Crossroads Poultry Show 2011-History and Reflection

[gabbyscritters]

Looking for advice from those who attend the large poultry shows.
Would you let your 10 year old compete in showmanship at Crossroads if they had just started showing last year?

We are planning on going with our 10 year old daughter Gabby to check out the Crossroads show, hubby thought maybe she could do showmanship also.
She stared showing last year in 4-h and did 2 small poultry shows. She is doing 3 poultry shows this fall and county fair next week.
Gabby enjoys showmanship and likes to share her knowledge.

Gabby shows a Serama hen in showmanship, a decent bird, but not show quality but the bird loves her kid. Gabby knows the faults her hen has & she shows her very clean.
Gabby is planning on entering the photography contest and probably the writing contest.

I can't even imagine how huge of a show this is going to be, I know thousands of birds. No idea how many juniors there are doing showmanship?
Will she feel out of place with kids who have been doing this way longer or who have parents who raise poultry?
Would it be better just to go as spectators and wait another year to compete in showmanship? I know her chickens are not at the level to compete.
Trying to avoid setting her up to feel like a failure or be overwhelmed.

Any thoughts

 

[High Roost Ranch]

Quote:
I say absolutely let her try showmanship. Quality of her serama isn't that important. Whats important is her comfort level handling the bird and her knowledge of her bird. Just because there will be a lot of entries should in no way discourage her in doing her best and having fun while doing it. It's a great way for her to learn, by jumping in and sharing with other kids her love of her bird. Black pants and long sleeve white shirt are basics for attire. Good luck to her!

 

[brahmachickenlady]

I totally agree with the Chicken Whisperer. Yes, let her do the showmanship. It sounds like she knows her stuff, and what she doesn't she will learn. There will be lots of activities for the kids...by the way. Doris Robinson is great. Try not to think right or wrong. Try to think learning experience, fun, and meeting lots of new people.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

As a 4H leader I would recommend EVERY youth at Crossroads compete in the showmanship. Win, lose or draw, it will be an experience they will not want to miss. We have an 8 year old from our 4H club that will be competing in the showmanship.

 

[duckluck]

Quote:
As far as showmanship goes, I'll leave it to those whose expertise it is to comment on that, but I'll tell you my "real-world" opinion: as a child, I did not get to have such high-quality experiences with animals as is offered through being in a 4H, agricultural group or growing up on a farm or ranch. I grew up in the city with parents who are city people and I had to start pursuing the animal hobby starting as a late teenager when I could get myself around out into the world; my opportunities to interact with animals as I would have liked were few and far between until I got my wildlife rehabber job; I wanted a lot of animal interaction and experience but those things just aren't as readily available in the city. Yeah, I had a few smaller pets but it isn't the same as having horses or a flock of ducks. So I think your daughter should pursue every opportunity she has to do such things. Win, lose or draw, it is a life enriching experience, one that she will always have to reminisce about later.

 

[Darling Farms]

Does anyone know how it will work for people who want to ship their birds to show?

We are weighing flying vs. driving.

~Darling Farms

 

[juliechick]

Quote:
Absolutely, let her show! I had an ABA judge tell me that he likes for a kid to use a bird that is not perfect and be able to tell why she isn't and point out the faults. Look at some videos online of showmanship, practice, relax and she will do great.

My son's first time to do showmanship, he didn't know everything there is to know, but he knew enough. He looked the judge in the eye, seemed confident in what he did know and handled his bird well. It was obvious he loved the bird. He ended up in first place for his age group! He's going to do the showmanship at Crossroads. I expect competition to be tougher, but that's good. He should learn a lot from it, win or lose.

 

[duckluck]

Quote:
You would have to contact either Bill or Dave Wulff, the people running the show, to ask if they are accepting express shipments for the show. I believe it said in the Poultry Press ad that they are. They could direct you how best to do that...just be sure the post office knows that you are shipping the birds express rather than priority!

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Quote:
Yea, he beat my son! But he did a great job! Was so proud of them both!

 

[gabbyscritters]

The showmandhip answers were what I was Hoping hear. I am going to download the show bill and talk to gabby about the show. I wanted to feel things out before We brought up the idea of showing at crossroads.
Hubby did also point out that one of gabby's bantams rooster is very nice and his breeder did use him for some breeding this spring. The 4-h poultry leader really likes her little roo, I think I ask him if she should exhibit the roo and also have her do showmanship. Could be fun.