Exhibition How To

[CBDean]

Looking into starting to show some chicken but I am new to this. Looking for a good source of information on how to raise them, the proper diet, health care, and handling for exhibitions. I am planning to try to find breeders where I can buy better chicks or eggs than the big box stores. Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[nuthatched]

Pick a breed and type.
Get some breeder birds from a real breeder.
Raise them with a balanced diet and plenty of room.
Have you had chickens before?

 

[CBDean]

Pick a breed and type.
Get some breeder birds from a real breeder.
Raise them with a balanced diet and plenty of room.
Have you had chickens before?

I have 16 now of different breeds. (my daughters purchased 2 of ever thing they had at Cackle Hatchery on their way up to see me on my birthday) We have had others in the past also. Went to Missouri State Poultry Show this weekend. After seing all of the breeds we are not sure as to which breed we want to start with and just started doing some research. Planning on getting our birds from a real breeder. Hoping to find someone near us who shows to mentor us.

 

[nuthatched]

I have 16 now of different breeds. (my daughters purchased 2 of ever thing they had at Cackle Hatchery on their way up to see me on my birthday) We have had others in the past also. Went to Missouri State Poultry Show this weekend. After seing all of the breeds we are not sure as to which breed we want to start with and just started doing some research. Planning on getting our birds from a real breeder. Hoping to find someone near us who shows to mentor us.

So you're in Missouri?
Professionally breeding and showing birds is a huge commitment of time, money and effort.
Are willing to be npip certified?
And to cull (kill) defects in breeding?
Are you able to be biosecure?
Do you have a couple thousand of dollars ready for stock, pens and required vet visits?
Do you have atleast 5 years to devote to birds before showing?

 

[Wilsted34]

So you're in Missouri?
Professionally breeding and showing birds is a huge commitment of time, money and effort.
Are willing to be npip certified?
And to cull (kill) defects in breeding?
Are you able to be biosecure?
Do you have a couple thousand of dollars ready for stock, pens and required vet visits?
Do you have atleast 5 years to devote to birds before showing?

you dont need to be so aggressive and such a debby downer with your response. Sheesh. You don't have to kill your chickens if they have defects. Theres always someone willing to take free chickens. May be work on changing your tune and try being encouraging instead of trying to push the person away from a really rewarding thing in becoming a professional breeder. The OP is only asking questions on how to get started.

 

[nuthatched]

you dont need to be so aggressive and such a debby downer with your response. Sheesh. You don't have to kill your chickens if they have defects. Theres always someone willing to take free chickens. May be work on changing your tune and try being encouraging instead of trying to push the person away from a really rewarding thing in becoming a professional breeder. The OP is only asking questions on how to get started.

I wasn't trying to be a 'Debby downer', ((who uses that phrases anymore??))I'm trying to bring the scope of all that's actually required to be a professional breeder. The only reason you've assigned 'aggressive' to my tone-less internet statement, is just the lack of agreement .

It's a lot of work and money, and very much not something you get into on whim, it worse than trying to open a restaurant.
The lives of the animals are the most important, you have make sure their lives are good and they're not shoved into little dirty, floor less cages under the porch.

It's not remotely like buying a bunch of chickens and letting them have at each other and the owner raking in money, you're trying to build a reputation of quality and health for very desirable birds.
Also, sometimes, state and local laws have requirements that you need to comply to, such as numbers, pen sizes, business licensing...
Keeping birds with defects cost money and resources and selling them just floods the area with lackluster birds that will give you a poor reputation and some birds will have a poor quality of life. It unfortunately happens.
I'm not going to encourage someone to do something without considering all the details, and if someone has, they'll know exactly where I'm coming from and will have no problem with a list of questions that need to be considered.

Not thinking of or ignoring all the details, is where you get all the puppy mill style 'breeders', of any kind of animal.