Best breed choice for 4-H?

[Mosey2003]

I guess it may vary by location too about hatchery vs. breeder, as Libby said. I know I see FB posts around here talking about 4h being very competitive, quality-wise. Probably be best to talk to the 4h leader.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

I showed rabbits in my youth, and what I know is that you have to find a breed they love. Most people wouldn't pick out Checkered Giants (they are huge) for a tiny ten year old girl, but I was fearless, they were what I loved & what I was passionate about. It's fair time around here, you could take her and let her look at the chickens and see what stands out to her. Seeing them in person is so much different than seeing pictures. Within reason of course, they still have to fit in your criteria too. Once you narrow down the breeds I would recommend checking the breed club websites for local breeders, and make sure you get from an NPIP certified one. My twelve year old really wants a chicken to show next year, so we've been trying to navigate this too. He has his heart set on a French Black Copper Marans rooster, I'm not 100% sure why, but it's what he loves.

 

[New2Chicks97]

Orpingtons are really calm and good for showmanship. Normally bantams are used for it, but I used my standard sized Orpington for showmanship and won because the judge was impressed with the calmness. Hatchery birds do in fact work for 4-H as long as you keep good care of them. It’s all about experience not expensive with 4-H. Or at least that’s my mindset. There are ways to make a bird look great no matter its price. Breeds I recommend besides Orpingtons are Cochins, Brahmas, and Partridge Rocks. Cochins and Brahmas are feather legged so there is a little more care involved to keep them nice. Bantams are also fun and there are many many variations. A good hatchery is Mcmurray Hatchery. All of the birds are purebred (except for the meat varieties) and I’ve had two of my birds from them earn Champion and Reserve Champion Standard bird of show.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I haven’t heard of McMurray so if we can’t find what we want locally then I will see if they have what we want. We have 2 Buff Orpingtons but they really aren’t keen on being touched or handled. They will come near me if I have food but won’t even eat out of my hand or get near enough that I could touch them so show birds they aren’t. I think we are going to have to start with new babies and have them separate from the main group so that my daughter can spend a lot of time with them and handle them a lot. We tried to handle our current girls a lot when they were little but with 10 of them it was hard to spread the love evenly.

 

[New2Chicks97]

I showed rabbits in my youth, and what I know is that you have to find a breed they love. Most people wouldn't pick out Checkered Giants (they are huge) for a tiny ten year old girl, but I was fearless, they were what I loved & what I was passionate about. It's fair time around here, you could take her and let her look at the chickens and see what stands out to her. Seeing them in person is so much different than seeing pictures. Within reason of course, they still have to fit in your criteria too. Once you narrow down the breeds I would recommend checking the breed club websites for local breeders, and make sure you get from an NPIP certified one. My twelve year old really wants a chicken to show next year, so we've been trying to navigate this too. He has his heart set on a French Black Copper Marans rooster, I'm not 100% sure why, but it's what he loves.

I agree that desire plays a big part in being invested in 4-H and showing. I showed goats. We started off with Nubian diary goats and those weren’t my thing but then I found Pygmy goats and loved them.

It is good that you son knows what he wants. My daughter likes a little bit of everything. Her favorites of the chickens we have are the Easter Eggers that is why I was thinking Ameraucanas because they do have a similar look. She is a big 10 year old so the size of the chicken wouldn’t be an obstacle or issue.

I know at least two of the breeders locally have said they are APA & NPIP.

Mostly I just want my daughter to have a good experience and enjoy her chickens.

 

[LibbyR]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I haven’t heard of McMurray so if we can’t find what we want locally then I will see if they have what we want. We have 2 Buff Orpingtons but they really aren’t keen on being touched or handled. They will come near me if I have food but won’t even eat out of my hand or get near enough that I could touch them so show birds they aren’t. I think we are going to have to start with new babies and have them separate from the main group so that my daughter can spend a lot of time with them and handle them a lot. We tried to handle our current girls a lot when they were little but with 10 of them it was hard to spread the love evenly.

Definetly have to work with them from chick through till your fair/show and every year keep at it. I forgot to mention that. If they aren’t worked with they’ll be bad. But they do have good composition once worked with. That’s all part of 4-H though. Or at least it should be.

 

[New2Chicks97]

I guess it may vary by location too about hatchery vs. breeder, as Libby said. I know I see FB posts around here talking about 4h being very competitive, quality-wise. Probably be best to talk to the 4h leader.

I am hoping to talk to the leader of the 4-H group that we are considering. We usually go to the fair here every year. My daughter loves looking at the animals.

 

[FrankPrize]

I’m in FFA and I do showmanship at the county fair every year and I’ve only ever done showmanship with a Partridge Silkie hen and a Gold Duckwing OEGB hen and honestly, OEGB’s (or bantams in general) are great for showmanship, they’re small so they’re easier to maneuver and work with than a standard sized bird. Bantams have personality though so they are likely to not let themselves be posed but they have no problem being worked with. Do not make the mistake of letting your child use a rooster for showmanship— they’re too free spirited and are very capable of wiggling out of a small child’s or a teenager’s hands for that matter. Every single year, there’s a strong and capable kid in senior showmanship with a rooster & every single year, the kid has that rooster jump out of his arms and has to chase that rooster down... in front of the judge. Choose wisely! My besfriend shows her Polish hens and she loves them for showmanship because they literally just stand there so they’re a breeze to pose. Good luck !

 

[New2Chicks97]

I’m in FFA and I do showmanship at the county fair every year and I’ve only ever done showmanship with a Partridge Silkie hen and a Gold Duckwing OEGB hen and honestly, OEGB’s (or bantams in general) are great for showmanship, they’re small so they’re easier to maneuver and work with than a standard sized bird. Bantams have personality though so they are likely to not let themselves be posed but they have no problem being worked with. Do not make the mistake of letting your child use a rooster for showmanship— they’re too free spirited and are very capable of wiggling out of a small child’s or a teenager’s hands for that matter. Every single year, there’s a strong and capable kid in senior showmanship with a rooster & every single year, the kid has that rooster jump out of his arms and has to chase that rooster down... in front of the judge. Choose wisely! My besfriend shows her Polish hens and she loves them for showmanship because they literally just stand there so they’re a breeze to pose. Good luck !

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I was considering letting my daughter look at Silkies. They are absolutely adorable and if they are friendly and like to be held then my daughter would love them.

If at all possible we want to avoid having roosters period. The one we have is just a pain when he gets aggressive. I will make sure to note not to show them

I had one of my goats decide to try to lay down and nap while showing one year. Animals just don’t seem to care as much as the kids do

 

[FrankPrize]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I was considering letting my daughter look at Silkies. They are absolutely adorable and if they are friendly and like to be held then my daughter would love them.

If at all possible we want to avoid having roosters period. The one we have is just a pain when he gets aggressive. I will make sure to note not to show them

I had one of my goats decide to try to lay down and nap while showing one year. Animals just don’t seem to care as much as the kids do

You’re welcome! Silkies would be a great breed for showmanship, they’re usually very mellow and malleable when it comes to being handled. I wish you and your daughter luck with this amazing endeavor, she’s gonna love it!

 

[Delaneygraces]

I’d personally suggest Bantams! Such as silkies, Cochins, Old English, brahmas, or Moderns to name a few! MOST Bantams (of course, it depends on the individual bird!) are very gentle, and easy to handle!
And welcome to 4-H I’ve been in it for about 6-7 years now! Sadly, I’m approaching my last few years as a member. Your daughter will really enjoy it!