What to Bring to a Chicken Show?

[ilovemypeeps]

I'm going to my first chicken show this weekend and I'm wondering what grooming tools I need to bring for last minute touch-ups. There was something you could put on their combs/wattles to make them look redder but I can't remember what. So what do I need to bring to the show? Thanks!

 

[chickens? not yet]

I'm wondering do you have to have a band on a chicken to show them?

 

[GotGame]

Red combs are an indication of good health in a bird, I am not aware of anything you can do to redden a birds combs except just having good healthy birds. I know some people will LIGHTLY rub vaseline or other oils into a birds comb to make it shiny.

 

[calicokat]

We take a little bucket with baby wipes , vaseline, a toothbrush (for brushing feet/toe nails if a touch up is needed), nail trimmers & cornstarch (to stop bleeding if you trim into the quick), a box of Shout wipes (for touch ups like the baby wipes, but these are good for our white birds too), a spray on conditioner, and our Standard of Perfection book.

And you can always look in other people's buckets to see what they brought - that's where we got the Shout wipes idea

We do rub just a bit of vaseline on their wattles at the show to make them a little shinier.

 

[saladin]

Vetrx on the comb; or olive oil: I prefer the Vetrx.


Witch Hazel in a spray/mist bottle with a micro cloth or nylon hose. Lightly spray the bird before cooping and then wipe. This will give the feathers a nice shine.

Have something to clean feet with you in case they have messed them up on the way there.


Main thing to bring to a show is MONEY! Never know what you might need to buy.

 

[NYREDS]

Main thing to bring to a show is MONEY! Never no what you might need to buy

This is especially true if it's a show I'm at & I have birds for sale!!!​

 

[ilovemypeeps]

OK thanks for the ideas..... anything else I need to know?

 

[calicokat]

Our first time, we didn't know that a chicken show is a LONG day. Bring some snacks, a book or magazine, camera for taking pix of the cool birds you see, and maybe throw a lawn chair in the vehicle in case there aren't a lot of places for seating.

You'll learn a lot, see a lot and your mind will already be full of great ideas for next year when you leave.

 

[ilovemypeeps]

calicokat- I am doing barrel racing after the chicken show so yeah..... it'll be a looong day

 

[Sumatra503]

I have a show kit that I take with me to the show.

Baby wipes, preferable detergent and scent free since the detergent can leave a slight crust, for unexpected feather messes

A spray bottle with just plain water for tougher messes and also in case it is very hot. A nice mist does a hot bird a bit of good

Old rags for tough messes that involve the spray bottle and also for cleaning really dirty feet. Stressed out birds can get diarrhea which sticks like glue to feet when it dries.

A small bucket in case I need to clean some really dirty feet. Just fill the bucket with warm water and dip the rag in it.

A set of nail trimmers, though you should trim toenails and spurs about 3 days before the show. I bring the trimmers in case of snagged toe nails and spurs that can bleed.

Stiptic powder just in case, or corn starch if I am out of stiptic powder. I have had a cock break a spur in the show coups before and it wasn't pretty.

A first aid kit for both me and the birds that has bandaids, neosporin, gauze, etc. Just in case, sometimes stuff just happens.

Baby oil for the combs and feet though it does leave an oily residue it leaves a nice shine, I don't prefer Vaseline since it can gunk up the head feathers a bit when it dries.

I also bring a product called ProGroom which I spray on the feathers of the birds about an hour before showing. It smells horrible, but it leaves the feathers so soft and shiny it is surprising. It is a favorite of dog shows and does not remove any of the essential oils from the feathers.

Don't forget to bring food and water for your birds. Some shows don't provide food, so it is always good to bring your own.


Be sure you transport your birds in nice clean carriers with deep fluffy bedding to help keep them clean. Keep your show coups clean as well. It helps to go through every hour or so and scoop the piles of poop out. It will make a big difference in the end.