I have a question to the seasoned showers, as I admit I'm new to the showing portion of breeding.

 

I have seen many posts regarding show prep starting around 8 weeks prior to show start. However those only seem to apply to the adult birds going to show or ones already past the 4-6 month stage. What about those in the Young category that are between 2-4 months? Do you ever show them? If not why? and If so, what do you do in regards to feather preping and avoiding molting condition prior to the show? In other words, what things do you do differently for those who are pre- 1st molt or post- 1st molt.

 

I ask because I have 4 chicks that I'd like to show at the end of May in young category but they will be around 3-5 months old and would like to have them in condition for the show if possible.

This is a great question Ravengpsy , I look forward to reading the reply

Yes young birds as young as 7 or 8 weeks old are shown in a "Nest Feather" show. The training starts as soon as they go into the nursery. Some people attach a show cage at the end on the nursery and put food and water in it to encourage the nest feathers to get accustomed to the show cage.

As many judges will tell you its often hard to judge the babies ( called Unbroken caps here ) ....they must perch. Most of them can be seen huddling in the bottom of a show cage. Stress, anxiety maybe or just plain not trained to perch ina show cage. You are halfway there if you can show cage train these youngsters. Try putting them in show cages two birds at a time...two for company and two encourages each other to perch. I show cage train birds to sit on a perch and stay there by taking them for a drive in the show cage. They dont like sliding about on the floor of the showcage trying to keep stable as you drive about and take corners ande brake, so they get up on a perch.

That is a great way to teach kaz!!!!!!!

thanks, I have 3 of the 4 already show cage trained without much issue... the 4th one is being stubborn, I might try that car trick :wine

Good luck with it all Ravengypsy. Sorry I'm of no help.