[LilJoe]

My birds bathe themselves in dirt...


.... but I don't show them

 

[Christina.Rich]

This is going to be my second show. How do y'all bathe your birds and how long before the show day? (Both silkies and normal feathered birds) What about feed? What do you feed them before the show? During the show? How much per day before?
Anything else would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
LilJoe

Following! I'd love to see the answers you get because I have the same question(s)

 

[cmom]

I show my birds and I usually bathe them the day before the I take the birds. The shows are usually on a Saturday and I coop my birds in usually the day before the show and I bathe the birds the day before I coop them. Bathe on Thursday, coop in on Friday and the show is on Saturday.

 

[I Love Layers]

BATHING

What You Need
•3 Tubs
•1 bottle of Mane and Tail Shampoo
•Bottle of White Vinegar
•Toothbrush
•Small Dish Cloth
•Large Towel
•Blow Dryer(optional)

NEED TO KNOWS & SUGGESTIONS
•DO NOT let the birds head go under, or drink any water especially after shampoo!
•If your water smells like pickles in the 2nd tub either add more water or dump it out.
•Make sure you get under the birds wings and underside in each step!
• For the 3rd tub I like to only fill it halfway up the birds breast. This is just a personal preference though.

1. Fill all of the tubs with warm water, first and second up to the bottom of the birds neck, have the shamoo bottle placed right next to the first tub. And the toothbrush next to the third
2. In the second tub add 1/3 of a cup of vinegar.
3. Grab the bird and soak it in the first tub, you want to make sure you get the bird wet everywhere.
4. Take the bird out of the tub and lather it with shampoo. Make sure you get everywhere.
5. Place the bird back into the first tub and scrub the shampoo around, try to get as much off as possible.
6. After scrubbing the shampoo around on the bird place it in the second tub.
7. The second tub helps discard any left over shampoo so make sure you get this water everywhere.
8. Place the bird in the 3rd tub. This is where I make sure the vent feathers and everywhere else is clean. Scrub the legs, and tops of feet(as long as clean legged*) with the toothbrush.
9. Take the bird out of the last tub and fold it up in the towel.
10. Now you have option to either blow dry or air dry your bird.
10A. If you choose to air dry you want to keep your bird in the towel for at least half an hour to make sure it will not get chilled. You also want there to be a breeze outside. 90F or warmer temperature is the best. Keep the bird outside until it is dry.

10B. If you choose to blow dry, the simpler option in my opinion. All you need is a place to blow dry your bird. In the summer months I have a fan also. In the summer I will often take turns blow drying birds. I will blow dry one bird for 5 minutes, and then put that bird in front of the fan and blow dry the other bird. I will keep doing this until they are fully dry. Make sure you get uner the wings, around the vent, and underneath the bird.
11. Everything is done. Now place the bird back in the conditioning cage.

*if clean legged run your fingers through to make sure

Make sure the bird has trimmed toenails and beak if needed.
Most judges do not like birds with artificial, spray on sheen or vaseline or any type of oil on the comb.

Do you have a show box already together?
What breed are you showing?

Sorry if it is kind of spacey I wrote this up quickly

 

[I Love Layers]

This is going to be my second show. How do y'all bathe your birds and how long before the show day? (Both silkies and normal feathered birds) What about feed? What do you feed them before the show? During the show? How much per day before?
Anything else would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
LilJoe

1) Bathing instructions above. As for how soon before the show, it depends on the breed, tight or loose feathering and other factors. I have done everything from a week before the show to the day before, and for my LF Cochins I like 2-3 days before. For the tighter feathered birds I like 5 days before/
2) For feed I usually feed chick feed.
3) Before the show I feed the same thing up until the evening before and I will add some scratch grains in to harden up their poop. The morning of the show get there early and take feed and water(sometimes if it is extremely hot I will leave water in)out of the cages.
4) During the show some shows will take care of the birds, however I would ask if they would not so that you can continue the regular feeding regimen.
5) How much your birds eat is up to you. Every bird is different, some of my hens eat more then others, and vice versa. They need enough to keep them at the correct weight but not so much that they become fat

 

[gojira]

Most judges do not like birds with artificial, spray on sheen or vaseline or any type of oil on the comb.

