Dubbing OEG combs/ wattles?

[DominaPullorum]

Hi all!
I just bought a standard OEG cock for showing next year. He is not dubbed yet. I was wondering, how do you do this? I don't want to hurt him, but I know it must be done. He's about 6 months old. Thanks!

 

[Lollipop]

Dubbing Advice - How To Dubb A Rooster. For Show Fowl, Gamefowl and OEG's
Chickens - Dubbing Tips For Show Fowl - OEG's

I've dubbed hundreds of OEs and gamefowl and the only part of dubbing I look forward to is the way they look when they're all healed, it changes their appearance dramatically. All you will need is some SHARP scissors or dubbing scissors, something to wrap the rooster in ( a slightly damp towel works good ), blood stop powder ( just in case ), a roll of paper towels, alcohol and a clean bucket of cool water. Clean the scissors and wipe them down with the alcohol, snugly wrap the rooster in the damp towel and if your lucky enough to have a good helper have them hold the bird and keep the head still by holding the comb.

I start with the wattles, pull the wattle down stretching slightly and as close the beak as you can starting from the front working your way back towards the earlobe, remove the wattle getting ALL folds and wrinkles. When the wattle is removed go to the earlobe and pinch up all you can with your off hand, WATCH HIS EAR and remove as much as you can. Repeat the procedure on the other side. I try to leave a thin strip of skin between where the wattles were, if you don't it'll look like you cut his throat, But it's OK, it'll heal. Now the comb, take your time and decide how much to leave, too little or too much and the bird will not look as good as he could have. These little roosters have a natural line that runs horizontally in their comb, use that as a guide ( I usually cut slightly above the line ).

The first thing I remove is the back part of the comb ( the blade ), cutting as close to the comb's base as you can, cut it off ( straight up and down ). Then starting at the front ( some start from the back ) as close to the beak as you can begin making the cut ( some like a straight cut, some like a slightly curved cut ). KEEP IN MIND YOU CAN'T PUT IT BACK IF YOU CUT TOO MUCH OFF. When you've completed cutting you should have a point at the back, round it off, slightly. Look him over real good to see if you need to go back and trim anything you may have missed. A good clean dubbing job makes a lot of difference at the shows.TIPS,DON'T DUB IN HOT WEATHER, their blood is thin and the game birds bleed a lot heavier.

I dub my roosters at night but early enough that I can watch them for a few hours. They are easier to catch and they settle down quicker in the dark.Sometimes you'll have one that bleeds a little heavy, when that happens I pull a downy feather from under his vent and put it over the comb and sprinkle the blood stop powder over it.TAKE YOUR TIME, it's a chore you'll want to be over and done with, BUT, poor dubbing hurts your chances at the shows.

 

[MRNpoultry]

Here is some good information about dubbing - http://ultimatefowl.wordpress.com/2009/01/22/dubbing/

 

[Attack Chicken]

I was just about to post the same thing to! Thanks for the information! How old should the bird be when you dub them?

 

[prariechiken]

Make sure they are finished growing. Everyone does it a little differently, we normally wait until they are at least 6-8 months old.

 

[ChuckenGirl]

Quote:
that is excellent advice!
my father and I dubbed i'd say 10 chickens so far and compared to how much you have done it's not alot... but I do look forward to what they look like when they heal, we also have oeg all standards, one little cocky bantam haha. but this is excellent info... viva la dubbing oeg chickens. haha =]

 

[DominaPullorum]

Thanks everyone for the responses! The link to the visual guide is helping. I haven't dubbed him yet...hopefully sono when I get my courage up. He's a ginger red..sooooo pretty

Should Phoenix chickens be dubbed for show as well? I'm planning on ordering around 10.

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

I dont think Pheonix chickens have to be dubbed. I could be wrong though. 6 to 8 months old is usually when I dubb my OEGs too.

 

[MoodyChicken]

Dub as quickly as safely possible. Be sure to have a frined secure him tight (cut a small hole in a sock and stick his head through that). And when you dub the wattles don't pull on them, just lift them up and cut with the curve of the jaw. You'll remove as minimal tissue as possible (but they'll still look great for show), and they'll heal twice as quickly because the wound isn't as big. Also, dub at night when it's cold; they won't bleed as much. Um... put some flour on the wounds after you're done, and treat with neosporin when it scabs.

It's really not that difficult, but be sure you have sharp, curved scissors.

 

[Mourningdove]

May I ask a couple of questions?? 1st what & why is the main reason one would dub a rooster? 2nd I heard a rumer that dubbing them would make them nicer in personality? Sounds strange but I needed to ask as

and I have a gorgeous bbred rooster myself and love his looks as he is undubbed!