First Poultry Show last week. Need opinion on judging

[Poulets De Cajun]

I firmly believe the whole 4H thing is a crock of poop myself...
I dont know about other places, but 4H kids around here HAVE to buy 25 broilers at a time, from a hatchery approved by the 4H people. They are limited to broilers as I understand it, and when they are done, they are responsible for culling, processing, or finding buyers for their birds. Buncha crap if you ask me..... Find some open APA or ABA sanctioned shows that allow juniors to show seperately. This way they can show ANY breed...

Now for the judging part.... no matter WHAT breed you raise, WHERE you show, or WHO is juding...

what you MUST remember is that the result is that it is THAT JUDGES OPINION on THAT DAY, and at THAT MOMENT!!! It is BY NO MEANS the final judgment, and just because your birds were marked as something different one time, dont mean they will be marked as such the next....

Remember, one mans opinion, at that moment, on that day....

 

[runamuck]

Showing any animal is tough!!!!! I was lucky in the sense that we had been showing rabbits in ARBA for 8 yrs before we even went to our 1st chicken show..... What I've learned is Get a standard of perfection ( don't have a heatattack at the price though

) Study the breed.... Look at many pics of show quality birds to get an Idea... Body type seems to be the most important . You can show any color even if not reconized but... the bird will not be able to go up for best of breed. Comb inperfections not a huge deal as long as not a D.Q ( check standard of perfection)
I saw my 1st show quality buff orps at the show They are HUGE!!!!!!! I mean HUGE MY son wants some now so I'm looking for a breeder.
This was our 2nd show ( small brag ) and the kidz Got Best Heavy goose ( Nice award) Cochins 1st and BOV blue cockeral
2nd blue pullet. 1st and BOV red frizzled hen, Call ducks there were 160 entered Butterscotch Hen 1st and BOV
3rd and 4th Grey Hens 1st white young hen, 1st and BOB SAXONY DRAKE and BOSB saxony Hen.
About Judges..... They are just people with a knowledge of birds some are better people...people others lack socal skills is that fair to the kids??? Nope .... but... take it with a grain of salt. When we 1st got into english lop rabbits my son was maybe 7 and loved his bunny Nester, Nester got.Ded for Pigeon Breast ( worst thing a english lop to have) and the jerk of a judge told him he should take the rabbit out and kill it right now due to we were to weak to do it and somehow that rabbit would be bred and we would personally ruin the breed.....

So.... it happens alot just get past it and Next time it will be better
Allie

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

The remarks made were rude and inexcusable.

We're going to our first county fair show next weekend and I've been wondering how it would go.

I did purchase cochins from a show breeder and paid about $200 for 7 birds...I considered that a bargain. Now we'll see if the judge thinks they are worthy!!

I guess buying birds from show breeders doesn't necessarily make them "show quality" individually...but it certainly does give an advantage.

The important thing is that your kids did the work with them, followed through with what they needed to do, took care of them and took time to show them. Those "lessons" will be invaluable in their life and you are to be commended for encouraging them. There aren't enough parents like you these days!!!

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Quote:
This is something that a lot of folks need to hear more often. Just because the parents of certain offspring are show winners, does not ensure that the offspring will follow in the parents footsteps.

"Show Quality" birds more often than not, will produce mediocre offspring as well.


Either way, whatever or whoever that judge was could have taken a more polite tone and expressed his criticism constructively and pointed out any faults in a positive manner rather.

But none of us were actually there, and only have one side of the circumstances.

 

[KKluckers]

Quote:
Well said.

I wish those people would of not handle that situation in that way with your girls. Poultry show should be fun and a place to learn from. I hope you meet some nicer people the next go around if you decide to go.