Showmanship Help

[fantailgirl]

As some of you probably know (I've mentioned it a few times before), I won Grand Champion Showman with an American Fantail pigeon. This seems to be an extreme accomplishment on my part, though I didn't relize this until recently. I will be going to the Michigan State Fair to compete for state champion, and I could use some helpful tips. I really want to do very well to show this whole state that pigeons exist.

[upcd]

Are you showing the fantails or the other birds you have? You know about how clean they need to be. No dirt or bugs. Lacing the tail if it's fan. Oiling the legs if there are no muffs. Have the birds in thier show cages everyday.

[fantailgirl]

I'm using my male fantail, but I'm stuck between a rock and a tight place with him. He's my calmest bird and isn't breeding right now, but... he's molting. BAD. The only other birds that I have fit for showing are my Figuritas, but I'm trying to get them to breed.

What's lacing the tail?

[PapaPigeon]

OooH OoooH I'll answer. I just learned this a couple weeks ago, I read it on here and asked my mentor what it was. Lacing the tail is when you go through the tail of a fantail and put one feather forward, one backward and it creates a sort of pattern. It's easier to explain by actually seeing it, I hope that kind of makes sense. I thought it was usually only done to one type, not both. >>>>>Do you guys always slick their feet if not muffed? I have a show Saturday and I want to kill, should I use like vasoline???

CONGRATS on the win fantail girl!

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Fantail Girl and Matt,

Fantail Girl, congratulations on your first win in competition, you must be very proud of your male

Hi Matt, you could also use mineral oil to shine up the feet and legs. Not only will it make them look really shiny and red, but it will kill any mites if they are present

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It's really nice to see you guys so supportive of each other and how much you're learning about your hobby, I think it's just wonderful how devoted and interested you both are, way to go!

[re lee]

Oil is not a good thing to use. As you have to be careful not to get any on the feathers alcohol Will work great on cleaning the feet. And drys fast. Laceing you go through the tail feathers sorting them out say start on th right side feel the base line of the quill useing the thumb and index finger putting each feather in line. Up to the center. Then do the otherside. Then interlace each feather by over and under. Its best to have someone show you. Now at a fair most often the birds are in a smaller show pen for sometime. So you may have to check to make sure the bird is drinking and eat ok. And relace the tail. smooth any frade feathers. from catching them on the wire. If your bird is moulting other birds will be too.

[fantailgirl]

MI State Fair doesn't have pigeon classes, so George only needs to be there for showmanship. I'll work on his tail, and see if I can get the hang of it. I'm learning how to teach myself how to do things on my own, as I'm the only person in my area with anything more than general info stored in my brain.

At fair, one of my kids in the club had a solution that is used on many show birds. I cleaned George's legs with rubbing alcohol, then gently messaged this solution on his legs. It was like oil, but it didn't mess the feathers up. I also rubbed it on his beak and beak cere.

I'm very proud of my Georgie, because he didn't have to just deal with me, the two junior winners had to handle him when we were up for champion. I felt sooooo sorry for them! He kept leaping out of their hands and making a mad dash down th table (as mad of a dash that he could with his stubby little legs and head way back in the pocket ), and I kept fretting about him, and answering questions about Silver Seabrites and Old English Game Bantams . Not an easy thing to do!

[fantailgirl]

GOOD LUCK MATT!!!

Kick their butts! Show them that pigeons are the greatest birds EVER!

[upcd]

Can you get pictures of your birds? So we can see how nice they look all decked out. And show us those ribbions too.

[fantailgirl]

Ok, my mom and I were going to take a picture of George and Angie (my rabbit), because I won Reserve Grand Champion Rabbit showman too, and we were going to show off all my lovely wins this year. It truely was my year at fair. Be prepared for ALOT of shiny trophies and ribbons Would you like a list, 'cause it's kinda long...

BUT, it rained last night and my fantails are in the front of the barn. They're a little wet... The back of their cage was perfectly dry, as that's where their food is, so I don't know why they're wet. Maybe they like cold showers...

I have to give George a bath here soon anyway, I want him to be clean for State Fair.

But, before I do that, I have to go to my college, sign up for financial (sp?) aid, talk to my consouler, sign up for classes, and have a fight with the Fair Office and Greenstone about the Large Animal Fair checks (I show and sell beef steers too, and I need the money I got from them to go school shopping). So it won't be up until laterz. Sorry...

[fantailgirl]

Well, here's George, as he was in another thread. Not decked out, but you get the idea.

[birdlover000]

I like George's color! Hope you both do great!

[upcd]

pics of your fan. nice colors. Once he is decked out you will do well.

[TerriB]

Neat pic with the stream in the background! Good luck at the fair!

[fantailgirl]

Thank you

George is a ham, he loves his picture being taken. I've never really seen very many almonds, other than Angel, one of my hens, so I'm glad to hear that I picked out a good one His color seems to be coming in a little darker.

His tail is all broken now, and he's missing a few. It sucks when they molt, my birds feathers get brittle and then fall out easy. I'm pulling his tail after fair and watch how it grows out.

When I got George back in April, he had a REALLY bad lice infection, so all of his tail and flight feathers have holes all over them and are barred very bad. I want to see what he looks like when he is molted out and his feathers are all intact.

How old is a young bird? There is a young bird show, but I don't know if my birds are young anymore. They are a 2004 hatch.