Thinking of Getting into Showing

LadyVictorian

Songster
Dec 22, 2016
456
66
106
Minnesota
I grew up breeding and showing Arabian horses in halter and later showing Saddelbreds before switching to a much smaller animal the betta fish which I also breed and showed for some time but I have really considered moving to chickens instead as horses are too expensive and showing fish is difficult because of constantly shipping fish and fish dying in transit thus losing me fish and money. Chickens seem like the happy medium for me but the problem being I don't have anyone around me to 'mentor' me into showing and breeding chickens. I guess it's hard to say 'teach me everything you know in a single thread so you don't need to do that. However what I do ask is where I should start. I have silkies already and actually really love the breed. I would love to start with them and eventually go to Sultan's and Polish as well.

Already have 4 silkies from a great local breeder with beautiful birds and considering getting more down the road, perhaps for my birthday in June. I have a lovely growing white rooster and might get some white hens and perhaps some blacks as well. I also have a buff rooster and a buff hen.

My main thing is what steps I need to take before I can go enter my birds into shows. I know for Betta Fish we have something called the IBC you sign up to and pay a yearly membership fee and get the yearly book on what is show standard for the fish, the tail types, color types etc. Every year so long as you had paid your membership fee you got the book with updates and changes in the shows, show schedules across your country, and monthly magazines on new information etc. Is there something like this for chickens as well? Also you were unable to enter shows unless you had your IBC card/membership.
 
I do not think you need any memberships to show chickens, unless a specific show requires it (for example, in April we will have the Delmarva Poultry Show held by the Delmarva Poultry Fanciers Association and they may require membership but I don't think so). The standards are published by the APA http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/store.htm You can buy a copy of it, but if you know for sure which breed you want to get into, often the association for that breed will have the info on their website, or an enthusiast/breeder will have it on theirs.

As far as finding shows, you can start with Poultry Show Central but that information is not always kept up to date. It sometimes still lists last years show dates, and many shows will be missing. You can also google your state or county + "poultry shows" and some stuff may come up. Other sources : the local thread here on BYC, and local Facebook poultry pages, and Facebook groups for your chosen breed.
 
Thank you much. I will probably still buy the APA book since I loved having the books for the breeding standards of betta fish on hand. It was always great to breed a new tail type or color pattern. I know I want to start with silkies since I find them to be so beautiful and charming but I would later love to do more breeds as well.

Shall also start looking up some shows, can people go to the chicken shows to watch or is it more like betta shows where only judges and owners can be in the room?
 
Thank you much. I will probably still buy the APA book since I loved having the books for the breeding standards of betta fish on hand. It was always great to breed a new tail type or color pattern. I know I want to start with silkies since I find them to be so beautiful and charming but I would later love to do more breeds as well.

Shall also start looking up some shows, can people go to the chicken shows to watch or is it more like betta shows where only judges and owners can be in the room?
As far as I know, anyone can go. The one I mentioned before (Delmarva) is only a little over an hour from me and I am planning on going but not showing. They encourage it on the website, so it must be okay.

I know at the county and probably state fairs anyone can look at the birds, same as the goats, pigs, cattle, etc.

ETA I did watch that movie Chicken People but you really couldn't tell who was allowed at the shows.
 
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I've been to a few shows, they're open to the public. They clear the aisle when judging is taking place, but other than that it's open.

I have to say, how do you know there's no one around you to learn from? I'd look into some Silkie groups, or the breed association and see who is around you. You never know who might be in a hour's drive from you, that covers a lot of ground.
 
Good to hear! Just a few bits of advice...

I was blessed enough when I started out to have old timers who knew their stuff take time and help me out. The show bird community is full of guys/gals like that, so don't be afraid to ask questions!

I'd start by looking up breeders in your area. The APA website has a list of breeders by state, I believe.

I'd also buy the "Standard of Perfection". It's the poultry exhibitor's bible! The first sections give you everything you need to know about general disqualifications, faults, point systems, and definitions of any useful terms. Buy that book!!! (Amazon)

Remember there's a breed/variety for everyone. Keep it simple and stick to 1or 2 if you want to be effective and really learn. Be careful in selecting breeds to suit your needs. For example, if space is limited, then a large breed like Brahmas or Australorps, or long tailed breeds like Phoenix or Yokohamas may not be right for you.

Be persistent! it's not likely you'll take home grand champion in your first show. Be patient and let yourself learn. Learn to ask what's wrong with your birds too. Often times people get defensive when someone offers constructive criticism. Take it! Use it! It's good!

Of all the other thousand pieces of advice I could tell you, I'll say one last thing... DO NOT EVER BRING A SICK OR MITE INFESTED BIRD TO A SHOW! That's a cardinal sin. Clean water and constant access to feed in paramount! Clean pens, and dust baths are important too. Keep your birds in top shape and learn how to care for them. Unhealthy birds should be left at home. Better safe than sorry!

PM me if you have any questions. I don't know much, but what I do know, I'm willing to share!
 
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Been getting a lot of helpful information and looking to start going to a few of my local bird shows to perhaps find some other people who show silkies since this is really the breed I love and the breed I want to start with. I'm thinking secondary might be showgirls (can you show showgirls yet or are they not yet a recognized breed?)

Also do you have to be an NPIP farm in order to show? I have been looking into doing it regardless but I have to wait until my next shipment of chicks are older.
 
NPIP certification isn't necessary

Silkies and showgirls aren't my forte but I've often used them instead of incubators
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