Chicken (Poultry) Addiction Anonymous *Chat Thread*

[IdealisticRoo]

Quote:
When looking for a Show Quality bird, only an adult bird that has fully matured will be obvious if it has any disqualifying defects. An 8-week-old bird, EVEN IF IT IS FROM SQ parent stock, will not necessarily be a SQ bird!

An adult bird that is Show Quality will be pricey, especially a hen. I would ask other California BYC-ers if they can help you find a bird. Also, you may find a breeder that would like to "sponsor" you, not give you anything, but sell you a VERY GOOD SQ bird for a reasonable price, as long as you list the breeder as the source as often as you can. This is good for the breeder as it gives them some good Public Relations and shows one of their birds in an arena they themselves cannot show them in!

Good luck in your search!

Looks like you are succumbing to "chicken math"! You started with "only 4", then "only 6" and now 7? What's next? PEACOCKS!

 

[IdealisticRoo]

Quote:
I have admired this product, but I like to buy things locally, so here is a similar item I found locally.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2364583

Basically just a low-wattage, large surface heater.

I plan on using this instead of a heat lamp for all future babies, no fire risk and I have had heat lamps quit working for NO reason!

Also, I think light 24 hrs a day leads to crabby chickens and increased chance of picking. If they can't see each other at night, they don't pick each other!

 

[featherz]

Quote:
I have admired this product, but I like to buy things locally, so here is a similar item I found locally.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2364583

Basically just a low-wattage, large surface heater.

I plan on using this instead of a heat lamp for all future babies, no fire risk and I have had heat lamps quit working for NO reason!

Also, I think light 24 hrs a day leads to crabby chickens and increased chance of picking. If they can't see each other at night, they don't pick each other!

That's nice too but it's 100 watts. I like the eco because it's only 18!!

And I agree, they don't need light 24x7. As for size, it's supposed to be good for 20 chicks. I'm not sure it's big enough for that, but it fits my 13 just fine.

 

[GammaPoppyLilyFlutter]

Quote:
When looking for a Show Quality bird, only an adult bird that has fully matured will be obvious if it has any disqualifying defects. An 8-week-old bird, EVEN IF IT IS FROM SQ parent stock, will not necessarily be a SQ bird!

An adult bird that is Show Quality will be pricey, especially a hen. I would ask other California BYC-ers if they can help you find a bird. Also, you may find a breeder that would like to "sponsor" you, not give you anything, but sell you a VERY GOOD SQ bird for a reasonable price, as long as you list the breeder as the source as often as you can. This is good for the breeder as it gives them some good Public Relations and shows one of their birds in an arena they themselves cannot show them in!

Good luck in your search!

Looks like you are succumbing to "chicken math"! You started with "only 4", then "only 6" and now 7? What's next? PEACOCKS!

Thank you! I was worrying this morning about the pecking order and if I do get a chick I need to get it soon and Mom won't like that and such, but it's good to know that an adult bird will be better.

And it was actually "only 2" but Meyer's shipping minimum was 3 and I got an extra due to "packing popcorn".

 

[IdealisticRoo]

Quote:
My original chicken approval was for "a few", so I got seven. Now a year later, I have 57(-ish) and 2 geese! WHee!!!

I wouldn't worry about pecking order. They will sort it out themselves.

However, you may want to consider keeping a Show bird separately, even a few feathers missing could be the difference between a prize winner and a "nice bird that's missing a few feathers".

Also, some of the lighter colored birds like buffs or whites will change colors in the sun. I had a friend in 4-H who did not win anything with her gorgeous Buff Orpingtons because they were sun-faded! Some white chickens will develop brassiness in the sun. So many things to worry about with showing birds!!! I don't want to discourage you, but it is better to know these things in advance.

 

[GammaPoppyLilyFlutter]

Quote:
My original chicken approval was for "a few", so I got seven. Now a year later, I have 57(-ish) and 2 geese! WHee!!!

I wouldn't worry about pecking order. They will sort it out themselves.

However, you may want to consider keeping a Show bird separately, even a few feathers missing could be the difference between a prize winner and a "nice bird that's missing a few feathers".

Also, some of the lighter colored birds like buffs or whites will change colors in the sun. I had a friend in 4-H who did not win anything with her gorgeous Buff Orpingtons because they were sun-faded! Some white chickens will develop brassiness in the sun. So many things to worry about with showing birds!!! I don't want to discourage you, but it is better to know these things in advance.

I thought they got tanner in the sun

Thanks for the info. I made Aspen and Quinn a temporary separate coop that will work for show-coop when they move out of it. Will Wyandottes or Barred Rocks fade in the sun?

 

[IdealisticRoo]

Quote:
I have seen Barred rocks that had brassiness, not sure if it came from sun or genetics. Not sure about Wyandottes. I would avoid patterned chickens for showing as they are VERY hard to get "right"!

Solid color chickens are the easiest to show unless you have years and A LOT of space to devote to raising a SQ flock.

Hatchery RIRs are NEVER dark enough to please most judges.

I know I have said it before, but Black Australorps seem to be easy to acquire good SQ birds! They are gentle and good natured and lay well. Try looking locally for a friendly BA hen if you can only get one. Look for a dark, friendly eye and read the Standard of perfection for the rest of the particulars on that bird.

I would also suggest reading the Standard of Perfection for breed specific info BEFORE buying your "1" show chicken. If your local library doesn't have one, they may be able to borrow one from another library. My parents bought me a copy many years ago when I was in 4-H and I read that book cover to cover several times. It is HUGE, but it does have color pictures of both male and female for most breeds and varieties.

 

[GammaPoppyLilyFlutter]

Quote:
Okay, thanks! I'll look it up in the library system. I was thinking of an Australorp. Such beautiful birds! I'm going to a show in a few weeks that will have a silent auction for SQ birds. I'm saving up as much money as I can and I hope I can find a bargain

And I also hope my mom will even LET me buy one before May

I want the bird to be used to the land before it shows.

 

[IdealisticRoo]

Be cautious, the bargains at a silent auction will probably be on birds no one else wants or they find a flaw that you might not see. A silent auction is a great way to raise money, but you will be bidding against people who don't care about money.

Look at all the birds there, try to stick to solid colors and listen to anyone that will talk to you about their birds. I would treat this show as a way to learn more about showing chickens and also to make a contact with a GOOD, HONEST breeder who will help you find a winner!

Good luck! I LOVED my time in 4-H showing chickens and I learned lots! I did learn that people will steal from, lie to and even cheat kids. Just be careful and have fun!

 

[GammaPoppyLilyFlutter]

Okay, thanks!

If I see a bird I am tempted to buy, I'll post a picture of it on this thread before placing a bid to make sure it's good