show quality standards?

[Chicalina]

Possibility of cross contamination between birds of transmissible diseases. It needs to be a really well organised show with good biosecurity measures in place to keep all birds sufficiently separated, no poop dropping from one cage to another, far apart enough to avoid even respiratory infections crossing over. My experience of shows is that they stack the cages on top of each other, and fairly closely side by side. People going round to look at the birds being able to poke inside the cages from cage to cage. Never mind the risk of covid to yourself thrown into that mix.

Also the ordeal of travelling and being caged in unfamiliar surroundings with the sound, sight and smell of a hundred other birds in close proximity is a stressful experience for a bird. Plus all the waiting and time spent away from home.

I'm sure others have had better experiences than me.

I would love to show my birds, but I don't think it is fair on them even though I'd enjoy it (and I'd love the competitive element). All they want to do is be themselves in their familiar place. For me the rule of thumb is whether I'd be doing it for them or for me. If it was for me, then I wouldn't do it.

Just my view.

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

Also the ordeal of travelling and being caged in unfamiliar surroundings with the sound, sight and smell of a hundred other birds in close proximity is a stressful experience for a bird. Plus all the waiting and time spent away from home.

]
i do get what you are saying about keeping them from getting sick, but some ducks like to travel.

mine actually get excited when they see their harness because they know adventure is coming

 

[JacinLarkwell]

]
i do get what you are saying about keeping them from getting sick, but some ducks like to travel.

mine actually get excited when they see their harness because they know adventure is coming

Not really the same thing. A bird that's sick may not show it, but that doesn't mean it won't pass to other birds. Any time you bring a bird away from their home, you risk using that bird to bring diseases back home

 

[Chicalina]

]
i do get what you are saying about keeping them from getting sick, but some ducks like to travel.

mine actually get excited when they see their harness because they know adventure is coming

Hmmm...perhaps think about how you could replicate a more natural duck life and consider how *their* needs are met by travelling and dressing them up and putting them in harnesses.

I'm sure the excitement you perceive is potentially anthropomorphic.

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

Hmmm...perhaps think about how you could replicate a more natural duck life and consider how *their* needs are met by travelling and dressing them up and putting them in harnesses.

I'm sure the excitement you perceive is potentially anthropomorphic.

i can promise you they are very happy and spoiled ducks. just like they associate the treat bag with excitement, they do the harness. they know it means they’ll get to swim in a pond, meet new people, and/or go on a car ride.

not everyone brings their ducks places and that’s okay, but also please don’t assume i would do anything my ducks didn’t like.

 

[Northwest_Wannabe]

Could you please start a new thread post on that topic so not to hijack this post. I am sure others like myself would be very interested in your knowledge of that type of show poultry. Just trying to be respectful to this OP.

Not sure how I was hijacking, they asked about shows, I talked about shows ;D poultry shows vary a lot depending on whose hosting them, where they're hosted and who they're for ^^

i don’t mind if you post about that in this thread. i would love to learn more of this myself.

I'll grab my standard after dinner and get the info for the breeds you have

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

Not sure how I was hijacking, they asked about shows, I talked about shows ;D poultry shows vary a lot depending on whose hosting them, where they're hosted and who they're for ^^


I'll grab my standard after dinner and get the info for the breeds you have

thank you!

 

[Chicalina]

i can promise you they are very happy and spoiled ducks. just like they associate the treat bag with excitement, they do the harness. they know it means they’ll get to swim in a pond, meet new people, and/or go on a car ride.

not everyone brings their ducks places and that’s okay, but also please don’t assume i would do anything my ducks didn’t like.

I don't doubt they are spoiled. From your other threads I can see how much you adore your ducks and want the best for them.

Are you very young?

I do think you are treating them a bit like puppies and less like ducks. I can see how a swim and treats will motivate a duck but I cannot fathom how a car ride or meeting new people is at all interesting for a duck. Unless they associate it with treats for example. Or if they are imprinted on you, perhaps the experience is rewarding just because they get more attention from you on a trip.

Also, I might be harking on about disease, but mixing your ducks in public ponds where wild birds swim is asking for your ducks to get sick.

Each to their own, but don't equate a trip to a pond with a poultry show, which can be noisy, chaotic, stressful and full of poultry disease. They have to be left alone in a bare cage without you while judging takes place and that can take hours. They can get disoriented and scared. Then they have got a stranger (without you there) reaching in and picking them up, turning them over, checking them out etc. Would they be OK without you in a hall with hundreds of ducks and chickens all squawking and quacking (sometimes in distress)? Would you be prepared to quarantine the shown duck from your other birds for 30 days when you got home? They would be lonely and have to reintegrate into the flock afresh after that time. Or would you risk bringing a respiratory disease that could kill them all?

I'm painting a terrible picture because it can be that bad for them. Some shows are better organised, smaller numbers of birds, less crowded, but you need to have all the info before you make a decision. Go and visit a couple before you decide whether to show your ducks.

And as I said before, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. I mean, what would they really get out of it, compared to staying at home with their flockmates in their own surroundings, doing ducky things?