Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[fowlman01]

They are allowed in the building, just not in the isle where the judge is working. They put up ropes at each end of the isle so people can't come in that area.

Walt, how do you know ahead of time who is going to judge your birds? I've seen shows advertise which judges they have secured for the show but not mention what classes they will be judging (with exception to the Crossroads shows).

One show I went to was getting behind on the judging I guess, it wasn't that late, and they hadn't judged the Mediterranean class yet. They called over somebody, I don't know who it was, to judge the Mediterranean class. He may have been a judge but he wasn't one that was brought to the show to do the judging. Kind of ticked me off as I didn't know if he was really a judge or not. He went through the class really fast. I wasn't upset because I didn't win, but I don't really think that anyone with birds in that class got a fair assessment.

I know because I ask. I already know who is judging what at Stockton at the end of January....which may be moved to Manteca. Some times you don't know and then you take your chances. Most judges know birds pretty well and hopefully the show management has asked the judge what they feel comfortable judging. It all works out in the end.

Walt

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Well I'm going to jump in here on the "I don't plan to show" discussion. I had never planned to show. Then I started looking for sanctioned shows around here and found that there's only 3 per year anywhere within reasonable driving distance. I consider "reasonable" to be somewhere that I can get to and back in one day and still have at least a couple hours to spend there. There are other shows, but they are not sanctioned. There's the Fancy Feathers shows in New Braunfels, Beaumont Fair, and the State Fair show in Dallas. All of which are more than 200 miles away. But I have been to a couple now. Yes, they are fun. Yes, you do learn. Yes, I will be showing someday.

There are others, which are in my state, but driving from one end of this state to the other is farther than driving from Fairfax to Tallahassee. And I don't have the resources to go on holiday much. But I'll be moving soon and there could be shows in adjoining states that will be close enough. But I've yet to research it. Too much else to do now and in the coming months to focus on that.

And of those shows I have attended, there was only ONE bird entered that was the same color and breed as what I have. And that wasn't exactly a tiny show. So the opportunity to learn about my breed at shows is even more limited. But that won't stop me from doing the best I possibly can and with the help of a wonderful mentor, I still think I'll have something worth having.

Initially, the post said to show, but then it focus was more on "go to shows" - there is a difference there. You dont' have to actually take a bird to a show to attend and learn, but I can see that you would learn more if you did.

Guess my point of all this is that there are those of us who indeed cannot make it to many shows. But we still have the SOP and some great folks around to help.

Hi, Galanie! In reading what you read, I hear you reading that you agree with me. THanks for your thoughts.: "But I have been to a couple now. Yes, they are fun. Yes, you do learn. Yes, I will be showing someday."

For clarity, this was the exact kind of circumstance I was addressing: "driving from one end of this state to the other is farther than driving from Fairfax to Tallahassee. And I don't have the resources to go on holiday much" I know I have to consider expenditure. I'm certainly not an estate heir.

"
And of those shows I have attended, there was only ONE bird entered that was the same color and breed as what I have. And that wasn't exactly a tiny show." Yes, but until you get to know everyone, you don't know what's at home. Also, it may well be that someone with this breed now didn't have that breed then for 20 years. A lot of the old timers have given years and years to breeds--often large fowl--that they no longer maintain for reasons of health but could write volumes on them.

"Initially, the post said to show, but then it focus was more on "go to shows" - there is a difference there. You don't have to actually take a bird to a show to attend and learn, but I can see that you would learn more if you did." This is completely true. You can learn by observation, but when you put on a good sized display and have a patient, informed judge or long-time breeder of the same or similar breed, go over your birds with you, it gives a steroid boost to the way you think of your birds and yourself as a breeder.



.

 

[capayvalleychick]

I was one who originally would never have considered attending or participating in a poultry show. A friend convinced me to go along with her, just to look, and I was so amazed at the birds. That changed my mind. Now, I can't wait until my own birds are exhibition quality.
Work responsibilities don't allow me to travel much, but I go to every show that I can, now. I've learned so much, just by being a spectator - especially when a judge or exhibitor has time to answer questions.

My family and most of my friends consider this to be very strange, however. Even my friends who raise chickens as a business and many of my backyard chicken friends think showing them is silly.

 

[gjensen]

I intend to show a couple of New Hampshires this year. I am a few generations into the birds, and I hope that I have a couple growing out that are worth their feed.
I can't imagine getting too worked up about showing, but it is something I could see myself doing a couple times a year. I would like to get around a few more poultry enthusiasts, and enjoy the birds.

