New hens not going into Eglu Go Up

[Parsley]

I am having a very crash course on showing but would be grateful for more help.

I have now been told about split wing which apparently is instant disqualification (if seen ) so am having to change my mind over which Sulmtaler to put in and go with my other girl who has good wings but not such a good crest

On checking my Thuringian, she does not have any split wings but she has gone through a partial moult a little while ago and a couple of her wing feathers are only half way out

How long does it take for them to grow?

I have also been told that the birds most critical judge should be its owner. How true and I am seeing so many faults

On a positive front, I am entering my white crested black Poland Carman Miranda in the pet category so she may catch the judges eye.

[Patricia W]

I thought feathers take about 6 weeks? Not sure, Redwing is probably your best expert.

[Chortle Chook]

Total non expert here and I'm sure you know already but I've read (and Redwing can confirm or not) that protein helps with feather growth and so a few extra mealworms at this stage would not go amiss.

By the way, would you post a pix of your Thuringian? I have only ever seen one and I thought she was so very pretty. Are they not quite rare?

[Redwing]

Wing feathers are really slow growing, it will be another month before the wings are anything approaching complete

 

Interestingly split wing is not a fault in all breeds, some of the best Asian game birds have split wings and its seen as a good quality - that aside you are right its a fault in most breeds

 

At the show the judge takes each bird out of the cage and looks at it all over, holds it up to see its profile and spreads each wing out in turn so split wings will certainly be spotted

 

With reference to the incomplete wings I've won prizes before with a cockerel with damaged wing feathers, sometimes as long as the feathers arent missing and the rest of the bird is good the judge will place it

 

Whatever happens its good experience

[laurmurf]

I'm a bit concerned about feather damage from an overly enthusiastic cock on my malay girl - feather regrowth is good for her bare patches but there are broken feathers too, Tasha, what do you think the chances are for the National? Maybe the Fed instead?

[Redwing]

Hmm if she has already moulted so they are new and they are wing or tail feathers youre on to a loser I think Laurie

 

If the damaged ones are fine feathers you can whip them out and hope they regrow (they should do, its two months away yet)

 

if she hasnt moulted you can but hope she does soon!

 

The bald patches should be ok, a bit of massage apparently helps!

 

Most of mine are moulting and I've mixed up some rocketfuelfeed for them to whisk them out the other side of the moult fighting fit

 

The feed is: Cockerel growers pellets, chick pellets, pigeon moulting food, wheat, Alfastart, Alfalfa powder and Poultry Spice

 

If you cant be bothered with the mixing (all 100+kg of it!) then pop them on growers pellets

[Daphne]

I have also been told that the birds most critical judge should be its owner. How true and I am seeing so many faults

On a positive front, I am entering my white crested black Poland Carman Miranda in the pet category so she may catch the judges eye.

 

Remember tho, even if/when you see faults in your own birds the competition may be even 'worse' so you are still in with a decent chance

 

Go that poland If you go to the Fed or the Nat you will see some polands that take your breath away. Too much like hard work for me, but they are absolutely stunning and the work that has gone into them is astounding.