Biggest Pet peeve...

[MoodyChicken]

Nothing irks me more when I see junior exhibitors that do squat with their birds win big in shows. Don't take me wrong, I have nothing against junior poulty breeders, I'm one myself, but it's so discouraging to see a kid win when in reality their parents did all the work. Now, I know a little kid can't do it all on his own, but come on! When mom and dad are preparing the birds, breeding the birds, buying the birds, feeding the birds, and the kid isn't doing ANYTHING, that's just not fair. I was reading my show points towards one of my clubs when I noticed how many points this one kid had. I've never seen him at any of the shows, but I always see his parents at the shows caring for his birds and yadda yadda yadda. Heck, his parent's even breed the same breed. And when he is there, his parents still do all the work. He's perfectly competent and able to do it, but he doesn't. So who do you think is doing all the work? It's just really discouraging for me and all the other junior exhibitors that spend a lot of time trying to perfect their birds only to lose to someone who clearly hasn't done anything. I wonder if there's anything that can be done to stop this. There's so many good, dedicated kids that are losing hope because kids like that keep beating them.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

You have some pretty valid points.

I know that at our state fair the rules for juniors are very explicit about the kids taking care of their animals.

Generally, for other shows I see the kids participating in the care of their birds, and I;ve seen a few parents get onto their kids about taking care of their birds. I've typically worked with my son on care during a show--I may water while he feeds, or vice versa. When we first get there, I may put them in their cages while he feeds, or maybe the other way round.

It wouldn't help with the kids who don't care for their own animals, but I would surely like to see additional and routine judging of junior birds that is based upon the condition of the birds--leveling the playing field for those who can't afford better quality birds.

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

Im thankful that my daughter has a mind of her own some times. She wants to show birds finally (She is 7) and she has her own idea of what kind of birds she likes. She didnt want any of mommy's silly looking silkies lol. She wants some bold little seramas. And she is very handy around the house. She spent the evening outside in the back yard walking our Mini Eskimo dog for 30 minutes in 58F weather then brought him in and gave him a bath cause he got muddy. She is very into animals and I know when she starts showing she will make me proud. Thats the only reason why Im going through the trouble of making it possible for her. of course she cant buy the birds herself, or the things they need. But she can earn the right to own the birds through hard work. Thats what I like to see. And what I expect. If more parents thought this way then you wouldnt have any complaints with the spoilt brats at the shows you attend.

 

[monarc23]

oh i know exactly what you mean... when i showed rabbits, most 4hers show and breed and do all the work for thier own rabbits. However my friend, she pretends like her sons are interested in the rabbits, and she gets high quality rabbits because her kids are in 4h she gets discounted prices on the rabbits as well. Her rabbits are moving up in the show world all because of this. I've been to shows with her..and i've been to her house. SHe feeds hte rabbits, she sells the rabbits, she chooses who is shown, and when they go to the shows, her kids run around and play while she takes the rabbits up to be shown...her kids take no interest. I think it's some parents ways of living through their children. OFcourse not all! but this is one example and yours is deffinatly another.

 

[Krys109uk]

Courtney,
It is a shame this happens in junior competitions.
It is an unfortunate fact, that life is just like that.....life isn't fair. Don't let it put you off. When you are an adult, everyone will be doing their own work & terms will be more even.

 

[skeeter9]

Very true, Krys. Parents can certainly tend to over do it when it comes to "helping" their kids where competitions are concerned.

It can be frustrating, Moody, but just remember that you are going to have much more knowledge and experience under your belt than those other kids, as well as the satisfaction that your accomplishments are a result of your own hard work!!