AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

I would like to ask when transporting your show fowl to a big event do you completely cover them for the trip so they are in darkness until they arrive? I have been told they show better if I do this as they refreshed when they go on show? true or false?

There is truth in the advice you have been given.
They are normally transported in a darkened box with good ventilation and limited space, this is for a couple of reasons.
The first is in the darkened box they remain calm and do not stress.
By restricting space and having the box darkened they do not move around damaging feathers, particularly tails if you have any breed with free flowing feather.
By remaining calm they would be more likely to arrive refreshed and ready to show and take an interest in things around them when placed in show pens and in the presence of other fowls.
The "carry boxes" can be of a couple of designs, they can be a box with a lid and devisions suited to the size and sex of the birds you wish to carry, the floor is covered with clean wood shavings or the like and sufficient ventilation holes along 2 sides of the box are required, the boxes are also placed at such spacings for transport as to not cover the ventilation holes.
You can carry them in a suitable cardboard box , again with soft floor material and ventilation holes cut.
An old favourite of many older breeders and game fowl breeders was/is the "tent box".This is a wooden tray with sides 50cm or a little more and a frame centred to form a tent, this is covered with hession , secured to the tray with stapples or nails/tacks and also one end is secured in the same manner, the other end has one half secured and the other half is a flap that is used as a door which has a couple of string ties to close the opening when the bird is inside.The tent is carried by the top of the tent frame.The disadvantage of these is that they do not pack well in a space for transport. The advantages are they are cheap and quick to make and provide a soft inner surface to not damage feathers and also are well ventilated.They are best suited to large fowls.
The box type are better suited to bantams or if constucted well for large breeds as well.
Beware that you do not make them to big to move and handle, a size suitable to carry 5 or 6 bantams is ideal or a larger version to carry no more than 3 large fowls is about the size one person can handle.
I have seen much larger and elaborate designs but they were awkeward and required 2 people to carry them.
At the next show you attend have a look at the designs of some other exhibitors and select one you can make yourself that suits your needs and preferences. Most exhibitors are more than happy to show off thier design and craftmanship.

Thanks very much for all that I am very impressed lots to take in but it’s good to know the first small advice I got was correct. Again thank you Oakland’s really appreciate it

If you want to buy a carry crate have a look at these ones I use them http://www.bellsouth.com.au/process/crates.asp

Are the pet pack 20 ok to use for transport to shows and also how many bantams is safe

They are perfect for transporting and 2 per box is the right number put some straw on the bottom to stop the poop getting all over them

What do you use on the bottom of the transport cage
News paper or sawdust?

I prefer pine shavings but news paper will do at a pinch

Mine eat the pine shavings will it hurt them to eat too much?

The pine shavings are good just use the dog bedding one and its safe for all animals