First year showing chickens, how do you think this bird will do?

[JacinLarkwell]

At a fair, I say she may have a good chance. I pulled my standard out and she looks decent to the descriptions. However compared to the illustrations, she should have a smaller comb and a lower, tighter tail. This is for 4h, correct?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

You have watched the required instructional video correct?

I love that movie.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

She certainly wouldn’t do well at an APA show. At a fair she might do okay, though I wouldn’t expect much better than a best of breed.
APA barred Plymouth Rocks are much larger and longer with a smooth slope to the tail. They are rectangular and very deep, enormous birds. Hatchery barred Rocks don’t have this.
View attachment 2253174Here is a decent hen. The photo obviously doesn’t belong to me.
The important thing is you’ll get the learning experience.
This fall, if possible, go to a show, look around at the show and talk with breeders. Find out what breed you’d be interested in and purchase a SOP. With the right birds to start off, you could win at a fair quite easily.

To be fair, the only thing better than best of breed is best of show and only two birds get that regardless

 

[FeatheredFriends&Horses2]

At a fair, I say she may have a good chance. I pulled my standard out and she looks decent to the descriptions. However compared to the illustrations, she should have a smaller comb and a lower, tighter tail. This is for 4h, correct?

Yes it is. Unfortunately she does have some feather damage from a rooster and 11 primaries on one wing, two of which are miscolored and 10 perfect primaries on the other. How much do you think she'll get docked for those issues?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Can I see some pictures?

How large is your fair usually?

1-20, 30-50, 50+ contenders. The more birds being shown, the more picky the judges get to be

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Plus in my experience, 4h judges are far more forgiving about some things than actual APA shows are

 

[FeatheredFriends&Horses2]

Can I see some pictures?

How large is your fair usually?

1-20, 30-50, 50+ contenders. The more birds being shown, the more picky the judges get to be

Unfortunately I can't get pictures right now, I have to leave for work in a couple minutes. It's normally very small, I'd say 1-15

 

[JacinLarkwell]

She'll probably do pretty well then. She's in better conditions than half the birds I show against. Just make sure she's clean. The less poop she has on her, the more the judges will want to look at her and see her good points

 

[Amer]

So here's my practice attempt at showmanship. I know my hen is a bit flighty; my original showmanship bird decided to go broody. If you all would be willing to take a look and tell me what I did right (if anything) and what I need to work on, I'd really appreciate it! Sorry, I know the video is sideways, I couldn't fix it.

Very windy day, wasn’t it?
This is really good! I could take some tips from it too! I never think about the importance of production qualities.
The only things I would change would be to also compare the hen to the standard: size, head width, back width, clarity of barring.
Identify hackle and saddle feathers as well as the axial feather. It is important to note the axial feather because without it she would have split wing, a disqualification.
Learn all of the parts of the wing: primaries, secondaries, axial feather, bow, bar, shoulder and coverts.
Some other things to note would be the tail, the breast, the thighs, the hock, the toes.
Are the toes straight? Note that. Does she have all her toenails? Note that. Does she have bumble foot? Note that.
Note that four fingers between the pelvic bones is really good. Tell the judge the standard weights (in pounds): Cock 9 and 1/2, Hen 7/2, Cockerel 8, Pullet 6.
Rocks are one of the largest breeds.
Describe the origins of the Rock.
Judges like if you throw in interesting tidbits about the breed.
Also have a general knowledge of poultry, which they’ll ask questions about at the end.
And remember to state your management practices like what they are being fed and how they are being housed.

 

[Amer]

Yes it is. Unfortunately she does have some feather damage from a rooster and 11 primaries on one wing, two of which are miscolored and 10 perfect primaries on the other. How much do you think she'll get docked for those issues?

Probably not more than a point for a missing feather. She’s in much better condition than most. The thing about summer shows is few birds are in condition for them.