What is involved in showing ducks?

[CityChicker]

I don't show birds anymore and haven't for about 20 years. When I did show, the cages and feed and water cups were always provided (although we always took our own as well). I have never been to a show where they weren't provided. Generally, bedding is provided as well. All you do is show up with your birds and whatever additional promotional materials you want (business cards, sign, etc...) if they are allowed at the given show. Everything else is usually provided.

All of these things are questions for the show superintendent/secretary for the individual show. Generally the process once you find out about the show and decide to do it is to first enter your birds. Usually, that is a fairly simple one page piece of paper. Mail that in and pay your fees. Find out anything you need to know about that particular show's rules (perhaps before you enter would be good really). Show up the day of the show (or whenever they designate check-in). They will check your birds in, give you cage tags, assign your cages, etc.... You are almost always required to keep your birds on site a certain period of time, generally until the last day of wherever you are showing (not always though, some places are one-day shows). Usually, the show will have volunteers from the sponsoring club or other groups that take care of the birds during the show. Most are more than willing to have additional volunteers. Some don't provide volunteers. All of these things vary by the show. If you get confused about what to do, there are usually plenty of people to guide you in the right direction.

The judge shows up and judges the birds one by one. Sometimes they take them out of the cages, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they know a lot about waterfowl, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they welcome interaction with the exhibitors, sometimes they don't. Sometimes you win, sometimes you don't. LOL, get the picture? All these things vary by the show and really it is a pretty laid back, fun process most often. I loved showing when I did it. Now, I am getting too old and cranky. LOL

As far as finding out about shows, there are multiple places to do this. If you are showing just locally, you can find out about shows sometimes through the county extension offices (for county fairs, etc..), 4-H clubs (because a lot of local/state shows have a 4-H and an open division), online, through breed clubs, through national clubs, etc... HTH.

 

[greathorse]

NYREDS is very helpful with simple straight forward questions. I think he was just saying that ducks are pretty darn easy, since no washing as in chickens and other animals.

Now I will speak for myself. If I were you the first thing I would do is subscribe to a periodical called the Poultry Press, most shows in most regions of the country are advertised in there. It is a very useful tool for show "stuff".

Good Luck

 

[tplummer]

I am not an expert, but we have shown our Call Ducks a few times. Right before the show, we let them swim in the bathtub to get their feathers clean and clean out their nostrils. Other than trying to meet the standards of Calls, there does not seem to be much to it. We registered them with the show and placed them in the cages and waited. You need to learn the standards to meet for your type of bird. Those can be found on the internet or an association for your type of bird.

Hope that helps a little.

 

[Quail27]

Sorry for over-reacting then.
In my scene, if someone says something like "it's not rocket science" or "it's not brain surgery", it's meant as "it doesn't take a genius to figure this out, get with the picture". I see now that different areas have different meanings for this phrase.

Anyway, thanks for the answers everyone. Didn't mean to set a negative tone for the thread.

 

[greathorse]

Poultry show seem different to me than a lot of livestock. With horses we ask them to perform and perhaps accomplish certain tasks, and even in halter class the way the horse is led etc can have a big effect on the outcome. At a poultry show once the judging begins the only thing to do is to stay out of the way.

Rest assured that there is tons to learn about getting birds conditioned and ready to show. That information often comes after experience and watching what others do to give their birds the very best chance.

I hope you show your ducks.

 

[duckluck]

Quote:
When I say it, I mean it more in the sense of "oh yeah you can for sure do this, don't worry, it's not very complicated and there's no reason to get stressed and intimidated about it" - smiley implied

Thanks for starting the topic.

So, the cages - they're at the venue already? you don't bring your own? What do folks use to transport birds, dog crates or something? What kind of oil to spiff up the beaks and feet, would that be olive or canola or...?

Cages are almost always at the venue already, but you will want to bring your own food, water and extra shavings. I don't leave anything to chance. You should also have your own coop cups, because a lot of times the cardboard dixie cups provided are crummy and easily dumped.

Depending on your breed, you can use most anything. Show carriers built for your particular type of bird are best, but I have also used dog crates of the airline type. Use tarps under these, or mess will ensue!

At a show, if you "coop in" the night before, you will absolutely want to water your birds but want to remove the cups and spiff up your shavings before the deadline in the morning, which is usually just a bit before judging starts. If you have ducks, not having the water for long periods can make them hyper and not show well.

 

[roanhorse]

I know this is an old thread but it was very interesting. I understand that runners are often shown loose in a pen, any other information about that? Thanks

 

[DuckLover3]

This is something that I'm interested in too.....Do you have to be in a group to show? Like 4-H or something? Or can you do it as an individual?

 

[Wynette]

You don't need to be in a group to show.

I've seen Runners shown both in a large, open cage and also in a regular cage, but I THINK (correct me if I'm wrong) before they are judged they are put into the large, open pen so the judge can see their movement - something they are judged on that other breeds are not.

IMHO, I would go to a couple shows before attempting to show something. Hang out in the section where your breed is, be a sponge. Learn from what you hear, take notes, meet folks who seem to be like-minded to you, ask where they'll be showing next, etc. You'll quickly learn what to expect this way.

I've never shown ducks, but I have shown chickens, and (also IMHO) it's important to respect the judges by making sure that your bird is conditioned and cleaned up (no mites, no dirty feet, vents, or beaks, etc.). Also, GET AN SOP. Study it, keep it on hand and compare your birds to the SOP - take the very best of what you have. And - have fun!

 

[MallardDuckling]

When showing, does your bird have to be use to being picked up?

Do some judges like to handle the birds?