PREPARING BIRDS FOR A SHOW

 

Note – Most of the following paragraphs pertain to shows in the USA, every country and organization has their own rules about showing birds. These are just guidelines and are mainly for exhibitors in the USA.

SHOW CAGES – Once you have decided you want to attend a show it is advisable to start preparing months before the event. Buying show cages is a must if you are seriously interested in starting to compete with your birds. Birds are displayed and behave better in a show cage. They feel protected by the three sides which are either wood or plastic and there’s wire only on the front of the show cage, this discourages the birds to fly to the back or the sides of the cage climbing on the wires and ruining the tail feathers. Show cages need to have non colored food on the bottom of the cage, pour seeds to completely cover the bottom. Do not put in the show cage spray millet or any other supplement. During the show the birds need to have only seeds on the bottom of the show cages. In the USA a small water tube should be placed on the right side of the cage and the show tags go on the left side of the cage. Some show tags hang, other are “stick on” tags. Each country has different rules about show tags, etc.

In the USA exhibitors own their show cages and take their own birds to the shows, unlike some other countries that birds are sent by carriers and the organization provides the show cages. It’s an investment to own your own show cages and serious exhibitors like their birds to be displayed properly and the best way to do this is with a show cage.

There are a few places on the internet where you can purchase show cages, the plastic show cages are easier to clean and are also lighter in weight (some are collapsable making it easier to travel with them), the metal cages are also easier to clean but they are heavier, and the wooden ones need to be painted every so often to keep them looking nice and they are not easy to clean like the plastic and metal ones. ABE accepts plastic, metal or wooden ones because the judges do not judge the cages. Plastic ones need to be sturdy because you don’t want to run the risk of the cage falling apart during a show and the bird escaping.

GETTING BIRDS READY – Getting the birds ready for a show is advisable approximately three months prior to an event. Increase food which has protein and spray your birds with cool water every day. Clean feet with some mineral oil being careful not to get oil on the feathers. This is advisable so the feet are not cracked or dry. Birds usually do not eat during a show or eat very little so it is important to give protein prior to the show.

Different countries have different rules about having feeders and water containers in a show cage during a show. In the USA, the bottom of the wooden or plastic cages are filled about an inch high with bird seed. No colored seeds (some brand of bird seeds have colored seeds, these are not recommended). Also, in the USA the water containers like water tubes are placed on the outside right side of the show cage. In the USA birds are not left without water since the shows may take many hours. Water tubes make it a little more difficult for birds to bathe during a show (although some birds still try, it’s difficult for them to get completely wet. Check your country’s rules regarding food and water during a show. Birds lose body weight fast so it’s important to make sure you get your birds ready prior to a show.

Use a spray water bottle like the one in the picture below, put one drop of glycerin in the water and shake it.
Place bottle in the refrigerator and use to spray your birds daily either once or twice a day.
DO NOT use more than one drop of glycerin or you’ll end up with messy feathers!

You want their feathers to be tight, clean and beautiful for the show.

You can find glycerin at any drug store near the first aid section.

I also recommend feeding your birds Spirulina mixed in their seeds or any other food you offer.
Buy the Spirulina (human grade) in powder form, you can buy it at a health food place or Amazon.
Spirulina comes in a jar or pouch and it’s a powder not a pill!
Any brand is fine as long as it’s human grade.

Spirulina is not only great to get your birds in condition and be healthy but it helps with their feathers, breeding, etc.

SHOW ENTRY FORMS – Depending on the country, there forms are filled by the exhibitor by writing the cage number which is on each tag and the appropriate sections and classes for the different types of birds you are entering. The sections and classes of the show should be available by the organization which is having the bird show.

THINGS TO TAKE WITH YOU TO A SHOW:

Be prepared, take all the information down regarding the birds your taking to the show such as color mutation, band code (number and year). When you are at the show you should not be handling a bird to check band numbers, this should be done at home so you don’t stress the bird at the show.

Pens, to write on the show entry forms, etc.

Electrical tape, (white or black) in case you need to secure a show cage door. Use a color that matches the color of the cage so it is not noticeable. Be prepared, accidents can and do happen when you least expected. Electrical tape is ideal because it’s easy to peel off after the shows but holds quite well if a door should come apart or doesn’t close well.

Scissors

Extra seeds, don’t depend on the show providing seeds. It’s best to take your own food that YOUR bird is used to eating. The show is not the time to introduce something new to eat. Birds usually eat less at a show so it is better if they recognize their own food rather than stressing the birds with something new in their cage.

Bottled water, to fill your water tubes. If you are out of town always give bottled water to your birds, never give water from the faucet if you do not live in that area.

Spray bottle, spray your birds early so they will be dry by the time the judging starts.

Extra water tubes, in case one breaks or you lose one. It’s always a good idea to carry extra in your bag.

Small towel, in case you need to catch or handle a bird.

Tooth brush, in case a bird has pin feathers. It is easier to brush it off using a tooth brush.

Bird net, in case a bird escapes.

Styptic powder for birds, in case a bird is bleeding, styptic powder is a blood clotting emergency treatment.

* You should have a dolly or cart to carry your show cages from your car to the show hall, it doesn’t stress the birds if you take them all at once instead of carrying cages back and forth in your hands. Invest in a cart and storage boxes. Storage boxes that are made out of cardboard and 4 or 5 show cages fit inside and you can stack the boxes on top of each other on the cart. By stacking the boxes on top of each other on the cart you can take all your birds at the same timr into the show hall stress free.
Carts can be found at office depot or online, they start at $40 and card board boxes you can find anywhere. The best cardboard boxes are the old style storage boxes. You can even make handle holes on each side to pick up the boxes easily. Usually 4 or 5 show cages fit in a box.
DO NOT USE PLASTIC BOXES.

The most important thing is to be organized and reduce stress on the birds, you will enjoy the show much better if you are organized and your work is minimized.