Where to Start?
No doubt there will be quite a few people reading this who are very proud of the birds that they have bred themselves, who would love to pop them in a show or two for a bit of fun. Hopefully this page will give a bit of advice and guidance. This page will evolve over time.
I thought we should start with the headings.
OBJECTIVE
GENETICS
EDUCATION
HUSBANDRY
SHOW PREPARATION
SHOW ETIQUETTE
OBJECTIVE
"To have the best example of the breed on the day according to the breed standard. The bird should be a picture of good health, and presented to the judge at its best i.e. unblemished and clean".
GENETICS
1. Try to buy birds from a top breeder. This will probably save you years of breeding.
2. Good birds are expensive, but one hen will lay a fertile egg each day to pop into the incubator. One expensive hen is cheaper to keep than
many average quality birds, and the progeny will be worth more.
3. Breed lots of birds and grow them out until their strengths and weaknesses become clear.
4. Sell off birds as soon as you are aware of any non standard trait eg. too small, too large (bantams), bad colour.
EDUCATION
1. Choose one breed and learn all about it.
2. Know the standard for that breed.
3. Go to as many specialty shows as you can and view heaps of birds of that breed. Understand why the winning bird won.
4. Find the results of the specialty shows and figure out who consistently does well, and why.
5. Join a poultry club.
6. Find a mentor.
7. Chat to the experienced club members. You will be surprised how happy they are to give advice and handy hints.
8. Buy a set of scales and check whether your birds fall within the weight range for the breed.
HUSBANDRY
1. Housing has to be safe from predators, clean, and provide good protection from the weather.
2. Water - clean.
3. Food - top quality.
4. Protect from external parasites (lice, mites etc)
5. Protect from internal parasites.
6. Protect feather quality (harsh sunlight, bullying birds, feather pecking).
7. Trim toenails.
8. Protect birds from bullying. Dominant birds will damage feathers, and injure the less dominant birds. The less dominant birds
will also have less access to the food and water.
9. Trim beaks if necessary.
10. Trim spurs on males.
SHOW PREPARATION
Everyone will have very different ideas for this one, but here are a few starters.
1. Make sure you get your entry form and fee in on time.
2. Don't try to prepare and show too many birds. If you are starting out, two or three is plenty. Better to have two very clean, well prepared birds, than twenty shabby birds. Also, if you try to prepare too many birds for a show you will take all the fun out of the day. It will be very hard work.
3. Bath and dry bird 3 or more days prior to the show. This is so the bird has a chance to groom itself and put oils back into its feathers before the show (for gloss).
4. On day of show CAREFULLY catch the bird and begin preparation. If you are rushing on the morning of the show and the bird knocks its head on the fence/wire, their comb will be VERY easily bruised and likely to bleed. If that does happen, you may as well leave them at home. Some people catch the bird while they sleep and box them overnight to avoid this.
5. Wash feet and toenails on the morning of the show. Use warm soapy water and a soft brush (toothbrush).
6. What to pack for the show?
- bucket
- detergent
- towel
- cloth
- soft brush (for feet)
- sponge
- favourite oils for comb, wattle, beak, legs and feet.
- cotton buds
- small plastic containers (food/water)
- travel boxes
7. Put birds in transport boxes (with pea straw or sugar cane mulch).
8. Drive to show
9. Put oil on comb, wattle, beak, legs and feet.
10. Coat gloss. Spray horse coat gloss onto a soft piece of cloth and wipe gently over the birds feathers to give a shine.
11. Find steward and pick up your paperwork which will have your pen numbers listed.
12. Find your birds pens.
13. Put birds very carefully into pens so they don't hurt themselves, or get a fright.
14. Brush any wood shavings off your bird and neaten up its feathers.
15. Shut the pen door and get some breakfast (for yourself !).
16. As soon as all judging is finished give your birds food and clean water.
SHOW ETIQUETTE
1. Stay for presentations (good manners).
2. Make new friends.
3. Enjoy yourself.
4. Be a good sport, and don't take showing too seriously. Do it because you enjoy it, not because you want to win. If you do win it's a huge bonus.
