Costs of showing birds?

[Orpingtons43]

Hello all,
I am wondering how much does it cost to show a chicken in a poultry show? Or even a fair? I am really considering the idea of showing chickens. I live in the state of Alabama. Also, how to shows work/operate?
Thanks

 

[Polish Hen House]

Hey, the cost of showing a bird depends on where you are showing them. For example it costs $1 per bird at my local and state fair. But the price can vary. The cost usually covers the pen that the bird will be kept in.
Typically you take your bird or birds to the event venue and leave them there for the duration of the event. Judging takes place throughout the days.
If you want to know more about the specifics and rules of showing chickens, I would suggest that you look on the site of the show to see specific rules and the times that the birds will be shown.

 

[redranger209]

It’s free in my small town shows. You put your bird(s) in a metal crate they provide for the day. The judge(s) walk around taking birds out of the crates and inspecting them. There is best of breed, and best of variety. There sorted by class too.

 

[LilJoe]

At my fairs it costs $2/head and you have to bring your own cage. Before caging our birds they get blood tested for salmonella

We are lucky to have a licensed APA judge at the fairs, as most dont. He walks from cage to cage, usually judging by breed, and inspects each bird. Afterwards he writes on the cards that are attached to the cages (saying breed and variety) to state remarks and BV, RV, BB, or RB (Best of variety, reserve of variety, best of breed, reserve of breed), as well as to tie ribbons onto cages.
If your bird gets Champion it gets a larger ribbon and a banner, same for the Reserve Champion.. minus the banner.

 

[Orpingtons43]

Thank you all for replying! It really helped me out! I think I understand a lot more know.

 

[MagpieDucks]

Bet you got Grand Champion!

 

[Egghead_Jr]

You pay for the feed supplied to birds if at a fair for week. There is no fee for showing I've heard of. The inherent cost of showing birds at National level is travel to shows and hotel room.

List of poultry shows in the South-
https://www.poultryshowcentral.com/Southern.html