I would love experienced breeders to share on how to condition a bird for show. I’ve not had the opportunity to show yet, but I have high hopes that I will be able to this year. Conditioning for shows is imperative to being successful. If you put them in smaller pens alone, how do you keep them cool? I’m in Florida 100 degrees. Do you have them in a air controlled environment? I handle all of mine and they are gentle and easy to handle. Just don’t know how to get them in show condition. I know how to bathe them, but I know about housing, feed, supplements.....thank you for any information you are filling to share
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I have found that using Poultry Condition Mix for a few weeks before showing increases the quality of the bird very much. This feed is used for fighting game birds, so you have to handle them regularly or they will get aggressive to you or anyone handling them. I think this feed is made by Lone Star Feed. It makes their comb bright red, feathers very shiny, eyes bright and they stand proud. It seems to be like giving them speed or something like that. Also, for the egg shows, I found giving them wild bird seed or even a little butter a couple times a week gives them the oils from the whole grain seeds they need to produce the dark egg color. The processed feeds have had all the oils removed to increase storage time. I hope this helps someone.
This is Rusty at the MN. State Fair 2019
I put a storage tub that's about 4 " deep. In, then use shavings. Also U can make a 4x4 fit so they have a perch. I like to keep their feet clean and yes I trim toe nails. Make sure it's large for the cockerels. Tail feathers must not be damaged by the cage.
I have large dog cages at table height. Each bird I plan on taking to a show is given a bath . Then talked too and handled several times a day. Which means I take them Out of the cage and look at um just as a judge would do. I start this as young chicks . Then before a show for a week at a time each. I feel it gives the bird a heads up on Show behavior..😊
I am not sure where my original comment went!
Perfect timing on the question! I just separated all my flocks out for show preparation. I have over a dozen birds cooped up for show right now in a building that tends to get warm without some airflow. I have house fans on every one and they stay comfortable