Ever get halfway to where you're going, and realize you've forgotten something important? Everyone's been there, from seasoned breeders to first-time showmen. It can add even more stress to something that's already a lot of planning and work, and for your first few shows, you may not even know where to start with what to bring. Here's a good checklist that gets broken down a bit more in this article as well:
The biggest tip I have is to start packing early. Many things in your showbox can sit for months if not years. If you restock right after a show and go through your "inventory" of supplies at the beginning of the year, you can avoid having to rush to the store last minute and paying more than you normally would, or accidentally forgetting and having to go without something important. Not to mention, the overall stress it saves. I go through a rough timeline of when it's best to plan for supplies and go through your show box in another article.
Again, this isn't the end-all, be-all for packing. Many people bring more, many breeders bring less to a poultry show. This is just what I and a few breeders recommend and personally bring with to different shows, and works as a good starting point for anyone just getting into the showroom who may not know what to bring.
Showbox:
This is the staple of a good showman. Having a well-packed and usable showbox makes transport, cleaning, stocking, and showdays so much easier. Everyone uses something different for the showbox itself. I personally use a large tackle/toolbox that I decaled with "Pips 'n Chicks" and my name/contact information in case I lose it. Other people use rolling carts or wagons. Both work fine. Make sure it has your name somewhere on it, whether it's just Sharpied on or engraved.
Avoid using something heavy that doesn't have wheels, like a wooden crate. Also avoid anything that isn't sturdy or farm-tested, like suitcases. It should be something that you can move across a barn easily, store everything you need nicely, and overall fits into your car/truck/trailer well. Either choosing something with an insert or making an organizer for it also will make your life easier.
To put in your showbox, you'll need general farm supplies. Sharpies, a pen, zip ties, a knife/scissors, and duct tape are always useful and good to have on hand. Whether it's a quick fix on a cage, marking down placings, or even simple first aid, it's best to keep them in your showbox in a place that's easy to get to.
Cleaning supplies are the next big category to take up space in the box and are something you'll want to keep towards the top. Nail clippers and an emory board help to get any last toenails you may have missed (or lend to a friend who forgot), while wet wipes are essential to getting gunk off your bird
and yourself the day of the show. While not on the list, a hand sanitizer bottle could be used instead. Rags again go here, to wipe up yourself and the bird. Silk cloths work even better to help knit the barbs on stubborn feathers, but aren't a complete necessity if you have other scraps of fabric around. Q-tips and toothbrushes help to get any hard-to-reach places, or stubborn dirt, and help apply any topicals if you use or need them. Scrubbies or other brushes can be helpful too.
Your optional supplies here are things that vary from breeder to breeder. Show Shine and Bath in A Bottle is a spray-on livestock solution that can be used like a leave-in conditioner: it livens up the feathers and makes the bird smell good when used appropriately, however, some breeders believe it's more of a sham than anything else as it doesn't actually clean the bird up. Most breeders use some form of topical on the feet, legs, wattles, and combs to bring out the natural color, though every breeder has a different one. Some suggest WD-40, others Vicks, others Vaseline, some use Vet RX, and others use straight vegetable oil. You just have to find what works well for you and how much you want to use on each bird. Putting any and all liquids in a Ziplock or other sealable waterproof bag will save you a headache later on.
The final category is medical supplies. Again, some people bring lots of additive medical supplies, from preventatives to bandages, while some people live by "survival of the fittest" and don't bring anything. In general, bloodstop is always helpful (livestock bloodstop is pretty easy to find, but cornstarch works well too). Whether it's your bird or someone else's picking a fight with the cage door or cutting a nail too short, it keeps the bleeding and mess to a minimum. Use a powder that won't make much of a mess over a tube of antibiotics or something that can both expire and leak. Preventatives and simple immune/energy boosters to add to the water like ACV, Gatorade, Pedialite, or others can also be stored here if you like to use them, just watch the expiration date.
Anything else, in my personal opinion, shouldn't be necessary. If bleeding is severe enough to need gauze, the bird shouldn't be kept at a show. Antibiotics or other ointments can expire and leak. But it is up to each individual person to decide what is important to them.
Paperwork:
This is arguably the most important set of supplies and information you could forget or miss. Luckily, it's also the simplest. Keeping a binder with a cheap set of page protectors and putting any information in it makes it easy to keep track of. It is great to have online backups too if needed, but paper copies are a lifesaver in the metal barns without reception, or to confirm something while driving. This binder should stay safely in the showbox or car, and only be pulled out when necessary before being put back in the same place every time.
The best files to keep here are the most obvious: a copy of your NPIP paperwork, any premise ID if your state requires it, entry forms, and pullorum testing forms. These should all be copies, with the originals stored at home. Printouts of your hotel/camping reservation (along with the address), entry instructions, car passes, entry tickets, or any other proof and important information for this specific show can be kept in a folder in the binder, and emptied after the show. When in doubt, print a copy out and stick it in there.
Keeping a notepad and scratch paper can also be very helpful for the little odds and ends. Maybe it's the placings and birds. Maybe it's a phone number you want to remember or a website to visit later. No matter what, it doesn't hurt to have.
In the Car:
The car is always the hardest to pack and the easiest place to forget things. It often gets left to the very end, which makes it the most chaotic. Whenever possible, make sure to put things in early. Again, I lay out a good timeline for that here.
Start with the smaller things that you can pack earlier. A set of foldable chairs for in-between coop-in and the show. Your showbox, cage cups, and a bucket of feed can all be packed away a week in advance. The paperwork should have its designated spot from the get-go, and stay there. Your personal bag of clothes can be packed days early and ready to go. Shelf snacks and water bottles too (granola bars, goldfish crackers, dried fruit, all of it can last well in the car).
The biggest question mark at this point is usually the birds. They can't be packed in weeks in advance. However, the show boxes can still be set up neatly arranged. Make sure you have space for each bird to have their own cage, and if you're going to a show with a swap, room for a few extras just in case chicken math decides to strike. If you need a trailer, that's fine but figure that out in advance!
Other Essentials:
Honestly, these are some of the fun ones that can get put where there's extra space.
The Standard of Perfection is an important part of any poultry show. Even if it's not something you use often (which you should!) it's great to have while walking the aisles and looking at different birds. Depending on what breeds you show, you may want to have the bantam standard as well. Both can be useful and important in their own right.
An apron or showcoat is useful primarily with the extra pockets. During the actual show day, it's important to be able to get to your supplies easily and have them on hand. Keeping wipes in your pockets, along with paper/pencil and your spray/oil of choice is very handy to get from one side of the barn to the next without dragging around your whole show box. It is also heavily recommended that most youth showmanship wear formal clothes like a lab coat.
Overall:
In conclusion, preparing for a poultry show can be an overwhelming task, especially for newcomers. However, by starting early and using a well-organized checklist, you can alleviate much of the stress and make sure you have everything you need. Preparation is key, from packing a sturdy, practical showbox to organizing essential paperwork and ensuring your birds are ready to go. Remember, each breeder has their own preferences and methods, so it's important to find what works best for you and tweak this list as needed after a few shows. Whether it's your first show or your fiftieth, having a solid packing strategy will help you avoid last-minute scrambles and allow you to fully enjoy the experience of showcasing your hard work and dedication.
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