Another Blue Ribbon!

I'm blatantly bragging today - my girls' eggs won another blue ribbon at our county fair - the second year in a row. There was a LOT of competition this year - about 10 entries, so this one is really special. One of the entrants asked me my secret. Not sure I have one, but here's what I make sure of in case any of you want to enter your fair's "Open Class" category.
1. Presentation is important, but don't "over present" your eggs. A simple basket or bowl will do, but color coordination and a bit of thought is important. One of the entrants put her eggs in a very nicely decorated basket with flowers and vines, etc., but judges don't seem to be impressed with that.

2. Follow the rules. Our open class has two egg categories: white and non-white, so don't put brown with white or Easter eggers with white, etc. Also, our fair requires 5 samples, enter the exact number required. 

3. Spend some time grading them for consistent color and size. I start collecting my Fair Eggs about 3 weeks before, getting just the right ones.

4. Make sure they are clean. Seriously. One of the entrants this year didn't and the visual was, well, not too good.

5. Finally, have fun - and know that this sort of thing is a bit addictive!

My sex links, I have black and red - this year I added a couple of brown sex links, they haven't started laying yet. One of my red sexlinks, Cleo, specializes in this color.

Here she is as a baby, already spoiled, and as adult with her eggs, as compared to a white egg. She is quite special.

Cleo is a bit over two, I expect this will be her last summer laying, but as with all my girls I'll let her just hang out and relax until she flies off to the big Hen House in the sky.

yes, I know a lady whose hen was still laying after 12 years (not often, but an egg or two a week). I love my sex links, I have 11 of them now and I wouldn't have anything else. No Roos, they are so easy going and lay HUGE eggs. I'm a happy camper.