1111
Housing, Health & Hatching / Re: Conditioning housing for prospective show birds
« on: October 10, 2014, 04:12:30 PM »
What are y'all using for bedding in your show/conditioning cages?
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1112
Housing, Health & Hatching / Re: Conditioning housing for prospective show birds
« on: October 10, 2014, 04:10:50 PM »Susan:
I do not have a large barn with space for conditioning pens, so here's what I do. I have three separate coops. I built this one (my wife calls the two-seater) primarily for use as conditioning pens/coops. It is 4 ft x 12 ft, with a divider down the middle to create two 4'x6' coops. A month or more before a show, I transfer 3 or 4 potential female contestants into one side, and typically a cockerel into the other. Whether I let them outside depends on how wet the ground is. I usually don't let out the cockerel because free rangers from the other coops may want to pick a fight from the other side of the run.
When not in use for show birds, the structure is quite versatile. I use it to grow out chicks in the spring, as housing for cocks (with a cardboard divider between the sections so that they can't see each other) or for a larger group with the middle divider removed.
Several days before the show I bring the ones that I intend to show into the garage for bathing and final conditioning. Ideally I would get them cage ready earlier than this, but I work with what I have.
Duane
Thanks for sharing your pics! I really like the idea of the split coop.
1113
Housing, Health & Hatching / Re: Conditioning housing for prospective show birds
« on: October 10, 2014, 04:08:38 PM »The second molt is not a factor, as chickens and bantams must be older than that before they are ready to be shown. What you have to worry about in young birds is unexpected molts at six to 12 months. Sudden changes in feed, weather, stress - lots of things can throw them into a molt just when you don't want it to happen. Some of them you have at least some control over, others you don't. Unless you have a climate controlled Taj Mahal of a chicken palace. Under normal conditions most bantams will reach peak show condition at 5 to 7 months, most large fowl chickens 6 to 9 months though some can take longer. Different breeds, even different strains of the same breed, may vary. Once again, experience is the best teacher. By the way, as just a reminder, don't believe everything you see on the internet. It is a handy tool, but misinformation can be spread at practically the speed of light and tends to be repeated.
Don't worry about forced molting for young birds as it won't be needed. And I never had much luck with forced molting of older birds, because I just don't have the heart to put them under that much stress.
Thank you for clearing that up for me, Mike. I agree on the forced molting - I don't think I could put my birds through that kind of stress.
1114
Housing, Health & Hatching / Re: Conditioning housing for prospective show birds
« on: October 09, 2014, 08:32:48 AM »
Searching the internet for how to bring on a forced molt and I don't think I like what I'm reading. I don't think I could do the fasting method and withhold food, in fact, I'm know I couldn't. I did find one link about light reduction to bring on a molt, but couldn't get the link to open - so I'm still in the dark about that one (sorry - just couldn't resist the pun).
So, would covering cages for a few days (assuming there is still sufficient ventilation) be enough to start a molt? And, once they've gone through that molt, would a chicken go through another when the weather really changes or are they "immune" to weather changes once they've gone through the molt?
So, would covering cages for a few days (assuming there is still sufficient ventilation) be enough to start a molt? And, once they've gone through that molt, would a chicken go through another when the weather really changes or are they "immune" to weather changes once they've gone through the molt?
1115
Housing, Health & Hatching / Re: Conditioning housing for prospective show birds
« on: October 09, 2014, 08:20:41 AM »
Ok, now I'm confused...again.
Reading up on the molts that a chicken goes through, there are two juvenile molts for young chicks - one at 6-8 days and the second one at 7-12 weeks (info courtesy of The Chicken Chick). Then adult molts will occur at 16-18 months old, if conditions are right.
So...it's really that second molt for the cocks and hens that I'm planning my hatches around..correct? Any cockerels or pullets I'm showing in the fall will have already gone through their two juvenile molts and won't molt again until their second year.
Pretty much all my adult birds have completed their adult molt for this year by now, though I wish I had started marking dates down. So..if I were going to be showing anything this year, they would all be ready to go...right? (Assuming all else is equal - health, training, conditioning).
Reading up on the molts that a chicken goes through, there are two juvenile molts for young chicks - one at 6-8 days and the second one at 7-12 weeks (info courtesy of The Chicken Chick). Then adult molts will occur at 16-18 months old, if conditions are right.
So...it's really that second molt for the cocks and hens that I'm planning my hatches around..correct? Any cockerels or pullets I'm showing in the fall will have already gone through their two juvenile molts and won't molt again until their second year.
