If you have not already, you should be adding greens to the diet of the young fowl. Alphalfa, bean sprouts, grass and weeds. Wash them first if you pull them up from the yard. A small amount daily will increase oil production for the feathers, color in the shanks, and overall health.

A complete diet for the young stock is a must. Not a lay feed. Many people make the mistake of using a lay feed or all purpose feed for the young chickens. Ducks can handle an all purpose feed and still produce beautiful feather quality. Turkeys require higher protein as do chickens. Exhibition poultry are not designed for egg production. If you can not find a good grow feed, I usually recommend you get a turkey maintainance feed. The better protein and balanced diet will produce a healthy feather.

Seperate the young show hopefulls now. This gives you about 10 weeks to prepare them for show. Sometimes the fine points are the tie breakers. Those little squabbles over feed, companionship, and places that are the best to lay, dust, or sleep can distroy those points.

Make sure the young have plenty enough room to run and exercize. Keeping them pend 24/7 now is not necessary. Usually you want to do that about 1 week maximum to 3 days minimum. Keep pests away from the young fowl. Mice will chew the feathers off, lice will put little holes in your young birds feathers. Males comeing into maturity attempting to breed will break feathers, damaging the looks.

Good food, exercize, clean fresh water ~ the necessities of poultry. Also keep in mind - sunlight is important. Dusting is important.
Just remember to keep it clean and pest free. This month is a breeze.
Next month in October the nitty gritty starts. The judging, the comparing, the choosing. Getting ready. October / November.......... then the show.