Let's talk dubbing

[wrex watson]

So, It is the begining of February and fair is in April. I have a black old English hen. They said that for English game birds, that you have to get them dubbed, well, I wanted to know if that only applies to roosters. Also, if it did apply to hens, does it also go for old English, is there a difference between old English and old English game? Thanks

 

[lazy gardener]

Personally, I'd not dub any bird. But... I'm sure there are those who will.

 

[azygous]

What is it you need to know about dubbing? They insist that there's no feeling in the comb, but my chickens have indicated to me that there's plenty of feeling and love having their combs and wattles rubbed. I wouldn't dub unless there was a compelling reason for it.

I have only once performed a partial dubbing on a SLW hen who, when she was maturing, grew a rooster-size comb with a long "tail". All the other hens picked on her and grabbed her comb tail, ripping it from her scalp. It would only just heal, and they would rip it halfway off her head again.

I decided it was the reason she was being picked on so I trimmed the tail off close to her head so it wouldn't stick out anymore. It sure appeared to me that it was a painful process for her to endure, but it did solve her problem. After the comb healed, she was never picked on again.

For the life of me, I don't understand why dubbing is supposed to enhance a rooster's appearance, and I've never heard of dubbing hens for showing at fairs.

This is only my opinion and not meant to be a judgement on people who show chickens and believe in dubbing, so please don't take offense because none is intended.

 

[centrarchid]

Dubbing I do but not on all. Not on hens. They do not like it although indications of pain end as quickly as procedure is finished. A solid reason for it in my location is as a preventative for frostbite. Frostbite of comb and wattles can lead to complications that are likely more problematic than the brief discomfort of the dubbing process. Dubbing can result in mortality although that is very infrequent. Mortality related to complications from frostbite more likely.

 

[donrae]

I don't think the hens are dubbed. I'd take centrarchid's word on which birds to consider dubbing.

 

[centrarchid]

Here is what I get when birds not dubbed. With some I want those combs intact because the birds are used for educational purposes where wattles, feathers and spurs are all points of interest. Problems most likely to occur with birds possessing large (beefy) single combs. Three years ago after a blizzard.

Two years ago after everything healed up.

He was slow as his body fought off the infection. This how I keep most during the winter with each game in its own pen. Also some American Dominiques so kept and they have very little trouble with frost of comb and wattles. Wind breaks help with younger birds but do not prevent frostbite of combs. I have to be careful with the wind breaks because they can make wind chill worse when wind comes in from wrong direction with respect to how windbreak is positioned. Wind breaks can also cause pens to role. The games in male side need to be isolated from each other as adults and maintenance on hens is easier with respect to feathering and nutrition also when isolated. [IMG]http://cdn.backyardchickens.co...31401_BIRDSIN8INCHSNOW2013MARCH24.jpeg[/IMG] This is the pre-frostbite look (not same bird). I intended to keep him frostbite-free with an intact comb by housing him in the barn but his comb got beefy. Big and beefy combs are hard to protect so next round I will be investing in making so environment simply stays warm. Next year I will try to provide a heated roost in addition to the barn location to see is the situation improves. Heat lamp has worked but heat generally wasted on a single bird as you do not want it close enough for him to catch all the radiation from the lamp.

 

[aart]

So, It is the begining of February and fair is in April. I have a black old English hen. They said that for English game birds, that you have to get them dubbed, well, I wanted to know if that only applies to roosters. Also, if it did apply to hens, does it also go for old English, is there a difference between old English and old English game? Thanks

So you're talking about dubbing for show birds at your fair?
You'd have to ask the show authorities what the rules are.

ETA: You might want to post this question in the Exhibition forum.

 

[centrarchid]

The dubbing applies only to roosters. I do not like idea of doing it only for looks. Process is not pleasant for anyone and provides no physiological benefits for the show pens.

 

[Old Rando]

The APA and ABA require males of the breeds Modern game, Old English games and American game of a year or older to be dubbed for show. If your are not showing them then it does not matter. Hens should not be dubbed.

Old English is the same as Old English Game.

 

[Momagain1]

How old is too old to dub an OEG rooster?

We have one that needed to be dubbed, it wasn't dubbed and now we are showing him- however he needs dubbed to show.

He is about 1 yr old now.