Pretty much all my adult birds have completed their adult molt for this year by now, though I wish I had started marking dates down. So..if I were going to be showing anything this year, they would all be ready to go...right? (Assuming all else is equal - health, training, conditioning).
1116
Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: Lucasville Meet
« on: October 07, 2014, 03:06:22 PM »
Oh, ok, Sharon!
Thanks for posting
I can't wait to see pics
Thanks for posting
I can't wait to see pics
1117
Exhibiting & Promoting / Lucasville Meet
« on: October 07, 2014, 02:49:44 PM »
I would love to see pics from the National meet this past weekend in Lucasville. Any body get any good pics?
Of course, I'm partial to the wheatens and blue wheatens, but I'd love to any of the winning birds!
So, c'mon folks - let's see your pics
Of course, I'm partial to the wheatens and blue wheatens, but I'd love to any of the winning birds!
So, c'mon folks - let's see your pics
1118
Housing, Health & Hatching / Re: Conditioning housing for prospective show birds
« on: October 06, 2014, 07:14:32 PM »
Okay...next question, Mike (or anyone who would like to answer)
If I plan my hatches earlier - say between Jan-early March, then they should have all gone through that first molt by even the earliest shows. Wouldn't that be better, as they will be showing a more "mature" feathering and coloration?
Although, in order for that to work, I would have to do a force molt as it would not be cool enough or enough night hours for a molt to occur naturally here in SC. So..who can help me with how to and the pros/cons of a forced molt?
(or anyone who would like to answer)If I plan my hatches earlier - say between Jan-early March, then they should have all gone through that first molt by even the earliest shows. Wouldn't that be better, as they will be showing a more "mature" feathering and coloration?
Although, in order for that to work, I would have to do a force molt as it would not be cool enough or enough night hours for a molt to occur naturally here in SC. So..who can help me with how to and the pros/cons of a forced molt?
1119
Housing, Health & Hatching / Re: Conditioning housing for prospective show birds
« on: October 06, 2014, 06:16:18 PM »
Thank you, Mike! I can see I'm going to have to start treating this hobby with the same seriousness of intent as I did the horse and dog breeding!
So, if I'm understanding you correctly, then if I want my pullets to be in prime show condition for when the shows are here (usually Sept/Oct in the fall and starting in Mar in the spring), then I want to time their hatch so they have not hit their first molt yet, right?
Therefore, if my pullets are hitting that first molt in the 6 month range, and given my show dates, then I don't want them hatching before April-May?
Is that a general rule - they hit that first molt around 6 months of age?
I also agree with what you said about choosing the most amenable for your show stock. One of the traits of the Ameraucanas that I first fell in love with is that wonderful personality and something I will definitely be looking to maintain in my breeding stock.
Any other breeders in the southeast area (NC, SC, GA) that can share their timetables for hatching/molting/showing?
Thanks, everyone - I'm really learning from this.
So, if I'm understanding you correctly, then if I want my pullets to be in prime show condition for when the shows are here (usually Sept/Oct in the fall and starting in Mar in the spring), then I want to time their hatch so they have not hit their first molt yet, right?
Therefore, if my pullets are hitting that first molt in the 6 month range, and given my show dates, then I don't want them hatching before April-May?
Is that a general rule - they hit that first molt around 6 months of age?
I also agree with what you said about choosing the most amenable for your show stock. One of the traits of the Ameraucanas that I first fell in love with is that wonderful personality and something I will definitely be looking to maintain in my breeding stock.
Any other breeders in the southeast area (NC, SC, GA) that can share their timetables for hatching/molting/showing?
Thanks, everyone - I'm really learning from this.
1120
Housing, Health & Hatching / Re: Conditioning housing for prospective show birds
« on: October 05, 2014, 06:02:11 PM »
Don
You gave some very helpful information and made me think of more questions.
You mentioned a forced molt - how does one go about doing that and at what time (in relation to upcoming shows - eg..6 weeks ahead, 2 mos ahead, etc)
I have insulated panels - like what they use for the underflooring on ice skating rinks. We've made a couple of three-sided shelters for the free range birds and turkeys and it sounds like these might work perfect for these pens. I'll see if I can get a picture and show you what I'm talking about.
Ok..diet - anyone want to share what they do about diet for their show birds and if it changes pre-molt, molt, and post molt.
Thanks
You gave some very helpful information and made me think of more questions.
