Chicken Newbie .. Showing Questions

[Elven Dreams]

Hi all!
Totally new to the chicken world but totally addicted too!

I'm wondering how you even go about showing chickens? How much do you need to know about the individual chicken etc?

I have a beautiful (i think anyway) Australorp/Maran cross that my sister says I should take to a fair and show... I have NO idea if he is even showable or what to do if he is! lol

Any help? Should I bother? lol I don't think I would do this full time but I think it might be a fun thing to do and a way to meet more chicken lovers!

I will try to get some decent pictures of him and post them over the weekend to get your opinion on him.

Thanks for any tips or advice!

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Honestly? It depends on the type of show.

If you are wanting to take to an APA (American Poultry Association) sanctioned show, your cross-bred bird will not make the cut.

Each breed has it's own standard (much like dog breeding and dog showing). The bird closest to the standard description wins that breed. Same goes for the "class" and eventually the top of the top in the show.

If you're taking to a 4-H or a "fun" show, your bird has just as good of a chance to win as any other, UNLESS the rules state that the bird must be purebred.

 

[Elven Dreams]

Ah cool... I sort of figured something like that.... sooo what would I expect at a Fair? It's been ages since I've even been to a fair! lol


Heading to bed now but will check in tomorrow and hopefully post a picture.


Also this, I am not totally sure on the breeding.. I got him at TSC and he was in the bin marked Straight Run chicks.. .. I originally thought he was Australorp only but he now has the most beautiful copper colors and a MASSIVE comb so I'm sure he's not pure Australorp.. the closest picture I can find is a Black Copper Maran on the Poultry Pages site... Someone on here mentioned he might be a cross.....

These are some older pics, will try to get a new one this weekend.
Not the best since he's just moving around a lot.. I'll get one of me holding him

edited to add: he's got a LOT more copper on him now then these show...

 

[Pathfinders]

I've written some articles about how to show, and prepare for a show, that might be of help to you. See them here:

How to Show Your Chickens

http://www.pathfindersfarm.com/Showing.html

How to wash a chicken:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4512807_wash-a-chicken.html

Conditioning & Prepping for Shows

http://www.pathfindersfarm.com/Prepping.html

Hope these help!

Best,

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Quote:
Are those feathers on his legs? If not, he's probably a Black Australorp with birchen showing through. For a fair that is not holding an APA sanctioned show....I'd go ahead and show just for the heck of it and to get experience. If you see someone there with GOOD birds, find out who they are and talk to them about it. They will be able to point you in the right direction if you really want to consider going into showing in the "big time".

Honestly I'd just go for the experience and for the heck of it. Plus, if it's not APA sanctioned, just make sure your bird is pretty, clean, and "slicked" up as best as he can be and hope for the best!

 

[Dirt Road]

Call your fair office, and ask them how you can get the premium list or book. That will tell you what classes are available to show your bird in, whether 4-H or just open class etc. If you explain what you are wanting to do the folks in the office can point you in the right direction. Some of the smaller APA sanctioned shows will also have an "open" class where your bird can compete, or just give you a chance to "show him off".
rodriquezpoultry is right on, go ahead and do it. It will be fun and interesting.

Jim

 

[Elven Dreams]

I have finally gotten back here, with new current pictures of my Roo...

I'm gonna go check out those links that were posted. I have decided that I'm just going to go to the fair and visit and chat with people there and then maybe see about showing him at a another fair closer to town.

I haven't even been to a fair in AGES! lol

So here are a few more pics:

 

[aveca]

He does look like an australorps cross . he has the australorp eye ball and mature bird comb. neat curve to beak.Australorps have white soles on thier feet;;; tops and legs are charcole or black. I had an australorps X hen that had similar feathering years ago. Jersey jiants I beleive have yellow soles on thier feet. but not positive about that. He also seems to have that lorps I couldt care less laid back aditude.

 

[Elven Dreams]

He also seems to have that lorps I couldt care less laid back aditude.

Totally! That is why I'm keeping him as my one rooster. I love this guy!