Showing chickens at the fair, help needed so they stand on a table.

[15shenyl]

This is my first time showing at the fair. One of the requirements is that the chicken needs to stand on a table without me holding them, they can't sit or flap away. I really don't know where to start. I just found this out today and I am showing in 2 weeks! Any tips or advice for anything to help me with would be great. I really don't know how they expect a chicken to stand still, but it must be done... I don't care what tips or advice is given, anything will do that can help.

 

[Darklingstorm]

I've never shown but this worked for me when I was documenting the weekly changes in one batch of my chickens and had to get them to stand still for pictures and weighing.

First make a chicken friendly place to practice. If there are a lot of distraction and stuff it may get nervous.

Second place chicken on stand and give a treat. Wait and then give it again. Start raising your hands towards her/him. If it jumps off, put it back and comfort it with a treat. Keep practicing different stuff (like walking away then back again).

Third add the distractions

Fourth, get someone to help you and put on a "practice" show. Set your chicken up, treat, walk back, let the other person come up, if need be let them give a treat so the chicken will think everyone will give it a treat.

Hope it helps

 

[Marty1876]

I'd definatately use food or a recognizable treat in a pile to get them to be happy to be there on the table. I'd do this 2 times a day for a day or two, until the chicken is comfy with the table. Then I'd work on getting the chicken to take it from your hand on the table. Get a chair, sit close, and just be patient. In no time, that bird will be happy to see the table, now start using differnt tables, and slowly increase distractions (people, other birds, etc) until wherever you put your bird, its happy to stand. Then, just the few days before judings, start putting the chicken up without treats. Just offer then now and then, but by now your bird will be good to go!

Good luck at this fair!

 

[15shenyl]

Thank you so much. I know these ideas will work. I put the table out by the coop so they won't be scaird of the table when I put them on it. They seam to like the table, they are always trying to jump on it, so I guss that's a good sign. I am going out to work with them today. I also have to make a poster with information about cickens on it, and the cages need to be decorated in a theme too. If anyone has ideas for the cages and poster, that would be awesome.

 

[Marty1876]

If I were you, I'd PM JerseyGiantfolk, shes a 4H kid, and a very good one at that. I'm sure she'd set you to the right path.

 

[15shenyl]

Thank you so much for telling me that! I am in FFA, but that shouldn't be much different. If anyone, she would be the person to tell me somthing about showing at the fair and all about the posters and theme for the cages.

 

[OR4-hmom]

At our county fair the tables have carpet remnants for the birds to stand on but when we go to state fair the tables are covered with shavings. It would not hurt to practice with wood shavings on the table or you may have the fun of watching your show bird scratching in the wood shavings looking for goodies.

 

[15shenyl]

The wood shavings is a good idea. My birds love food, I think it would keep them from stressing out so much if they have something to do and eat but still stand on the table. I so far got to the point that every time I put the rug on the table, all the chickens jump up wanting food, even when I'm not there. Now I just need them to stand there and not move...

 

[OR4-hmom]

You really don't want them to scratch in the shavings, they are supposed to just remain in their station, (correct posture for the breed), but the little OEG doesn't go in for that. While everyone else's birds are still, she is clearing the table. Fun to watch but not what she is supposed to be doing.

 

[Narragansett]

Whoever is determining the rules for this fair does not understand poultry behavior. This is a good example of what happens when we as a society have become so far detached from the agricultural and natural worlds. While it may get all kinds of giggles, ooohhs and ahhhs from the crowd, and it may be Ok for some exhibitors to do with some breeds, like Silkies or Cochins, it is not realistic to expect every exhibitor to be able to do this with every breed. The Mediterranean breeds may be very difficult to calm down to that level, as well as some others. What about ducks, turkeys and geese? Guineas??!! It is also not a natural behavior for a chicken, and serves no practical purpose in raising them to have them stand still on a table. People need to learn to treat animals according to their nature, not make teddy bears out of every species which we keep. Some animals are good for for training, some for riding, working, eating, or just plain admiring. They've already made some which are good for cuddling; puppies, kitties and bunny rabbits.