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A Guide to Stress-Free Poultry Exhibiting

Exhibiting poultry can be an enjoyable and enriching experience, offering a chance to connect with individuals passionate about aviculture. However, for first-time exhibitors, the process can also induce stress—for both the exhibitor and the birds involved. In his insightful book, Showing Poultry, seasoned poultry judge Glenn Drowns shares expert advice on how to create a positive experience for everyone involved.

Proper Handling of Poultry

One of the key aspects of successful poultry exhibiting is teaching your birds to be comfortable with human interaction. Drowns emphasizes the importance of frequent handling to help birds develop calm and relaxed personalities, which are crucial traits for a successful show. Each type of fowl has its own unique response to the exhibiting experience, and Drowns provides specific tips for managing chickens, bantams, ducks, geese, turkeys, and guinea fowl.

The Bathing Debate

Another consideration is whether or not to bathe your birds before the show. Bathing can be a difficult process and may cause unnecessary stress to the animals. Drowns points out that waterfowl like ducks and geese are generally more forgiving of beginner mistakes and can often prepare themselves with minimal assistance when provided a suitable water container.

In contrast, Drowns notes that turkeys and guinea fowl often do not require bathing. In fact, guineas can become highly stressed during a bath, resulting in feather loss that could jeopardize their chances of winning. For chickens, however, a proper bath can make a noticeable positive difference, and Drowns includes detailed guidance on how to effectively bathe them.

Managing Pre-Show Anxiety

First-time exhibitors often experience jitters on the day of the show. To combat this, Drowns recommends a few calming techniques, including deep breathing exercises and visualizing the established routine you have practiced with your birds. This mental preparation can help ease nerves and set the stage for a successful event.

After the show, it’s important to allow your birds time to recover from the stresses they faced. Birds that have been frequently handled and exposed to various environments prior to the show will generally adapt more quickly and return to their routine with less anxiety.

A Resource for New Exhibitors

Showing Poultry serves as a valuable guide for newcomers embarking on their poultry exhibiting journey. Its insights can assist not only young exhibitors but also parents looking to understand the essentials of stress-free poultry showcasing alongside their children.

Further Resources

We hope you find these tips beneficial as you embark on your poultry exhibiting adventure!

Source: The Cackle Hatchery

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