Show Bird Prep. Help

[Squeak_Crumble 0]

Hello!

 

My first show is fast approaching, being on Monday. I am showing a grey-green cinnamon cock.

Two problems.

 

1. My birds cheeks are revoltingly muddled and cluttered with spots, I don't know which to pull??!

2. I pulled a feather on the birds head that was a little bloody, he is coming out of moult just now and has a ocuple feather cases left, it looks like one burst earlier on. So, I pulled the feather. But more blood came from where I pulled it?! Is this just going to be a cycle?

 

Help, Apprecitated!!! Thankyou!!

 

[Dean_NZ 0]

Well you learned tip #1 - dont pull blood feathers! Unfortunate timing of moulting is a constant problem. It is helpful to time feed changes or other changes that can force a bird to moult about 8 weeks prior to a show. Often birds moult after breeding, feed changes, location changes etc so these are tricks that CAN be utilised if done properly.

 

As for the actual preparation I've never really done it so i'll leave it to the experts

[Squeak_Crumble 0]

Well you learned tip #1 - dont pull blood feathers! Unfortunate timing of moulting is a constant problem. It is helpful to time feed changes or other changes that can force a bird to moult about 8 weeks prior to a show. Often birds moult after breeding, feed changes, location changes etc so these are tricks that CAN be utilised if done properly.

 

As for the actual preparation I've never really done it so i'll leave it to the experts

 

boy have I learnt tip one. It wasn't the actual feathers that was a blood feather, it was dirty so I pulled it and blood came up. I probably should have just worked the blood off of it with water.

[**KAZ** 0]

You cant show that bird Squeak. Its missing flights. There are many things that can stop you taking a bird to show on the day. Often we want to take a bird but it has dropped it tail or something like that.

 

You cant show a bird that hasnt its full tail.........two tail feathers.

It needs all its wing flight feathers too.

Try not to show a bird with any pin feathers.

try to show a bird in condition not just having come out of a moult and with no natural sheen on its feathers etc.

 

If your bird hasnt its full wing feathers, leave it home and take it to the next show when it does have them.

Edited September 18, 2010 by KAZ

[RIPbudgies 0]

Don't pull feather just because there dirty. Wash it. I don't pull feather full stop. Too easy to damaged follicles and then have further problem down the track. For feathers that are still sheathed on the head but are almost ready you run a tooth brush in the direction of the feather growth or gently roll the feather sheath backwards and forwards between thumb and finger to break the sheath. As for mask spots I cut not pull. This allows the mask to stay plumb and full as I find with some birds the mask is so full of spots that when they are removed by pulling you end up with a bird that just does not look complete.

[**KAZ** 0]

Don't pull feather just because there dirty. Wash it. I don't pull feather full stop. Too easy to damaged follicles and then have further problem down the track. For feathers that are still sheathed on the head but are almost ready you run a tooth brush in the direction of the feather growth or gently roll the feather sheath backwards and forwards between thumb and finger to break the sheath. As for mask spots I cut not pull. This allows the mask to stay plumb and full as I find with some birds the mask is so full of spots that when they are removed by pulling you end up with a bird that just does not look complete.

 

 

I agree with RIP

[clearwing 0]

You can try removing blood with a little toothpaste and a tooth brush. A tip for removing spots , start at the cheek patches and work your way into the centre its easier to identify the main spots that way. To clarify the missing feathers birds missing flights are penalised, as are birds missing a tail feather. Birds missing both tail feathers are disqualified. Cheers clearwing

[Squeak_Crumble 0]

You can try removing blood with a little toothpaste and a tooth brush. A tip for removing spots , start at the cheek patches and work your way into the centre its easier to identify the main spots that way. To clarify the missing feathers birds missing flights are penalised, as are birds missing a tail feather. Birds missing both tail feathers are disqualified. Cheers clearwing

 

Also directed at Kaz:

 

That picture of the bird is quite old, I was just trying to show the spots and mask.

So You guys reccomend cutting?

 

Also, I removed most of the sheaths on the feather buy just rolling them off, like you said New feathers underneath are nice and clean, no blood feathers.

