Tips for getting back into showing and breeding poultry.

If you were to ask specific questions it would be easier to respond. Your topic is so broad it's hard to know where to begin.

BTW-showing 1000 different breeds isn't an option anyway-there aren't that many.

A copy of the Standard is a must & 2010 is the newest edition. Depending on what you plan to raise an older, used copy may fit your needs just as well. Some new breeds/varieties have been added in recent years but for those that have been in the Standard for awhile the descriptions have not changed.

Pick the breed/variety that appeals to you most. They're all potential show winners. You might consider attending a couple of shows to look at birds before making a selection.

Not sure how old you are but I'm not too old to show & I know a number of people who show who are considerably older than I am. For many of us it has been a life long hobby.

Since you are planning on just bantams, the Bantam Standard is a 2011 edition.  Either or both would be good investments.  Consider joining the breed clubs, and definitely check out the breed threads for each breed in which you are interested.  Poultry Press is also a good resource.

It is also best to invest in an adult pair or trio of the best quality birds as you can afford.

Leg bands are for identification. There are a many different kinds for different purposes. Some are different colors while others can have numbers/letters written/punched on them. There are other means of identification as well, those being toe-punching and wing bands.

I see you are in Arkansas, there is a show in Fayetteville the first weekend in November at the Washington, County Fairgrounds.  It is a good show with some very good quality birds shown there and you'll probably see some very good cochin bantams and maybe even a few Japanese bantams as well.  There is a much larger show held in Shawnee, OK on the 2nd weekend of December where you'll see 25-125 japanese bantams and 50-100 cochin bantams depending on if a breed club holds a national meet or not.  This show typically runs 2800 birds total so there will lots for you to look at.

I certainly recommend getting a copy of the APA and ABA Standards.  Study your breeds and selected varieties within those breeds and when you get to the show talk to as many people showing your chosen breeds/varieties as you can.  I'll be at both shows and will give you all the knowledge I have on the two breeds you have listed.

Keep a note book with you and take notes as you can, it is often hard to remember everything from a conversation weeks later but if you write it down you have it forever.

I wish you all the best in your showing endeavor.

Blessings,

Bo