Showing Pigeons

[Big T]

All right, I'm going to the Fort Payne show. For three bucks a bird I thought it might be a good idea to show Spirit Wings Frillbacks. Two reasons; one, they are beautiful birds, two, the guy running the show says I'll learn more by showing a bird then just walking around looking and asking questions.

Now my concerns are illness. I am hearing I need to keep the birds separated for two weeks after returning from a show. I do not want to chance getting my babies sick when I just got them. Is this a real problem?

Another concern is stress. They are just getting settled in the loft and three weeks later I'm pulling them out. I do not think I'll win or anything, just was told it is a great way to learn the ropes.

So, since I am undecided, lets take a vote. Take them or not. Spirit Wings your vote weighs more than the rest.

Thanks for your help,
Tony

[TAWhatley]

Well, if you're game to try, Tony, then go for it! It IS important to be aware as you are that you will be exposing your birds to lots of other birds .. thus .. the need to be very careful about what you might be bringing back to your loft from the show. I think it is great that you are asking Spirit Wings and giving that "vote" more weight than others.

I've been to a few pigeon shows, and for the most part, the birds are healthy and if any are questionable then the show officials do not allow them to be entered. Sadly, I have seen a few cases of clearly ill birds in shows.

I hope you will get lots of responses from our members who do show their birds .. obviously they have the knowledge and experience needed to answer your concerns properly.

Terry

[birds+me=happy]

By next year I hope to show a couple of my birds, even though they won't win. If I were you I would go for it. To me, I would just worry about sicknesses IF your birds get them after the show. Seperateing the birds for 2 weeks dosn't sound like much fun to me.

P.S. Are you friends with Spirit Wings?

[Big T]

Originally Posted by birds+me=happy

By next year I hope to show a couple of my birds, even though they won't win. If I were you I would go for it. To me, I would just worry about sicknesses IF your birds get them after the show. Seperateing the birds for 2 weeks dosn't sound like much fun to me.

P.S. Are you friends with Spirit Wings?

I would like to think so. I bought the two young beautiful frillbacks I want to show from her. I also know her well enough that to take her good advice when she gives it.

Tony

[spirit wings]

I would go, they will be fine....I would like to hear how they do. I did not breed them for show though, but heck you never know how you will do with them. good luck!

[Big T]

Originally Posted by Fbirdie82

Do you have any pics? I can give you some ideas on what the judge will say about them. At most shows I can guess right on the money how the Frillies will be placed.

Anywho, I would not be too concerned about your birds getting sick. They aren't sharing food or water. You can reduce their chances of picking up an airborne illness by getting them very healthy before the show, and to reduce their stress at the show you need to handle them and get them used to a wire show cage. Every single exhibitor is required to sign a form stating the health of their flock. I have seen sick birds in the sale section at a few shows way out in the boonies, and I have seen birds actually in a show with feather lice and poor condition. So you do have to be careful.

Good luck and have fun!!!

Yes I do have some pictures in my birds album. I'll try to single them out but I do have side and top view of three of the four. One female will be rejected due to one bull eye but that one is not spirit wings. I will try to add some single shots of each bird.

By the way, are you the young girl that Steve StClair spoke so highly of and that has his blacks? He knows his stuff, and he says you do too.

God Bless,
Tony

[spirit wings]

The new birds have good muffs on them, the ones from me are a bit weak in that department...lol.. but they are still young birds. I think you will do real well breeding these birds...I do not know much about show, but they look a heck of alot better than alot I have seen on eggbid and other places. Fbirdie82 does know her stuff, she can tell you about all he preps before the shows...I hope you enjoy this new adventure.

[Big T]

Originally Posted by spirit wings

The new birds have good muffs on them, the ones from me are a bit weak in that department...lol.. but they are still young birds. I think you will do real well breeding these birds...I do not know much about show, but they look a heck of alot better than alot I have seen on eggbid and other places. Fbirdie82 does know her stuff, she can tell you about all he preps before the shows...I hope you enjoy this new adventure.

