How to Care for a Show Chicken

Caring for a show chicken can be a rewarding experience. However, if you are not familiar with raising chickens, the task of caring for one may be daunting. There are so many facets to consider, such as cleaning, feeding and preparing it for competition. But once you learn a few basic skills and experience some time with your show chicken, you may find caring for one easier than you assumed.

Things You'll Need

  • Cloth towel
  • Baby or vitamin E oil
  • Nail clippers
  • Nail file
  • Feeder
  • Parakeet gravel
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Instructions

  1. Washing Tips

    • 1

      Wash your chicken in an area with a room temperature between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Exposing a wet chicken to temperatures outside of this range can kill it.

    • 2

      Measure the water temperature when washing the chicken. The water temperature should be approximately 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Rinse the chicken in water that is room temperature.

    • 3

      Rub the chicken gently with a cloth towel after washing. This will likely leave the chicken slightly damp. Allow the moist plumage to air dry in a room with a temperature that ranges from 85 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid exposing your chicken to temperatures that exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 4

      Apply baby or vitamin E oil to the comb, wattle, beak and shanks of the chicken using a cloth rag, after the chicken is completely dry. Do not allow any oil to get into the feathers.

    • 5

      Trim the toe nails regularly using a pair of nail clippers. File the nails into arches using a nail file.

    Feeding Tips

    • 6

      Allow your chicken to have access to clean water at all times. Dehydration can cause your chicken to get sick and possibly die. From birth to six weeks, give your baby chick water in a shallow pan to prevent it from drowning.

    • 7

      Provide your chicken with the adequate amount of protein. As a chick, from birth to six weeks, your chicken̵7;s diet should have an approximate protein ratio of 18 to 20 percent. From six weeks on, the protein ratio should range from 12 to 14 percent.

    • 8

      Mix sand or parakeet gravel into the starter feed for your baby chicks. Adult chickens should have access to small rocks and pebbles. Chickens eat pebbles to help them digest their food.

    Competition Tips

    • 9

      Transport your chicken in a sturdy, but light, cage. Place clean, dry straw inside in the cage to provide bedding. Do not put water inside the transport cage as it will likely spill, staining your chicken in the process.

    • 10

      Provide your chicken with ample feed and water during the competition. Chickens are self-regulated feeders, so if your chicken does not eat, assume it is not hungry.

    • 11

      Quarantine your chicken for two weeks after a competition. Your chicken will be exposed to other chickens, people and environments which may harbor disease, parasites and bacteria. Make sure your chicken is healthy before allowing it to come in contact with your other show chickens.