If you had told me 10 years ago that I would hauling chickens in my minivan across the state of Texas for shows, I would have laughed my butt off. First of all, this country girl drove a pickup not a minivan, and second I love horses not chickens. Honestly never had much use for chickens, you do know where eggs come from right?
Kids change everything. Somehow I ended up with a boy who loves chickens the way I love horses. We got involved in 4-h and discovered they have chicken shows. Now I am not talking about meat chickens where they judge your chicken by how juicy your bird can be. I am talking about showmanship......for chickens. SHOWMANSHIP.....where you get in front of a judge and have to tell him about your chicken.They judge your birds feather condition, how clean they are, and how calm they are. Really? They do that? Yes they do and I have pictures to prove it. First, let's just look at what it takes to get ready for these shows. It's a lot of work!
Kids change everything. Somehow I ended up with a boy who loves chickens the way I love horses. We got involved in 4-h and discovered they have chicken shows. Now I am not talking about meat chickens where they judge your chicken by how juicy your bird can be. I am talking about showmanship......for chickens. SHOWMANSHIP.....where you get in front of a judge and have to tell him about your chicken.They judge your birds feather condition, how clean they are, and how calm they are. Really? They do that? Yes they do and I have pictures to prove it. First, let's just look at what it takes to get ready for these shows. It's a lot of work!
A few days before the show you have to get your chickens really clean. You get three buckets and put warm water deep enough to submerge, but not drown your chicken in each one.
The first bucket has soapy water. You use dog shampoo or Dawn dish washing soap( it is safe to use on animals.) Contrary to popular belief they really seem to enjoy a warm bubble bath.
After you get them good and clean,( no rubbing or brushing, it rubs the feathers off)they go in the rinse water.
After you get them good and clean,( no rubbing or brushing, it rubs the feathers off)they go in the rinse water.
Let drip.......
Rinse again in the last bucket which has about 3 oz of vinegar added for extra cleaning. Here comes the fun part.......
Blow drying......
More blow drying.......
And more blow drying......until you get them back to their cute fluffy selves...
Who knew chickens could be......well.... kind of cute.