Showing at 4H fair question...

[Hoosiermomma]

Hi. This question if for all those who have either shown or have kids who show at 4h. What type of prep goes into getting the birds ready for showing? In our kid's book it talks about washing them in dawn, rinsing in a solution with maliathon (sp?) and glycerin? Does this sound right? We have three pair that we are showing. The oldest is around 5-6 mos the next ones 3-4 . I know they older the better but this is their first year and they just want to get some experience showing. The older pair has a chance but the younger I'm sure won't. But.....you never know. Anyway I would appreciate any information or advice you could give.

 

[Hurst]

When I was in 4-H I would always wash them 1 day before the show and trim the beaks and toes. I would also put neosporin on there combs the day of the show so the combs are bright red.

 

[AkTomboy]

I agree wash and trim all the day before. But they have to be used to all the handeling well before hand. Trim beaks and toenails and such along with any feathers that are small and around the comb. I also use the neosporn or such for the combs. Also prep into the feathers long before the show is a must. Somone had a great link on here with pics on how to prepare for a show Ill try and find it.

 

[cochin123]

TRY THIS I LOVE HER WAY AND IT WORKS http://www.harvestbreezefarm.com/PreparingforShow.html

 

[Hoosiermomma]

Thanks for the information.

 

[Pathfinders]

Here are some articles I wrote about getting birds ready for shows, hope they help:

How to Wash a Chicken

http://www.ehow.com/how_4512807_wash-a-chicken.html

Conditioning & Prepping for Shows

http://www.pathfindersfarm.com/Prepping.html

What To Expect at Your First Poultry Show

http://www.pathfindersfarm.com/Showing.html

Good luck at your show!

 

[Hoosiermomma]

Quote:
Thanks. We did okay for the first show. We found out our birds had a few dq's.

Oh well there's always next year. What part of Ky are you from?

 

[TK Poultry]

try all of that and i would even wash them 2 days before we just got done with our fair and i had to do some emergency blow drying then a day before you can do some spot treatments

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

Yeah, I wash my birds 3 days before. And I use baby shampoo. I also put mild hair conditioner, so long as it's animal safe, in the last tub which really made a difference. I just washed my first birds a few weeks ago, for the first time, and the judges really liked them at our show (my first show, I might add) Saturday.

Remember, it's best to wash them a few days before because once you wash a bird, it removes the special oils fom the feathers. A few days of drying will also allow the feathers to be re-oiled again.

 

[Pathfinders]

Quote:
We're in northern KY, outside of Williamstown.