You mentioned a forced molt - how does one go about doing that and at what time (in relation to upcoming shows - eg..6 weeks ahead, 2 mos ahead, etc)
I have insulated panels - like what they use for the underflooring on ice skating rinks. We've made a couple of three-sided shelters for the free range birds and turkeys and it sounds like these might work perfect for these pens. I'll see if I can get a picture and show you what I'm talking about.
Ok..diet - anyone want to share what they do about diet for their show birds and if it changes pre-molt, molt, and post molt.
Thanks
1121
Housing, Health & Hatching / Conditioning housing for prospective show birds
« on: October 02, 2014, 08:17:54 AM »
I've gone through some of the threads here and found a lot of good suggestions, but I thought I'd just start a new thread.
Currently, all my pens are 8 x 8 or bigger and house either a trio or a quad or more. Each pen has a separate enclosed area where the chickens can get out of the weather and where the hens can lay their eggs. This style works well for breeding, but not so well if I'm trying to get conditioning and training for a few show prospects.
Please note that I do not have a small barn available (yet), so whatever I build for show conditioning has to be free standing and out in the elements.
So...here are my questions.
Thanks for your input.
Currently, all my pens are 8 x 8 or bigger and house either a trio or a quad or more. Each pen has a separate enclosed area where the chickens can get out of the weather and where the hens can lay their eggs. This style works well for breeding, but not so well if I'm trying to get conditioning and training for a few show prospects.
Please note that I do not have a small barn available (yet), so whatever I build for show conditioning has to be free standing and out in the elements.
So...here are my questions.
- What is your setup for show conditioning/training? Feel free to share pics - I'd love to see them.
- How long before the show season do you put birds in the show cages?
- What does your training consist of and how is it accomplished? (eg. do you use food to train the chickens to come to the front of the cage or is it just a matter of getting them used to being handled?)
- And, finally, do you change the diet of the birds in the conditioning cages, and if so, to what?
Thanks for your input.
1122
Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: 2015 Ameraucana National Meet
« on: September 29, 2014, 04:06:17 PM »
I've shown at Purina Farms. The SSLLRC (Spirit of St Louis Labrador Retriever Club) holds their specialty there the last weekend of October and it is a very nice place! I haven't been back since 2009 and they didn't have the building complete yet, but my friends in the SSLLRC tell me it is wonderful.
I will definitely plan on attending, even if I have to walk, if the 2015 show is there - I have LOTS of friends nearby from the Labrador community. Of course, if I'm walking, I might better get started now - it will take me that long just to make it to Don's house outside Charlotte and hope he can give me a ride (or at least some refreshments) for the rest of the way.
I will definitely plan on attending, even if I have to walk, if the 2015 show is there - I have LOTS of friends nearby from the Labrador community. Of course, if I'm walking, I might better get started now - it will take me that long just to make it to Don's house outside Charlotte and hope he can give me a ride (or at least some refreshments) for the rest of the way.
1123
Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: 2015 Ameraucana National Meet
« on: September 26, 2014, 10:26:13 PM »
Beth
I think their primary limit right now is due to limited number of exhibition cages and they're planning on acquiring more. Not sure what the capacity of the building is, but I can find out should the need arise.
I think their primary limit right now is due to limited number of exhibition cages and they're planning on acquiring more. Not sure what the capacity of the building is, but I can find out should the need arise.
1124
Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: 2015 Ameraucana National Meet
« on: September 23, 2014, 07:09:41 PM »I've never been to a double show, sounds like a lot of work.
The beach does sound like fun Susan. But if we go to Arkansas we can take John down to visit the Clinton Library and visit P Allen Smiths place along the river. Some say it's quite the place. I heard that one of our members was there this summer to pick up some Wyandottes.
Oh...that is tempting, Don! Ok, I'm in, save me a seat in the car. LOL
1125
Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: 2015 Ameraucana National Meet
« on: September 23, 2014, 04:31:21 PM »
How about near the beach and some historical charm? 
The Hobby Farmer's Association of the PeeDee has agreed to host our National, if we'd like for them to. Here is a link to their site:
http://www.peedeehfa.org/
They are APA approved and have held a few poultry shows. Here is a link to their show this year:
http://www.peedeehfa.org/event/pee-dee-poultry-show/
The Hobby Farmer's Association of the PeeDee has agreed to host our National, if we'd like for them to. Here is a link to their site:
http://www.peedeehfa.org/
They are APA approved and have held a few poultry shows. Here is a link to their show this year:
http://www.peedeehfa.org/event/pee-dee-poultry-show/