Chicken Conformation Showing

[enchant_rose]

Hello BYC!!

I am actually looking into showing chickens in conformation events. I couldn't do meat chickens.

Anyways, I have a couple of questions for anyone who might know the answer!

1) What breeds are best? I like the Silver Spangled Hamburg, but are there any better breed options?
2) How should I house them? I definitely want to house my show chickens away from my regular chickens, but is there any specific type of housing I should use?
3) How should I feed and take care of them?
4) What would be the best organizations to join?
5) How expensive would the show chickens be, how much should I get, and where I could I get them from? What age should they be when I buy them?
6) What should I look for when choosing the chickens to buy and show? How many can I show? Just one or all that I buy as long as they look good? How old should they be when I show them?

I think that's it! At least for now! Thank you and have a great day!!

 

[Amer]

1.) The best breed is what you want! So by all means, get Silver Spangled Hamburgs. They are a beautiful breed.
2.) House them in the way that works best for you. There’s no “right” way to house show birds. I’ve seen them housed in many ways. A pen with a closed run would be best since Hamburgs like exercise and you want to protect those valuable show birds, however, I know some breeders (of LF) that free range their flock. This means more losses but the birds enjoy it. Also, it’s good to have some small pens for setting up breeding pairs and trios and for conditioning for shows.
3.) If Hamburgs are what you want, as show birds they wouldn’t really have any needs other than the chickens you already have. Other than to keep them clean! Also, some breeders cage train their birds (put them in cages every week or so and teach them to show off) to calm them down for shows, or tame their birds. But it’s all based on preference. Be sure to trim beaks and nails if they get too long (I find a human or cat nail clippers work.)
4.) Join the APA (American Poultry Association.) If you are into bantams, you can join the ABA if you want. If you are a youth who wants to show at the fair, join 4-H. The Youth Exhibition Poultry Association is a good source of info. And most importantly, get an American Standard of Perfection. The expense is worth it, and breeding and selecting your birds to the Standard is the only way to win!
5.) Show chickens are fairly inexpensive, especially considering how much they cost to raise. The cost of raising them is a lot more than the cost of birds themselves. Start with a pair or trio or quad of healthy, adult birds that represent the Standard of Perfection. Health is important. Buy from proven breeders to the Standard of Perfection. You can reach out to them online. I can look up breeders near you, but I’m busy right now.
6.) Health and meeting the Standard. Make sure you are buying healthy birds (not from a swap meet) and be sure to quarantine them away from your flock for three weeks, monitoring them for any sign of disease. I once didn’t and disease wreaked havoc on my whole flock leading to many traumatic experiences and much culling.
Use the description of your chosen breed in the Standard to judge which birds are best, judging for the best type, then color. Good breeders will help you pick out the best birds. Show as many as you want at 6 months+.

 

[enchant_rose]

1.) The best breed is what you want! So by all means, get Silver Spangled Hamburgs. They are a beautiful breed.
2.) House them in the way that works best for you. There’s no “right” way to house show birds. I’ve seen them housed in many ways. A pen with a closed run would be best since Hamburgs like exercise and you want to protect those valuable show birds, however, I know some breeders (of LF) that free range their flock. This means more losses but the birds enjoy it. Also, it’s good to have some small pens for setting up breeding pairs and trios and for conditioning for shows.
3.) If Hamburgs are what you want, as show birds they wouldn’t really have any needs other than the chickens you already have. Other than to keep them clean! Also, some breeders cage train their birds (put them in cages every week or so and teach them to show off) to calm them down for shows, or tame their birds. But it’s all based on preference. Be sure to trim beaks and nails if they get too long (I find a human or cat nail clippers work.)
4.) Join the APA (American Poultry Association.) If you are into bantams, you can join the ABA if you want. If you are a youth who wants to show at the fair, join 4-H. The Youth Exhibition Poultry Association is a good source of info. And most importantly, get an American Standard of Perfection. The expense is worth it, and breeding and selecting your birds to the Standard is the only way to win!
5.) Show chickens are fairly inexpensive, especially considering how much they cost to raise. The cost of raising them is a lot more than the cost of birds themselves. Start with a pair or trio or quad of healthy, adult birds that represent the Standard of Perfection. Health is important. Buy from proven breeders to the Standard of Perfection. You can reach out to them online. I can look up breeders near you, but I’m busy right now.
6.) Health and meeting the Standard. Make sure you are buying healthy birds (not from a swap meet) and be sure to quarantine them away from your flock for three weeks, monitoring them for any sign of disease. I once didn’t and disease wreaked havoc on my whole flock leading to many traumatic experiences and much culling.
Use the description of your chosen breed in the Standard to judge which birds are best, judging for the best type, then color. Good breeders will help you pick out the best birds. Show as many as you want at 6 months+.

That is so helpful! Thank you so so much!!

 

[Amer]

I don’t know if you want bantams or large fowl but Sky High Sumatras has bantams: https://sumatrachampions.wordpress.com/contact-information/