Breed of bird recommended for 10yo's showmanship bird for 4-H

[ultasol]

in general, I would avoid polish. They tend to be flightier than other breeds mentioned.

 

[()relics]

Let me just add one more thing....If you choose a bird that is "extra flighty" and hardher to control than the "average" bird, but handle it everyday and Make it Do What you want, the judge will take note of this and may adjust your score based on difficulty. Remember showmanship judges how You handle the bird. The harder the bird is to handle, as a breed, will reflect when You show the bird and it remains calm and posed. It takes more pre-show work to show an "active" bird to its potential but the judge will reward you for your work. ANY BIRD CAN BE CONTROLLED...breed has little to do with anything...conditioning and the specific attitude of each birds has EVERYTHING to do with showing to win....Have you never seen a judge ask one showmanship competitor to switch birds with another? Just to see how the showman can handle a different bird....My kids handle leghorns, bantams mostly. Anyone can handle our birds...True they are considered a "flighty" breed but once conditioned they are extremely good at holding a pose....and white birds or black always make you look better, providing they are well kept...JMO...

 

[destiny_56085]

I deal with alot of 4-H kids too... For a young kid you want something relatively low maintainance for their first time. You want to keep their interest in the hobby. I know silkies and cochins are absolutely gorgeous, but not always the best choice for a kid starting out. Are they going to want to deal with the hassle of taping crests up and maintaining those foot feathers? You also want something fairly easy to get right on the color. If possible stick with solid colors.... the breeds with patterns are often difficult to get right. If you don't want to deal with staining or sun bleaching, stay away from the white or light colors in any breed. Stick to something without a crest or feathers on the legs to start out. Some breeds I'd suggest are the bantam wyndottes, rosecombs, buckeyes, and yes the moderns too of course. Any breed can be relatively tame with enough handling. Spend some time with the birds in a cage. Just get them used to you walking by at first. Bring treats like cat food or hamburger and they will soon be eating out of your hand and begging for attention.

 

[chickd]

hi


i had started 4h at the age of 5 or 6 years old and i have tried a wide range of chicken breed (even mixed breed)
right now i am down on chicken but just got a new coop so i will get more soon
the breeds i have now are...

1 black cochin
1 silver spangled spizen
1 silver laced wyt (maybe with a little cochin in it)
1 red laced white cornish (not a meat chicken)
and i got the about a year ago

the next one i got about a year or 2 ago
the hen is a year or 2 younger than the roster they are from a friends friend
and they are
1 bantam pair of (i think) old english weaton

and last i have from my production pen
and that i got a few months ago (not laying yet)
3 amber links
3 light brahmas



i think that my last 2 breeds are the 2 to catch but they are still young
my pair are nice but the cock the chicken i can never catch the hen is so sweet i love her
and my first ones are the 2 oldest one after the pair and they are the 2 one i can catch maybe the first after the bantam hen


love then all but i love my bantam hen and my first 4 a lot by i would let your kid pick because then she will care more about learning about them and the different care one may need from the other
and that is also the fun of is

good luck

rose

 

[applebutter14]

I showed my black bantam Cochin at the fair for showmanship and she was VERY calm and she just sat there so peacefully and I won champion intermediate showmanship with her.... I highly recommend a black bantam Cochin!