Hi Rooova,
Sorry not Sue, actually Lee.
I'll work through your question 1 by 1.
To help fill in my background, I have had experience with a variety of breeds both bantam and large, soft and hard feather over +25years breeding and showing. Unfortunately what works for me and my methods, may not work for you. But very happy to spread the knowledge.
Age at Pen training.
I find that there in no use in trying to pen train males until they are close to being mature and about 6-8 weeks for being ready to show. I find they come to hand a lot easier (e.g.RIR's) when they are ready to show interest in the girls. They are always keen to see you. Tip: once a week allow the have their wicked way with a cull hen or pullet. They soon learn to come to the from of the pen when they see another bird going past. I handle each bird several times in the morning and afternoon, just as a judge does, open wings, check feet etc. then when you please the bird back in the pen, stand him up in the best stance you a can make them that is suitable for the breed.
Females. they should be left to run until about 2 weeks prior to the show. You need to ahndle the birds as per the males above. The girls tend to go stale quicker than the males, after the show put them back into the run. This will allow her to freshen up. she will remember the training when the next show comes around. The movement from run to training pen to run will generally stop her laying. Not a bad thing.
Once the above females have been trained they should only be penned after they are washed (1 week prior to show). In this week week will get back into the swing of being a show bird and get a custom to being handled again.
The males are generally kept in the training pens and they get a day about in a run by them selves. All is good while the social order remains, once you disturb it all changes. This change makes returning a bird all but impossible without some blood letting. Not a good option for you show birds.
I generally have a set routine, but change the order of who gets handled first. Also sometimes I handle then feed then handle.
Remember a hungry bird is a frendly bird, within reason. if you have a bird that is a little flightly, try to give them a little extra atention. However some just never get better, in these cases just let them out and save yourself the frustration, they seldom change..
I hope this helps.
Rhode Red