Carefully box your birds and head home (perhaps with a ribbon or two).
I thought we should start with the headings.
OBJECTIVE
GENETICS
EDUCATION
HUSBANDRY
SHOW PREPARATION
SHOW ETIQUETTE
OBJECTIVE
"To have the best example of the breed on the day according to the breed standard. The bird should be a picture of good health, and presented to the judge at its best i.e. unblemished and clean".
GENETICS
1. Try to buy birds from a top breeder. This will probably save you years of breeding.
2. Good birds are expensive, but one hen will lay a fertile egg each day to pop into the incubator. One expensive hen is cheaper to keep than
many average quality birds, and the progeny will be worth more.
3. Breed lots of birds and grow them out until their strengths and weaknesses become clear.
4. Sell off birds as soon as you are aware of any non standard trait eg. too small, too large (bantams), bad colour.
EDUCATION
1. Choose one breed and learn all about it.
2. Know the standard for that breed.
3. Go to as many specialty shows as you can and view heaps of birds of that breed. Understand why the winning bird won.
4. Find the results of the specialty shows and figure out who consistently does well, and why.
5. Join a poultry club.
6. Find a mentor.
7. Chat to the experienced club members. You will be surprised how happy they are to give advice and handy hints.
8. Buy a set of scales and check whether your birds fall within the weight range for the breed.
HUSBANDRY
1. Housing has to be safe from predators, clean, and provide good protection from the weather.
2. Water - clean.
3. Food - top quality.
4. Protect from external parasites (lice, mites etc)
5. Protect from internal parasites.
6. Protect feather quality (harsh sunlight, bullying birds, feather pecking).
7. Trim toenails.
8. Protect birds from bullying. Dominant birds will damage feathers, and injure the less dominant birds. The less dominant birds
will also have less access to the food and water.
9. Trim beaks if necessary.
10. Trim spurs on males.
SHOW PREPARATION
Everyone will have very different ideas for this one, but here are a few starters.
1. Make sure you get your entry form and fee in on time.
2. Don't try to prepare and show too many birds. If you are starting out, two or three is plenty. Better to have two very clean, well prepared birds, than twenty shabby birds. Also, if you try to prepare too many birds for a show you will take all the fun out of the day. It will be very hard work.
3. Bath and dry bird 3 or more days prior to the show. This is so the bird has a chance to groom itself and put oils back into its feathers before the show (for gloss).
4. On day of show CAREFULLY catch the bird and begin preparation. If you are rushing on the morning of the show and the bird knocks its head on the fence/wire, their comb will be VERY easily bruised and likely to bleed. If that does happen, you may as well leave them at home. Some people catch the bird while they sleep and box them overnight to avoid this.
5. Wash feet and toenails on the morning of the show. Use warm soapy water and a soft brush (toothbrush).
6. What to pack for the show?
- bucket
- detergent
- towel
- cloth
- soft brush (for feet)
- sponge
- favourite oils for comb, wattle, beak, legs and feet.
- cotton buds
- small plastic containers (food/water)
- travel boxes
7. Put birds in transport boxes (with pea straw or sugar cane mulch).
8. Drive to show
9. Put oil on comb, wattle, beak, legs and feet.
10. Coat gloss. Spray horse coat gloss onto a soft piece of cloth and wipe gently over the birds feathers to give a shine.
11. Find steward and pick up your paperwork which will have your pen numbers listed.
12. Find your birds pens.
13. Put birds very carefully into pens so they don't hurt themselves, or get a fright.
14. Brush any wood shavings off your bird and neaten up its feathers.
15. Shut the pen door and get some breakfast (for yourself !).
16. As soon as all judging is finished give your birds food and clean water.
SHOW ETIQUETTE
1. Stay for presentations (good manners).
2. Make new friends.
3. Enjoy yourself.
4. Be a good sport, and don't take showing too seriously. Do it because you enjoy it, not because you want to win. If you do win it's a huge bonus.
Carefully box your birds and head home (perhaps with a ribbon or two).