"The FAIR" WHO HOO! We're done!

[DoctorGoose]

SO....I did it. I entered my wyandottes (and silkie pullet) in the Fair (Yes, that's the Puyallup)....(all y'all Washingtonians will get the joke: "My heart's palpitating!")

Goodness gracious! I know absolutely nothing about showing chickens, and they will JUST be the minimum age for showing--any body have any suggestions as far as grooming/ trimming/handling go?

My best friend, who was in 4-H chickens years and years ago, is forever picking them up up-side-down by their hind legs--does anyone know if that's standard for judges to do, and should I acclimate my chickens to such "undignified" treatment, or just cuddle them?

Here's another Q: y'know those still-growing in feathers that have that whitish quill stuff around them? It's really noticeable on my black pullet, should I become a "picker" like some of y'all and pull/pick it off? *sigh* Picking it off makes me a little queasy, I don't know why--I pick my horses' chestnuts off all the time and that's fun.

Anyhow, this will be a little blog into my foray of chicken showing. I think I entered the best birds that I have. I just really hope this isn't as stressful as showing horses.

Anyhow, the girls I entered are Pharaoh, Tiberius and Dolly. (Pictures to follow)

 

[silkiechicken]

I believe they just let the chicken stand and just touch them gently. I am assuming you are entering in open class so good luck! It's all on the bird in that one and competition is tough. 4H is the way to go if you can.. open class is brutal as far as I've heard.

If your birds free range I suggest maybe teaching them to stand in a small cage for a few days on end since that's what they will be doing. You can tell what birds were not raised in breeder pens since they spend the whole time pacing back and fourth in the tiny cages. Just remember to give them baths a few days before show day since you'll need to give them time to get their shine back.

 

[SpottedCrow]

I noticed that at our fair too...some birds were like caged tigers. Pace Pace Pace
Then there was a lovely laid back Brahma who was dust bathing in his shavings. LOL

I notice that there weren't half as many birds as last year or the year before.

When I've gone to NEBC shows, the judges take them out gently, not just grab and flip like you say...

 

[DoctorGoose]

Soo....I caught Pharaoh today (I really need to learn to spell that on the first try!) and now she's sitting in the cage she was raised in, very unhappy that she's not free-ranging.

Here are some pictures of her. The only thing I worry about is those crinkles at the end of her wattles--does any one know if that's normal? Also trying to be objective--do you think the lacing on her breast is enough?

She was pretty disgruntled in these pictures, lol.

Okay, here's my second entry, Tiberius. Black silkie pullet, 14 weeks old right now. I'm just concerned about her crest--I know the 4H chickens at the Evergreen didn't have really large crests, but.....

Our third contestant, Dolly (I didn't name her--when she was a baby, she was kinda chubby with...well...you get the idea) so my mother came over and named her....Dolly. Lol--anyhow, the thing I'm worried about now is that she isn't really deep in the breast, and kind of gangly. I love her tail and carriage, though.

So, that's all for now folks! Please let me know, in y'all's professional opinions, what these birds flaws are!

 

[DoctorGoose]

So, today chickies got their baths.

I read through pretty much ALL the posts having to do with getting your chicken ready for a show, and so I used some horse shampoo on them, topped 'em off with Showsheen, and put some baby oil gel on their combs, wattles, and legs, and dipped the SLW in bluing. I think once we get there I may spray them down with some more Showsheen and Finish (for all y'all not familiar, another shine-maker for our horses--but it may be too oily. I'll experiment with the other chickens to see how it does)

I have to take them down to the fair on Wednesday, so I thought I should give them a couple of days to dry out.

To anybody who has ever bathed their chicken: Do you know if their feet will always be a little dirty under the scales, or should I take a toothpick to it? I've already used a toothbrush on their feet.

Both of the Wyandottes seem in good condition--Pharaoh's keel seeming significantly fuller, so I honestly think she'll do better. If ANYBODY still thinks she's a roo, please let me know. She's 16 weeks and still hasn't crowed, although my silkie of the same age is It would be dreadful if she was DQed for being a roo....and embarassing!

So...PICS!

Two Very Wet Chickens:

Does anyone know IF/or how I should pluck out these funny feathers sticking out of Dolly's tail? I don't want to hurt her, but....these really do look strange.

Finally, our favorite Rullet? (PulletxRoo?)

So, tomorrow night, I'll bath and blow dry Tiberius the silkie, and Wednesday morning we're off to Puyallup!

Wish us luck!

 

[mtnchicks]

Don't know anything about showing chickens, but yours are beautiful. Good luck! Oops, that's bad luck : "Break an egg!"

 

[lurky]

 

[SpottedCrow]

I wouldn't yank any feathers...she might unravel. LOL
If you get good judges, they will tell you what you need to work on...
They look pretty good to type.
If the scales on their legs were really scuzzy looking, I might dig with a toothpick, but I wouldn't really worry about it.
Break an egg from me too!

 

[chickenlady]

They all look great. Sounds like youve done all you can do for now. Just have a great time!! I hate to throw my opinion in here but Pharaoh does kinda look like a little roo to me. Maybe it was just the pics you posted, do you have any others of 'her'?

 

[DoctorGoose]

Quote:
*ugh* Yes--what angle do you want of her? LOL. Does anyone know if I can vent sex him/her now? Maybe I'll grab my silkie roo and compare

*yuck*! The thing is, her waddles haven't grown at all since she was 6 weeks. So maybe she was just an early developer?