Show question-molting question

[grasspack]

Hello,

My 10 year old daughter and I are going to her first show this weekend. She is showing Bantam cochins, blue. She is really nervous and excited. She is a member of the APA ABA youth Program and is in the Flock tender division.

Anyhow...both of her birds are molting. Should we still go? They do not look reall raggy but they aren't in perfect shape either. Just not sure what the protocol is for this as we are new to this. Do people stay home when their birds go into a molt? I would think most peoples birds are molting this time of year. She really wants to go but I thought I would ask and see what everyone recommends.

Thanks for your help.

 

[sjarvis00]

Quote:
I think it depends on how bad they molting.. we went to show a few weeks ago, had all teh birds set asside and in good shape, one of the hens started dropping feathers before the judge got to her she had dropped 4 tail feathers..

Look at it as a good learning experience for her, and if teh birds are not in bad shape go ahead and go.. If she was showing in Open I would say not to bother or take a different bird but as junior it's still a good experience.

 

[grasspack]

Thanks for replying. They don't look to bad now but who knows what they will look like by Sunday But I think we will still go. Neither one of us has ever shown a chicken before but we are reading and trying to learn ahead of time. I have another question and should probably start a new thread...but I just read all chickens have to have a leg band to enter a show. Neither one of ours do. Where can I get them(on short notice). Are there different sizes? Do they fit ok with the feathered legs? Sorry for so many questions but we are learning as we go.

Thanks again

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

You can purchase leg bands at:
http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6_89

I use the bandettes so I can take them off after a show. I use wing bands on my birds so I know exactly which bird is which.

IF nothing else and you are in a tight pinch, take a zip strip (zip tie?) and put a plastic bead on it. Put it loosely on the bird's leg and trim the excess off. Write a number on the bead.

Voila. Numbered leg band.

 

[grasspack]

Thanks for the link!!! Show is this weekend. Just ordered them. Had to do two day shipping. Cost me $27 Live and Learn. All that matters is that Hannah has a good time. It would really have been bad had we showed up at show without bands and had to go home Really would have a learned a lesson then. I hope there is nothing else I am forgetting. Should the band #'s been written on her entry form?

Oh my....I feel chicken show illiterate

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

haha! I never write them on there, but sometimes it has "band numbers" on the entry form. As long as it doesn't, you shouldn't have an issue.