Showing questions

[mustangsaguaro]

I have for sure 2 young birds (1 pullet and 1 cockerel) and maybe a hen I plan on showing in my area in Jan. My question is right now these birds free range. When should I consider locking them up and not allow them to free range. I know there is the concern of damaged feathers and what not when free ranging.

Also do you always wash your birds for a show or do you just take the really dirty ones and wash them. I have another breed I am showing and they will need to be washed but was wondering about the Ameraucana's. I can see if you have a white or light colored bird perhaps the need for washing, but what about the darker colored birds say blacks or blues.

Thanks

[greeneggsandham]

I don't know the answer to your question about when to pen them up, but, I did ask a person who shows about  washing birds and the answer was yes, they always bathe them.  He said he had twenty five birds to bathe!
I think I read somewhere where they bathe them about a week before the show and then cage them so they don't get dirty.