age to start show training

Chickett · **Joined:** Sun Apr 17, 2011 7:38 am **Posts:** 4

What age do you start show training of cockerels and pullets

Gomez · **Joined:** Sat Apr 23, 2011 5:58 am **Posts:** 1

Start the training at 8-10 weeks on and off then more serious at 16-20 weeks

OakA · **Posted:** Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:28 am

Getting then quiet and used to handling is the first and most vital step.
This can start at day 1 in the brooder, I handle mine and examine specific chicks and it only takes a few days for them to come to hand and not panic and go crazy.
People have come here and are astounded at the fowls coming around me when they see me, I can reach down and pick them up and they are comfortable and content to be handled.
The later stages of training are done when selected to be shown and then is only a matter of refining thier show skills.
I train mine to come to the front of the cage and take a single grain of corn, held high to get them to stand tall ( my main breed is Malay), this is done every time I go into the show shed, maybe 2 or 3 grains each visit 5 or 6 times a day.
Then when you go to a show they expect to be fed a treat and come to the front of the cage and stand still and tall, showing themselves to advantage, then if quiet are no trouble to remove from the cage for examination.
Nothing frustrates a judge more or reduces your chances of winning than a mad fowl that panics at being handled and does not relax in hand for close examination.

SHOWCHAMP · **Joined:** Wed May 18, 2011 12:14 pm **Posts:** 1

Take Oaklands advice as he is right on all points but particularly in the starting from day 1 this is very important with handling for you and a judge

Chickett · **Joined:** Sun Apr 17, 2011 7:38 am **Posts:** 4

Just what I needed to know cheers

fluffballs · **Joined:** Tue Jun 07, 2011 7:07 pm **Posts:** 3

When you start the show training do you keep the show birds separate from the pets? Do you keep them on there own in show pens and don't let them breed while in the show circle?

OakA · **Posted:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 6:01 pm

Once you have done the initial quietening and show training they only require a few days final preparation before a show to refresh and reinforce the training.
Don't keep them indefinitely in small show cops, they still need exercise to maintain muscle tone and fitness for show.It is always evident fowls that are confined for long periods during a long show season, they lack fitness and muscle and step awkwardly in the pen lifting thier feet high in an unnatural and peculiar fashion.
If you are going to show pairs or trios run them together to get accustomed to each other, fowls that are penned together for the first time at a show will often fight or the male hassle the females.
As a general rule you can breed during the show season but at times hens will become pecked and feather damage results with an over enthusiastic male.

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