Most/Least commonly exhibited chickens at shows and other APA Questions

[RuffIedFeathers]

Hello!

Is there any sort of list that ranks which chicken breeds are exhibited the most/least at shows?

Also, from my understanding, you can show chickens that are not part of the APA list? (I really like deathlayers, for example).

Are there any guides when it comes to breeding birds that don't have a SOP or are not part of the APA?

Thank you!

 

[Amer]

The APA doesn’t really keep a list, but there is a census that gives you a good picture. https://livestockconservancy.org/heritage-breeds/conservation-priority-list/
You can show chickens outside the APA list, they just can’t advance beyond best of breed. It provides good publicity. Pencilled Hamburgs are pretty similar to Deathlayers though, if you want more competition.
You can look up proposed breed standards on the internet or write your own for a guideline if there isn’t one.

 

[Amer]

Good silver pencilled Hamburgs are very rare though. Gold ones are a bit more common. I believe Rik Deihs has some.

They aren’t the same color on the males. Silver Campines are though.

Deathlayers are also very beautiful though, so if that’s what you want, I get it.

 

[TwistedTayy]

Nankins are super uncommon. Even show breeders are focusing on building genetic diversity first, and apa standards second.

 

[RuffIedFeathers]

Good silver pencilled Hamburgs are very rare though. Gold ones are a bit more common. I believe Rik Deihs has some.View attachment 3263036View attachment 3263037
They aren’t the same color on the males. Silver Campines are though.

Deathlayers are also very beautiful though, so if that’s what you want, I get it.

Thank you! Yeah, I was actually looking at both Campines and Hamburgs, since they are similar in appearance to Deathlayers. Aside from looks, do you know any key differences that might help me decide if I want to go with Campines or Hamburgs? Do you know anything about their personalities? I haven't had or seen any in real life. I definitely need to do more research on both of those breeds.

 

[Amer]

Thank you! Yeah, I was actually looking at both Campines and Hamburgs, since they are similar in appearance to Deathlayers. Aside from looks, do you know any key differences that might help me decide if I want to go with Campines or Hamburgs? Do you know anything about their personalities? I haven't had or seen any in real life. I definitely need to do more research on both of those breeds.

No, I don’t.

 

[Amer]

These people do though : https://www.backyardchickens.com/reviews/hamburg.10888/reviews
https://www.backyardchickens.com/reviews/campine.10886/reviews

 

[MROO]

DD took a pair of her Nankin cockerels to our County Fair a few years ago. Our flockmaster won Best in Show over about 400 birds. It was so neat to see the breed recognized!

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

This is a fun thread! Off the top of my head I can think of a few APA recognized varieties I happen to know are either extinct or simply not being shown. There are no LF white Houdans, for example; LF white Faverolles are nearly wiped out and I'm not sure there's any strong flocks and certainly none being shown; and RC white Dorkings are in similar rough shape though there are at least several small flocks around.

I would love to hear more from everyone!

 

[Amer]

Update, the APA is paying attention to reported numbers at shows and put them in their yearbook, at least from the shows that actually took this data.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/amers-d’anvers.1421505/post-26195358