Bird is Close to the Standard

If you feel that the bird is close to the standard, that it's large and healthy looking, it might be a good candidate.

You can supplement a bird's diet with items that are good for the condition of the feathers, such as hardboiled egg and a little olive oil on the seed, but go light on the oil.

You should only take a lovebird to a show when it is in perfect condition and when it has been trained to know what to expect from a show.

Never take a lovebird to a show when it is ill, molting, nesting, The first thing to do to find out if a lovebird is suitable for showing is to compare it to the lovebird standard.

About six weeks to a month before the show, you can pull any feathers that are broken or otherwise damaged. Be conservative about pulling feathers, however, as this can lead to bleeding.

Three weeks before the show, begin misting your bird every day to encourage preening. Three days before the show you can add a few drops of glycerin to the water to provide a shine.