Hi, everyone!
We will be showing a breeding trio of our Welsummers in July, but I'm concerned about feathers bleaching in the sun and damage to back feathers on the hens. I'm planning on separating the fair birds in order to protect their good looks which would mean caging them inside the coop.
I noticed when we caged our cock last fall, his tail feathers were damaged and ratty looking after a just a few days in a wire cage. The cages we have currently are collapsable wire typically used at bird shows.
For those of you who show regularly, can we do anything to protect the tail feathers? When do you cage-train your birds? Is there a different cage you can suggest that is easier on their plumage?
Thanks for any and all advice!
We will be showing a breeding trio of our Welsummers in July, but I'm concerned about feathers bleaching in the sun and damage to back feathers on the hens. I'm planning on separating the fair birds in order to protect their good looks which would mean caging them inside the coop.
I noticed when we caged our cock last fall, his tail feathers were damaged and ratty looking after a just a few days in a wire cage. The cages we have currently are collapsable wire typically used at bird shows.
For those of you who show regularly, can we do anything to protect the tail feathers? When do you cage-train your birds? Is there a different cage you can suggest that is easier on their plumage?
Thanks for any and all advice!
