Showing Geese at Fair Questions

[Haunted55]

Wow! Where to start here? How about with a picture of my flat footed buddies?


Then follow that with a big thank-you, to both of you, for showing me the pros and cons, of the methods of animal care, while displaying your livestock.

Bad idea. They will make a mess of their pen if allowed bathing water, especially if you put sod in the pen, which is also not required. It's only a few days. They will be fine with an appropriate sized coop cup. No exhibitor in his right mind gives his geese bathing water while on dispaly at a show.Try going to an APA sanctioned show and see how the exhibitors there do it. These are the people who know what they are doing, who stand little to gain by not giving their birds proper care. Geese are exhibited at APA shows almost every weekend, and they get by perfectly well without the bother of treats or other unnecessary extras.

These birds will be at this fair for a week. They are going to need some kind of water to clean themselves before the end of that time. As for an APA show, this is a 4-H fair to the best of my knowledge, I don't believe they are even close. Treats are given to them every evening anyways. I will keep their routine as close to normal as possible and hopefully keep them calm and assured that they are not being abandoned.

These birds are for display not showing Narragansett, but thanks for being quick to try and make me feel like an idiot and all.

Yup, pretty much for John Q to walk by and say that's a goose. Celtic Oaks, I never saw you as an idiot and still do not. I think the info you gave me was great! It got me thinking about how I could make the geese happy and calm while away from home. I always figured I'd go before opening and see about letting them have the water then, as they normaly bathe at first light anyways and then clean up their pen myself. Since I had already mentioned that sod was unavailable here, unless I dig it up myself, they are going to be given fresh cut grass everyday.

Yes, I get it. Except for in the big ag states in the midwest, few fairs are worthy of true exhibition quality birds. Still, being "only" on display to the public, I would imagine that most owners would want to have some pride in showing off their animals so that they look clean and attractive, not wet and dirty as they will be if your advice is followed. Plus, the public does not understand the difference between quality exhibition type poultry and backyard birds that are simply on display at a fair. Presenting them in less than favorable condition affects the public's perception of the fancy in general.

Narragansett, this seems to me to be a very negative outlook. I don't know your reasoning behind these feelings, but it strikes me as quite sad to think that one's birds shouldn't be shown to just anyone. As you can see in the picture, my geese make no pretention to be show quality or fancy. [I have peafowl for that.] They're probably mutts. But they are my mutts and beautiful to my eyes. They will be clean and they will 'show' in a very favorable condition, as I will have it no other way.

Simply go to a show and see how the goose exhibitors there present their birds, so that they stay attractive looking and clean. You won't find sod in any cage. You won't find bathing water except occasionally by an inexperienced novice. None of the long term breeders have it, and their birds are usally very attractive. It's just the way it is. Don't take my word for it, go see for yourself.

The APA shows sound to me to be for a select few who are really into the unusual. Not for me. But thank-you for the thoughts. Really. I don't believe I will ever be showing my animals again. This is one of those 'out of the blue' situations that come along sometimes. If later on I do find that I want to show any of my birds I will definately keep your advice in mind.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Haunted they look wonderfully happy in that green space. Glad to been able to offer ideas to help you think about keeping them on display.

 

[Haunted55]

Haunted they look wonderfully happy in that green space. Glad to been able to offer ideas to help you think about keeping them on display.

I'm glad too! Novices, like me, need ideas from all sides, so that we can make educated decisions on how to proceed with whatever it is we are trying to do. You have always taken the time to respond in the past and help get myself and others through a situation that was new. Thanks again for all you do.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Welcome, I try to pop off ideas as they flow even if they are off or not usable in that situation. I like tossing lots of ideas out to come up with a solution.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Your geese are beautiful, all the best at the show!!

 

[Oregon Blues]

At the shows here, geese are on concrete covered with wood shavings for bedding. I give a fresh tub of water first thing in the morning and let the goose bathe. Then I remove the tub and scoop up any wet shavings and put clean fresh shavings down.

I normally stay all day and periodically check on the goose and pick up any soiled shavings to keep the pen looking nice. Then in the evening, the goose gets another tub of water at closing and I leave it in overnight.

Most exhibitors of poultry, except for the 4-H kids, are not there all day. Most come twice a day and some of them only come once a day and hire a 4-H kid to check their birds and make sure they have fresh water.

The water at my house is not chlorinated, so I take drinking water from home. The water at the fair is chlorinated and my birds are not accustomed to it. I don't want to risk tummy upset.

My geese adore dry cat kibble, so I top dress their feed with the cat kibble to make sure they will eat. Some shows provide feed, but I don't want my birds eating food they are not accustomed to, so I bring all my feed. I suggest that you change their food as little as possible. They will be stressed and that is not the best time to change what they are eating.