 

[ronott1]

I was one who originally would never have considered attending or participating in a poultry show. A friend convinced me to go along with her, just to look, and I was so amazed at the birds. That changed my mind. Now, I can't wait until my own birds are exhibition quality.
Work responsibilities don't allow me to travel much, but I go to every show that I can, now. I've learned so much, just by being a spectator - especially when a judge or exhibitor has time to answer questions.

My family and most of my friends consider this to be very strange, however. Even my friends who raise chickens as a business and many of my backyard chicken friends think showing them is silly.

I think you should show some Dels and your best SG Dorkings this January at the Stockton(Manteca?) Show.

 

[cluck-cluck]

I'm always doing these side questions, sorry! But I'm wondering about tail spread in Dorkings / Crevecoeurs. I'm looking at Dorking body type because, as I understand it, the Crevecoeur should be the same, with perhaps slightly longer legs? The Dorking has more breeders and is farther along than Crevecoeursm so that is why I'm studying them. Anyway, I can't seem to find any good pictures of Dorking tails showing the spread. I'm wondering if all birds are supposed to have a big tail spread like some of the incredible Orps, Wyandottes and Cochins I've seen, or if these would be different? I just want to know if anyone has examples of the tail spread on a Dorking or Crevecoeur? Also, do Leghorns ever get much of a spread? I couldn't find any good rear ended pictures of Leghorns either, LOL.

Thanks, if you could point me to some pictures, I'm kind of a visual learner!

 

[galanie]

"

And of those shows I have attended, there was only ONE bird entered that was the same color and breed as what I have. And that wasn't exactly a tiny show."  Yes, but until you get to know everyone, you don't know what's at home.  Also, it may well be that someone with this breed now didn't have that breed then for 20 years.  A lot of the old timers have given years and years to breeds--often large fowl--that they no longer maintain for reasons of health but could write volumes on them.

"Initially, the post said to show, but then it focus was more on "go to shows" - there is a difference there. You don't have to actually take a bird to a show to attend and learn, but I can see that you would learn more if you did."  This is completely true.  You can learn by observation, but when you put on a good sized display and have a patient, informed judge or long-time breeder of the same or similar breed, go over your birds with you, it gives a steroid boost to the way you think of your birds and yourself as a breeder.


.

Points well taken. It is true that others have them at home. I've met at least two people that do have Buff Orps at home. And I can well understand how having a judge go over your birds would be a real boost.

Walt: You're right. 200 miles is a "short commute" to those used to driving that %*(#&*&$%# far around here. I'm not, and I don't want to. I have an 11 year old pickup with 65,000 miles on it and darned if I want to start burning up the highway just getting out of town now. My main problem is just getting out of Houston. That alone is half the trip wherever I go because it's too big a city and there's just WAY too much traffic. Grates on my nerves and always has. I'll be moving to a small town in a few weeks and I CAN'T WAIT. Then the miles won't be so unbearable.

 

[maryhysong]

Points well taken. It is true that others have them at home. I've met at least two people that do have Buff Orps at home. And I can well understand how having a judge go over your birds would be a real boost.

Walt: You're right. 200 miles is a "short commute" to those used to driving that %*(#&*&$%# far around here. I'm not, and I don't want to. I have an 11 year old pickup with 65,000 miles on it and darned if I want to start burning up the highway just getting out of town now. My main problem is just getting out of Houston. That alone is half the trip wherever I go because it's too big a city and there's just WAY too much traffic. Grates on my nerves and always has. I'll be moving to a small town in a few weeks and I CAN'T WAIT. Then the miles won't be so unbearable.

Galanie, which small town are you moving to? I agree Houston traffic is the pits, even 25 yrs ago it was bad, can't imagine it now

 

[galanie]

Points well taken. It is true that others have them at home. I've met at least two people that do have Buff Orps at home. And I can well understand how having a judge go over your birds would be a real boost.

Walt: You're right. 200 miles is a "short commute" to those used to driving that %*(#

Galanie, which small town are you moving to? I agree Houston traffic is the pits, even 25 yrs ago it was bad, can't imagine it now

40 or so miles north of Woodville. Little place named Colmesneil. Basically east Texas.

 

[Texasmja]

40 or so miles north of Woodville. Little place named Colmesneil. Basically east Texas.

I know you will be glad to get out of Houston. We made the final move to the ranch 2 years ago and my husband has been commuting to work (120 each way) and finally got his transfer up here to a clinic in Bryan. I do not miss the craziness down there. We did the weekly trip up here for 17 years, I am so much happier now.