Most of the top exhibitors must be doing things wrong. Some use Vaseline, many use baby oil or VetRX on the comb, face, wattles, and shanks and toes.

3) Before the show I feed the same thing up until the evening before and I will add some scratch grains in to harden up their poop. The morning of the show get there early and take feed and water(sometimes if it is extremely hot I will leave water in)out of the cages.
5) How much your birds eat is up to you. Every bird is different, some of my hens eat more then others, and vice versa. They need enough to keep them at the correct weight but not so much that they become fat

If a bird has loose droppings, that should be addressed before a show. If a bird is fat, that should be addressed by diet. Birds should be the correct weight, but should also be in good condition. That is a combination of breeding and nutrition.

 

[I Love Layers]

Most of the top exhibitors must be doing things wrong. Some use Vaseline, many use baby oil or VetRX on the comb, face, wattles, and shanks and toes.



If a bird has loose droppings, that should be addressed before a show. If a bird is fat, that should be addressed by diet. Birds should be the correct weight, but should also be in good condition. That is a combination of breeding and nutrition.

All of the judges I have ever had would rather have a bird with natural sheen and color then it being added on.
It will firm up the poop even more, it isn't that its loose previously it makes for easier cleaning and helps with mess.

 

[LilJoe]

BATHING

What You Need
•3 Tubs
•1 bottle of Mane and Tail Shampoo
•Bottle of White Vinegar
•Toothbrush
•Small Dish Cloth
•Large Towel
•Blow Dryer(optional)

NEED TO KNOWS & SUGGESTIONS
•DO NOT let the birds head go under, or drink any water especially after shampoo!
•If your water smells like pickles in the 2nd tub either add more water or dump it out.
•Make sure you get under the birds wings and underside in each step!
• For the 3rd tub I like to only fill it halfway up the birds breast. This is just a personal preference though.

1. Fill all of the tubs with warm water, first and second up to the bottom of the birds neck, have the shamoo bottle placed right next to the first tub. And the toothbrush next to the third
2. In the second tub add 1/3 of a cup of vinegar.
3. Grab the bird and soak it in the first tub, you want to make sure you get the bird wet everywhere.
4. Take the bird out of the tub and lather it with shampoo. Make sure you get everywhere.
5. Place the bird back into the first tub and scrub the shampoo around, try to get as much off as possible.
6. After scrubbing the shampoo around on the bird place it in the second tub.
7. The second tub helps discard any left over shampoo so make sure you get this water everywhere.
8. Place the bird in the 3rd tub. This is where I make sure the vent feathers and everywhere else is clean. Scrub the legs, and tops of feet(as long as clean legged*) with the toothbrush.
9. Take the bird out of the last tub and fold it up in the towel.
10. Now you have option to either blow dry or air dry your bird.
10A. If you choose to air dry you want to keep your bird in the towel for at least half an hour to make sure it will not get chilled. You also want there to be a breeze outside. 90F or warmer temperature is the best. Keep the bird outside until it is dry.

10B. If you choose to blow dry, the simpler option in my opinion. All you need is a place to blow dry your bird. In the summer months I have a fan also. In the summer I will often take turns blow drying birds. I will blow dry one bird for 5 minutes, and then put that bird in front of the fan and blow dry the other bird. I will keep doing this until they are fully dry. Make sure you get uner the wings, around the vent, and underneath the bird.
11. Everything is done. Now place the bird back in the conditioning cage.

*if clean legged run your fingers through to make sure

Make sure the bird has trimmed toenails and beak if needed.
Most judges do not like birds with artificial, spray on sheen or vaseline or any type of oil on the comb.

Do you have a show box already together?
What breed are you showing?

Sorry if it is kind of spacey I wrote this up quickly

Thank you so very much! Does the vinegar go in the second tub?
Show box? As in a box to carry them to the show in(sorry... new)? At this show I am showing a silkie, a couple seramas, and a marans, but my main focus is the seramas.