I hope you enjoy this experience. Maybe we can get you more involved.

 

[Haunted55]

Thank-you Miss Lydia! I think they are too. I'm kinda looking forward to it and then again....maybe not, lol. It's new and I'm just unsure is all. Thanks so much for the well wishes.

 

[Haunted55]

At the shows here, geese are on concrete covered with wood shavings for bedding. I give a fresh tub of water first thing in the morning and let the goose bathe. Then I remove the tub and scoop up any wet shavings and put clean fresh shavings down.

I normally stay all day and periodically check on the goose and pick up any soiled shavings to keep the pen looking nice. Then in the evening, the goose gets another tub of water at closing and I leave it in overnight.

Most exhibitors of poultry, except for the 4-H kids, are not there all day. Most come twice a day and some of them only come once a day and hire a 4-H kid to check their birds and make sure they have fresh water.

The water at my house is not chlorinated, so I take drinking water from home. The water at the fair is chlorinated and my birds are not accustomed to it. I don't want to risk tummy upset.

My geese adore dry cat kibble, so I top dress their feed with the cat kibble to make sure they will eat. Some shows provide feed, but I don't want my birds eating food they are not accustomed to, so I bring all my feed. I suggest that you change their food as little as possible. They will be stressed and that is not the best time to change what they are eating.

I hope you enjoy this experience. Maybe we can get you more involved.

This is kinds how my head is thinking as well. I'm not sure if I will be able to stay all day myself but I'm gonna be there as much as I can. I think most of the 4-H kids here are already in school so I'm not sure if it'll be anything but adults there. My water is from a well too and I'll be bringing that for them as well as their food. Now I have never tried the cat crunchies......hmmmm that makes sense though. The fish kind? Now as for the stress, should I be giving them vitamins before hand and while there? Just a poultry vitamin and electrolytes?

I hope I do as well and I hope that the geese and ducks get through this without too much trauma. I have spoiled my little heathens and I'm afraid for them. Plus the geese are now coming into their own. I'm hoping that a new enviroment will slow that down just a bit and that they don't try and challenge someone. I have been working with them since day one to teach them I am the big goose and that they are not allowed to go after other people or other animals. It's like dealing with a child with the terrible two's.

Ummmm....involved? Ummm.....Oregon, what does involved mean?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I hope all goes well for you and the geese. I'd probably want to camp right next to them. lol if you can get some Poutlry Nutri Drench from TSC before and during the show I would add it to their water just to keep their immune systems at peak, since they are going to be some stressed by all of this. Hopefully the ones putting this on won't allow sick looking birds in. You just add the Nurti drench to their water. If you have Oxine ah you can also spray that on and in and around your birds for more protection. If you don't have the Oxine ah you may want to get some if you do this again, alot of folks who show their birds use it . you will also want to change your clothes and shoes before going around the rest of your flock after being at the fair. I don't want to scare the daylights out of you but it's called Bio Security and it's to protect your flock from something you may bring home on clothing and shoes. Now that I've said all of this I hope you don't change your mind, lots of people that show do this all the time and never get a sick bird or bring anything home to their flock. Just precautions that should be taken.

 

[Haunted55]

I hope all goes well for you and the geese. I'd probably want to camp right next to them. lol if you can get some Poutlry Nutri Drench from TSC before and during the show I would add it to their water just to keep their immune systems at peak, since they are going to be some stressed by all of this. Hopefully the ones putting this on won't allow sick looking birds in. You just add the Nurti drench to their water. If you have Oxine ah you can also spray that on and in and around your birds for more protection. If you don't have the Oxine ah you may want to get some if you do this again, alot of folks who show their birds use it . you will also want to change your clothes and shoes before going around the rest of your flock after being at the fair. I don't want to scare the daylights out of you but it's called Bio Security and it's to protect your flock from something you may bring home on clothing and shoes. Now that I've said all of this I hope you don't change your mind, lots of people that show do this all the time and never get a sick bird or bring anything home to their flock. Just precautions that should be taken.

The questions about what they were going to be exposed to were the first out of my mouth, believe me. I don't have the Oxine yet but I'm thinking that tomorrow I will order it and get it here as fast as I can. The fair is the week of the 20th, I have some time left. I'll find the Nutri drench as well. I so totally agree with you about the Bio security Miss Lydia. After everything we've gone through here with Marek's and Cocci with the chickens, I am not going to take any chances. At All!!

I think the only thing that would change my mind now is if the geese and ducks totally freak. Or if someone tries to hurt my animals. Then I would freak. I used to do craft and trade shows and I know how John Q can be at times. Most people are nice and good and are truely interested is seeing the animals. Then there are those...

Thanks so much for the help and good words Miss Lydia. I really can't tell you all how much the help and calming words have helped.