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

[I Love Layers]

What does "Should dbl coop" mean?

Double cooping is where you take the divider out between the two cages to make a cage double the size. Personally I am suprised to see this written, as I show LF Cochins and I have had numerous judges tell me they would rather see our birds filling a single coop cage then having all the room in a double

 

[Mosey2003]

Ahhhh, thanks!

 

[Christina.Rich]

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

Your post just helped me out a TON! Thank you

I was wondering though, what's the use/need for the bucket with vinegar? Is it just to get all the shampoo off, or is there another reason for it too?

I've got a couple white & a couple splash colored cochins that I would like to bathe and am curious if there is something specific that I can use to get any stains off their white feet feathers

 

[Mosey2003]

Vinegar cuts shampoo, I learned that back when I had horses. Removes the residue so there isn't skin irritation.

 

[Christina.Rich]

Vinegar cuts shampoo, I learned that back when I had horses. Removes the residue so there isn't skin irritation.

Great to know, thank you!

Do you have any advice on the "stain removal" of feathers? Do you have good experiences with that shampoo for chickens on removing stains?

I have been doing some research and have seen people say things from using Dawn Dish soap, to laundry detergent, to something called "blue shampoo". Just want to see what made you choose the brand of shampoo that you use @I Love Layers

 

[Mosey2003]

We always used a blue shampoo called Quic Silver on the white on horses. Dunno about chickens.

 

[BlackHackle]

Do you need to bring a show cage or do they supply a cage?

 

[cmom]

Do you have any advice on the "stain removal" of feathers? Do you have good experiences with that shampoo for chickens on removing stains?

I have been doing some research and have seen people say things from using Dawn Dish soap, to laundry detergent, to something called "blue shampoo". Just want to see what made you choose the brand of shampoo that you use @I Love Layers

Often people use warm water but on white birds it doesn't work too well. Cool /cold water I have found works better. I use the silver brightening shampoo (My husbands hair is white). I don't think it matters on the brand. Don't put it on straight without diluting it or you may get a purplish/bluish color.

 

[LilJoe]

Do you need to bring a show cage or do they supply a cage?

At the fairs i go to (Starting off small) we need to bring our own cages. At the "big" shows, though, they supply cages.

 

[I Love Layers]

Your post just helped me out a TON! Thank you

I was wondering though, what's the use/need for the bucket with vinegar? Is it just to get all the shampoo off, or is there another reason for it too?

I've got a couple white & a couple splash colored cochins that I would like to bathe and am curious if there is something specific that I can use to get any stains off their white feet feathers

What @Mosey2003 said was correct it cuts any remaining shampoo. As for the whites I am not 100% sure as I am just starting on white cochins this year, but I agree with what @cmom said and I have heard of other people with whites doing the same thing. The best thing to do is always keep your whites as clean as possible all the timr.

Do you need to bring a show cage or do they supply a cage?

Shows will should the cage. However it doesn't hurt to call ahead and if you have something like a large bird (goose, turkey, peafowl) I would suggest contacting someone who is in the charge of the show, especially if it is a county fair because some will not have cages big enough for them.