I work with FFA and 4H kids in a couple of states and some are more concerned with handling skills and poultry knowledge which is they need to demonstrate during an examination.
Others, do need Standard bred bird. We gladly help the youngsters with Barred Rocks and Rhode Island Reds. That is one of our greatest joys. One of the difficulties sometimes is simply hatching enough chicks out in January thru early March to meet the deadline. Sometimes, the youth programs insist the bird be 6 months old at youth show division or fair time in early August. It's tough meeting that requirement.
Others, do need Standard bred bird. We gladly help the youngsters with Barred Rocks and Rhode Island Reds. That is one of our greatest joys. One of the difficulties sometimes is simply hatching enough chicks out in January thru early March to meet the deadline. Sometimes, the youth programs insist the bird be 6 months old at youth show division or fair time in early August. It's tough meeting that requirement.