- Jul 24, 2013
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Here are my comments:
White Cochin cock: Personally, I wouldn't show this bird. He is brassy (yellowish in color) instead of a pure white. Also, I'd like to see more width to him and more of a cushion. His tail should be rounder without such stiff feathers.
Millie Fleur D'Uccle pullet: I'm not great at judging these, but I would like to see more evenness of mottling and a more intense shade of base color. She needs more white and black mottling.
Americana pullet: This bird should not be shown. It is not a recognized variety of Ameraucana. It appears to be a "Easter Egger", which is a hatchery quality bird that lays colored eggs and has some characteristics of true Ameraucanas, but doesn't fit a color variety and lacks other important characteristic. If you took that to an APA sanctioned show, it would be disqualified.
White Silkie pullet: She's an okay bird for a fair show, but if you took her to a show with more competition (such as many open club poultry shows), she would have a harder time competing successfully. I'd like a bigger crest and fluffier feathering. It is hard to judge on type from the photos.
White Frizzle Cochin pullet: In my opinion, she's the best bird here. I find it hard to judge Frizzles, but she seems to have decent Cochin type and good clean color. Evenness of frizzling is very important.
If you were to show these birds, I suggest getting an American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection.This book is a must-have for exhibitors, since it describes the correct body type and color of all breeds of poultry. It also lists disqualifications. Before showing any of these birds, you'd want to look closely for disqualifications that are hard to see in photos. For example, I would be sure to check the White Frizzle Cochin for a side sprig on her comb. I recently saw a very nice Black Frizzle Cochin large fowl disqualified for a side sprig. You'd also want to make sure that the correct toes were feathered on the D'Uccle and the Silkie.
All these birds (except for the "Americana") are showable. However, just because a bird can be shown doesn't mean it should be shown. Keep in mind thought that even if you don't have great quality birds, it is still very educational to attend a poultry show. You'll learn more about the breed standards and about other breeds. You can even talk with other judges and breeders to find some better quality birds.I'd highly recommend attending some!
White Cochin cock: Personally, I wouldn't show this bird. He is brassy (yellowish in color) instead of a pure white. Also, I'd like to see more width to him and more of a cushion. His tail should be rounder without such stiff feathers.
Millie Fleur D'Uccle pullet: I'm not great at judging these, but I would like to see more evenness of mottling and a more intense shade of base color. She needs more white and black mottling.
Americana pullet: This bird should not be shown. It is not a recognized variety of Ameraucana. It appears to be a "Easter Egger", which is a hatchery quality bird that lays colored eggs and has some characteristics of true Ameraucanas, but doesn't fit a color variety and lacks other important characteristic. If you took that to an APA sanctioned show, it would be disqualified.
White Silkie pullet: She's an okay bird for a fair show, but if you took her to a show with more competition (such as many open club poultry shows), she would have a harder time competing successfully. I'd like a bigger crest and fluffier feathering. It is hard to judge on type from the photos.
White Frizzle Cochin pullet: In my opinion, she's the best bird here. I find it hard to judge Frizzles, but she seems to have decent Cochin type and good clean color. Evenness of frizzling is very important.
If you were to show these birds, I suggest getting an American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection.This book is a must-have for exhibitors, since it describes the correct body type and color of all breeds of poultry. It also lists disqualifications. Before showing any of these birds, you'd want to look closely for disqualifications that are hard to see in photos. For example, I would be sure to check the White Frizzle Cochin for a side sprig on her comb. I recently saw a very nice Black Frizzle Cochin large fowl disqualified for a side sprig. You'd also want to make sure that the correct toes were feathered on the D'Uccle and the Silkie.
All these birds (except for the "Americana") are showable. However, just because a bird can be shown doesn't mean it should be shown. Keep in mind thought that even if you don't have great quality birds, it is still very educational to attend a poultry show. You'll learn more about the breed standards and about other breeds. You can even talk with other judges and breeders to find some better quality birds.I'd highly recommend attending some!
