Well...I didn't think about the Ameraucana point system for than about 30 seconds before reacting, but my first impression was that it looks like if Paul and Angela Smith had the 3rd best Americana at the show and only get 1 point when Mike Gilbert gets 8 points from showing birds that weren't as good and John Blehm gets 35 points when one of his top placing birds is later noted to have a DQ that was missed by the judge, then it really turns things into a numbers game. By showing 6 birds in a recognized variety that no one else is showing you can get points without having to have really good birds and by do that at 10 shows in a year you can accumulate over 100 points with out having to have really good birds. It seems like it would no longer be about who has the best birds as it would be about who has earned the title of Master Exhibitor first.
Me second impression was...that would be a lot of work to keep track of a 50 member's points over several years time.
My last impression was...well, I guess it is something to consider.
HaplessRunner, Thanks for sharing. It is good to see how other breed clubs do things. I know that ideas from the Ameraucna Club have been shared and stolen previously. I have been on their club sight by had not knowledge of their point system. Very enlightening.
If someone turned me upside-down and fluffed me, I'd probably bite the judge.. . . . Funny to see how stuff was put on those chickens -- I felt like my girls went in naked with only a bath the week before --- no sprays, pomades or upside down fluff ups . To be fair, most animals go through some level of show primping (sheep, Angora rabbits and especially dogs), but it still amuses me --- probably as much as watching me bathe two ticked off pullets in the sink amused the hubby. . . .
Glad you took the first step in showing. I enjoy getting to know the breeders at the shows. In fact, I probably learn more from the other breeders than I do from one of the judges. So much has to do with the show, showroom rules that you are at and who the judge is. At our show people are allowed to watch from the other side of the pen. Most of the judges talk loud enough for you to hear their comments. Some even encourage you to ask about the bird when you are standing there watching. Like you said, it is sometimes hard to pen them down after they are finished judging but when you can they usually are very helpful and explain in detail what they saw in the bird. What I have found funny is that some of the breeders only want to hear the positive and not the total story about their birds. If your bird is junk then accept that and find better don't knock the judge. Remember it is only one persons opinion that you are listening to. You put the same birds in next week with a different judge and the outcome will be totally different.Hi!
Saw Hapless Runner very briefly at the show, and said hello a couple of times in passing, before something in my breakfast upset my stomach. Spent most of the time after that in the car. Yes, he was very busy talking to folks. Even hidden at the end of the back aisle. My two Houdan's were cooped along the same aisle with the rest of the Continental entries. (Thrilled that my two pullets placed BB/BV and reserve over a third pullet I didn't expect.)
Here are some pictures of HR's birds while awaiting the judging. Sorry for the poor quality, they were taken with a cell phone. Plus they were cooped on the top level of cages.
Cock/Cockerel to the left, two of the hens/pullets to the right. I think there were three hens/pullets altogether but he can elaborate.
And the two boys.
This was my first chicken show and I do have to say it wasn't my favorite type of Ag animal show -- rabbit shows are. They are very educational. The majority of judges discuss the points of each animal as they examine them at an exhibition table. They discuss the points, both good and bad, for everyone to see/hear. Haven't heard anyone be mean, only positive. It's very family friendly and you learn alot without having to hunt a judge down and grab a minute while others are trying to do the same thing.
I was hoping the chicken shows would be the similar. Admittedly I only saw a little bit, but it seemed more like the judge and clerk examine and discuss the animals while the exhibitors are elsewhere.
Funny to see how stuff was put on those chickens -- I felt like my girls went in naked with only a bath the week before --- no sprays, pomades or upside down fluff ups . To be fair, most animals go through some level of show primping (sheep, Angora rabbits and especially dogs), but it still amuses me --- probably as much as watching me bathe two ticked off pullets in the sink amused the hubby.
Anyway, I digress. I'm planning to show again, mainly to see where my animals fall in relation to others and if I'm making progress in my breeding program. I'll also show my Legbars next year because that will help us move forward to APA recognition. Not planning to do any show circuits and have absolutely no interest in chasing points.
