We all want to win, don't we? Or at least place. Assuming you have raised your birds right from day one and they are now fully finished in feather, you're ready to work on the little extras that count. Health and vigor go without saying. Your females should be just ready to drop their first egg. They are in bloom. Males should be cocky but not mean.

You should have cages to put some in so as to check type and carriage as they will look (hopefully) in the show. Rosecombs are notorious for crossing you up in this respect!

Number one is cleanliness. I don't like to wash Rosecombs all over if I can help it. If you must, do it about five days before the show. Usually a sponge, toothbrush, and your fingers will do the job. Use the toothbrush on the comb, face, nostrils, legs, and feet. The sponge will clean wings, tail, and any odd spots. Your fingers can work out a lot of manure next to the vent if it is dry. Make sure there are no lice or mites. Check under the hackle as well as the rear.

Number two is feathers. If the hackle still has casings here and there, work them off with your fingers. If there are a lot, try a fine tooth comb. Also check under the tail. If you washed the bird all over a little oil might be in order. I prefer to rub it into my hands and then smooth the bird's plumage. Sometimes light dust on the wings can be removed with a baby brush. You don't want any broken feathers or any nicks out of the tail coverts or sickles. Check for red in the male hackle; if only one or two pull them.

Number three brings us to lobes. They should be white as possible. I like to take a damp face cloth and wipe them off, then run white hand cream into them, at least once a day for several days before the show. If they are damaged, start sooner than that and use zinc oxide for about three days. This will peel them off and then you can go to the hand cream method.

Number four. Trim the tip of the upper beak, if it extends beyond the lower one. Use nail clippers. Check toe nails on old birds and trim if necessary, being careful not to cut so far back as to cause bleeding.

Now you are ready to go to the show and hope for the best, but if you don't win you have become really well acquainted with your birds and their personality traits and will have a lot of fun and satisfaction of knowing you did your best for them.