Thanks, and that is all it is, an adventure. My birds have already won my heart and that is all that matters. This show is more about meeting people, contacts and learning more about my birds. To be honest, I understand the show has more fantails than anything else. I may win the frillback just because I am the only one entered, LOL.

But I would like Fbirdie82's opinion. Her blacks on this wedsite and your pictures is why I wanted and have my frillbacks. So you do know it made my day to get two of your babies. I promise, I am spoiling them.

God Bless,
Tony

[Fbirdie82]

Originally Posted by Big T

By the way, are you the young girl that Steve StClair spoke so highly of and that has his blacks? He knows his stuff, and he says you do too.

Steve StClair spoke highly of me!? Yes, I do have his blacks now. He is such an amazing person, an amazing fancier, and it makes my entire year to hear that he thinks I know my stuff. Here are pics of the blacks that I got from him: http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/f13/ne...tos-39603.html

Originally Posted by Big T

Thanks, and that is all it is, an adventure. My birds have already won my heart and that is all that matters. This show is more about meeting people, contacts and learning more about my birds. To be honest, I understand the show has more fantails than anything else. I may win the frillback just because I am the only one entered, LOL.

What I bolded is why I show. Yes, it is important to see how a judge places a class and to hear their reasoning so that you can improve your stock, but my favorite part of any show is meeting people and seeing great birds.

[Big T]

Well, three of the birds are entered. The fourth's off color eye with disqualify her. But who cares, she is the most caring of the four. I'll keep you posted as I learn the ropes. I just got to make sure I do not spend all the wife's money on me some birds.

God Bless,
Tony

[TAWhatley]

Originally Posted by Fbirdie82

Steve StClair spoke highly of me!? Yes, I do have his blacks now. He is such an amazing person, an amazing fancier, and it makes my entire year to hear that he thinks I know my stuff. Here are pics of the blacks that I got from him: http://www.pigeons.biz/forums/f13/ne...tos-39603.html

That IS quite a compliment FBirdie82! Kudos to you!

Terry

[george simon]

Originally Posted by Big T

Well, three of the birds are entered. The fourth's off color eye with disqualify her. But who cares, she is the most caring of the four. I'll keep you posted as I learn the ropes. I just got to make sure I do not spend all the wife's money on me some birds.

God Bless,
Tony

Hi TONY, GOOD LUCK, Bring homer a winner. Tony take a note book and keep notes on what you see and what you spend,watch the judges closely keep a record of the judges that judge your birds.GEORGE

[Big T]

Originally Posted by george simon

Hi TONY, GOOD LUCK, Bring homer a winner. Tony take a note book and keep notes on what you see and what you spend,watch the judges closely keep a record of the judges that judge your birds.GEORGE

Great idea and will do, I am also carrying a copy of the standard so I can take notes on it as they judge. I will also watch how Indian Fantails are judged, (same reason). I have some but only my newborn is banded so all were disqualified. Still want to learn.

My Frills have all been dipped and had their bath yesturday. Once cleaned I put them in separate crates with pine shavings on the bottom. A bowl upside down in the middle for each to stand on. They are healthy, clean and bug free. The rest is an adventure for us all. Wish us well and tell you all about it on Sunday.

Spirit, your birds have already won where it counts, my heart. I can tell you spent time with them. Once they got to know me they became my tamest birds in the loft, They come to me when I enter the loft. They also love peanuts, but then so do the rest, they just do not come looking for the peanuts.

God Bless and thank you George for the info that started me on this road,
Tony

[spirit wings]

Spirit, your birds have already won where it counts, my heart. I can tell you spent time with them. Once they got to know me they became my tamest birds in the loft, They come to me when I enter the loft. They also love peanuts, but then so do the rest, they just do not come looking for the peanuts.

ahhhh, thanks, I wish you much fun! let us know...perhaps the pros can tell you what and how to improve what you have too....it should be interesting.... good luck.

[pigeonmama]

good luck, Tony. Have a great time.
Daryl