Preparing for a Rodent Show
Show days are always fun exciting day. Here is a list of things to be mindful off when preparing and getting yourself organised before the day of the show.
Hand in your entries before the cut-off date.
The cutoff date will be listed on the Upcoming Events page and in our Facebook group. Entries or changes to entries submitted after this date will not be accepted. Visit 'How to enter' for more information.
Have a carry cage ready for the day.
You will need a temporary cage or converted tub for the day to hold your rodents in while they aren't being judged. Something small enough to carry around but also roomy enough for the rodents to hang out in for the day.
Have show tubs & breeders choice litter ready for the day.
When your rodent is ready to be judged, you place the rodent in a small show tub and take it to the steward. Our standardised show tubs are Hagen Pal Pens. These are for sale or hire by the Treasurer in the morning at shows. The 'mini' is suitable for mice, the 'small' is suitable for young & most female rats, and the 'medium' is suitable for larger female rats and male rats.
Please make sure you fill your show tubs with Back2Nature litter. It is a requirement to use Back2Nature as this is our standardised show tub bedding. This is to make sure the judge's cannot differentiate between who owns each animal.
Mite/lice treat your rodents at least 48 hours before the show.
Animals with lice or mites will be disqualified and are required to be quarantined at the back of the hall. This is to prevent the spread of mites at the show.
Health check your rodents.
Check for things like lumps & bumps, discharge around the nose & eyes, and most of all for breathing abnormalities (any odd sounds could be a symptom of respiratory distress). It's good practice to double check your animals the night before the show as sometimes unexpected problems can pop up. Unhealthy animals will be disqualified.
Bathe rodents if needed.
It might be a good idea to give your animals (particularly white rats) a quick bath or wipe over with warm water a few days to a week before the show. For mice usually a wipe over with a damp cloth will suffice. An animal with a healthy clean coat and tail will score better in Condition than an animal with staining or marks. To get marks off of a rats tail you can gently brush with a toothbrush & warm water. If you would like to use shampoo, No Tears Baby Shampoo or animal shampoo is a good bet.
Think about bringing an object for the raffle table.
This object can be either for the animals or for the hoomans! The more people that bring something, the more there is to be won.
Bring money to spend!
All members are welcome to bring items to sell at shows and there is a canteen available to purchase food and drink throughout the event. Please bring cash as most stall holders and the canteen only accept cash.
Hand in your entries before the cut-off date.
The cutoff date will be listed on the Upcoming Events page and in our Facebook group. Entries or changes to entries submitted after this date will not be accepted. Visit 'How to enter' for more information.
Have a carry cage ready for the day.
You will need a temporary cage or converted tub for the day to hold your rodents in while they aren't being judged. Something small enough to carry around but also roomy enough for the rodents to hang out in for the day.
Have show tubs & breeders choice litter ready for the day.
When your rodent is ready to be judged, you place the rodent in a small show tub and take it to the steward. Our standardised show tubs are Hagen Pal Pens. These are for sale or hire by the Treasurer in the morning at shows. The 'mini' is suitable for mice, the 'small' is suitable for young & most female rats, and the 'medium' is suitable for larger female rats and male rats.
Please make sure you fill your show tubs with Back2Nature litter. It is a requirement to use Back2Nature as this is our standardised show tub bedding. This is to make sure the judge's cannot differentiate between who owns each animal.
Mite/lice treat your rodents at least 48 hours before the show.
Animals with lice or mites will be disqualified and are required to be quarantined at the back of the hall. This is to prevent the spread of mites at the show.
Health check your rodents.
Check for things like lumps & bumps, discharge around the nose & eyes, and most of all for breathing abnormalities (any odd sounds could be a symptom of respiratory distress). It's good practice to double check your animals the night before the show as sometimes unexpected problems can pop up. Unhealthy animals will be disqualified.
Bathe rodents if needed.
It might be a good idea to give your animals (particularly white rats) a quick bath or wipe over with warm water a few days to a week before the show. For mice usually a wipe over with a damp cloth will suffice. An animal with a healthy clean coat and tail will score better in Condition than an animal with staining or marks. To get marks off of a rats tail you can gently brush with a toothbrush & warm water. If you would like to use shampoo, No Tears Baby Shampoo or animal shampoo is a good bet.
Think about bringing an object for the raffle table.
This object can be either for the animals or for the hoomans! The more people that bring something, the more there is to be won.
Bring money to spend!
All members are welcome to bring items to sell at shows and there is a canteen available to purchase food and drink throughout the event. Please bring cash as most stall holders and the canteen only accept cash.
