Here's what to do to prepare for the fair:
Wash your birds at least 3 days before the show!
- Use 3 tubs of warm water: soapy, clean, and rinse
- I use pure Ivory body wash, baby shampoo works as well, just don't use detergent!! (it makes feathers brittle)
- Blow dry them with a hair dryer and towels. Then let them air dry in a place with minimum dirt-to-chicken contact
- Wipe them with baby wipes every day until the show so that they stay clean
Groom (day of the show)
- Clip their toenails and file them down (or just let them run around a lot on concrete)
- Clean out dirt from their nails with a toothpick
- Rub baby oil on their comb, waddles, and legs
What to bring in your tack box:
- Baby Wipes
- Baby Oil
- Pooper Scooper
- Toothbrush (good for feather-legs)
- Toothpicks
- Nail Clippers
- Nail File
- Quik Stop
- Adam's Flea and Tick Mist (incase there are mites at the show!)
- Sponges (for emergency cleaning)
Now you are ready for showbird judging! Are you doing Showmanship? Here's what to do:
- Gain your chicken's trust: walk around holding it "showmanship style" and teach it that you will keep it safe
- Show 'Em Who's Boss! Hold your bird "showmanship style" by placing your right hand under the belly with your pinky and index finger outside the legs and two middle fingers in between the legs, giving you the ability to grip the legs. If your bird starts to flap and wiggle, don't let them get away! Hold tight and bring them close to your body to minimize flapping. They will eventually calm down and learn not to wiggle.
- Practice the showmanship routine: Examine the...
- Head
- Back
- Wings
- Undercolor
- Breast
- Vent
- Depth of Abdomen
- Distance between Pubic Bones
- Feet and Legs
Here are my results for this year:
Fair 2009:
2nd Place Junior Showmanship
1st Place Senior Showmanship
3rd Place Small Animal Master Showmanship
Best Female in Division- Continental
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