At the end of it they are expected to perform just like the big shows later in the season. You cannot expect a bird to perform well at its first open show if it has not had any showing experience beforehand. As the show nears, I catch the young birds and place them in stock cages, which are four breeding cages in a row. From four weeks before the show I spray them every day with warm water. The water I put in the spray is very hot as it will be a fine mist when it touches the bird, and is only lukewarm at that point.
Warm water helps take the oil out of the feather and also takes any dirt.
Using cooler water near to the show allows the oil to return and gives the feathers a sheen. I stop spraying two days before the show. Hairdressing Scissors For the last two years I have changed my method of trimming the masks of my show team. I have taken to cutting the feathers rather than pulling them, because it creates a better appearance. Pulling too many spots can leave an almost bald area.