[**KAZ** 0]

Cutting for spotting out is good as it only takes the excess spots and not the whole feather. Takes practice but and a lot of care making sure the birds head is still while you have sharp scissors near its face.

[RIPbudgies 0]

Also when you cut rather than pull the effect is long lasting so the bird is in showable condition pretty much most of the time. If you pull chances are the bird will be moulting in new spots when you want to him/her again.

[Squeak_Crumble 0]

Hmm okay. I may practice with some stock birds in the aviary first.

 

Thanks for the great tips!!

[**KAZ** 0]

Squeak...........look up photos of birds for the nationals and you will see a HUGE difference between a bird whose spots have been pulled and one whose spots have been cut away. I like the look of a bird whose spots have been cut not pulled

Edited September 18, 2010 by KAZ

[Squeak_Crumble 0]

Squeak...........look up photos of birds for the nationals and you will see a HUGE difference between a bird whose spots have been pulled and one whose spots have been cut away. I like the look of a bird whose spots have been cut not pulled:D

 

Are there photo's on here, or do I need to use the almighty google? ;D

[clearwing 0]

A word of warning, it is actually illegal to cut feathers on a show bird, so if your going to do it you'd better be very good at it, I must admit I pull some of the larger spots and trim off the smaller ones.

[Squeak_Crumble 0]

A word of warning, it is actually illegal to cut feathers on a show bird, so if your going to do it you'd better be very good at it, I must admit I pull some of the larger spots and trim off the smaller ones.

 

Illegal!?! As is disqualification/penalising or as in against the law ( ) Just sounded funny.

 

Trsut me, I won't be fiddling to much.

[**KAZ** 0]

A word of warning, it is actually illegal to cut feathers on a show bird, so if your going to do it you'd better be very good at it, I must admit I pull some of the larger spots and trim off the smaller ones.

 

 

I think you will find that this rules has changed Clearwing.

 

http://www.anbc.iinet.net.au/StandardAmendment1ANBC08.doc

Disqualification

Any evidence of trimming (other than spots)

 

Trimming anywhere else and spots is allowed as far as most of us are aware.

Edited September 18, 2010 by KAZ

[RIPbudgies 0]

I don't like the word 'illegal' used in the sense that clearwing has used it. I feel this is a term best used in the real world, not the budgie world. In budgiedom maybe as mentioned already 'disqualification' etc.

 

Although cutting is not allowed and never has been this is to mean any part of the bird i.e flight feather thrimming maybe. The spot area of the bird to my knowledge has never been included in the regulation.

[shannon bird breeder 0]

this is the most help so far have a look at this http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index....c=28699&hl=

[clearwing 0]

A word of warning, it is actually illegal to cut feathers on a show bird, so if your going to do it you'd better be very good at it, I must admit I pull some of the larger spots and trim off the smaller ones.

 

Illegal!?! As is disqualification/penalising or as in against the law ( ) Just sounded funny.

 

Trsut me, I won't be fiddling to much.

 

 

I use the word illegal as disqualification refers to the bird being disqualified, however if the breeder/exhibitor breaks the rules [ illegal] the exhibitor can be banned from exhibiting, I've seen people banned for up to 5 years.

[splat 0]

Some have been banned longer haven't they clearwing, for painting spots on and and glueing tails in.

[Squeak_Crumble 0]

Some have been banned longer haven't they clearwing, for painting spots on and and glueing tails in.

 

[shannon bird breeder 0]

haha that funny it just show how much thay wont to win dont it i will not i will go home and breed the best i can for next year

[rachelm 0]

How did you go at the show Squeak?

[Squeak_Crumble 0]

Because I am the only junior, I was put in the novice class.

There were only two cinnamons (it was a mini show), the other bird being a blue cinnamon hen by forum member Sunnie.

I got first place, which I am thrilled about :rip:

[**KAZ** 0]

Because I am the only junior, I was put in the novice class.

There were only two cinnamons (it was a mini show), the other bird being a blue cinnamon hen by forum member Sunnie.

I got first place, which I am thrilled about :rip:

Great job !!