Good Chicken Breeds for Showing

[thebeauxman]

What common chicken breeds are good for stock shows like 4H and County Stock Shows?

 

[Whittni]

Silkies, Cochins and Orpingtons are a good common place to start.

 

[Illia]

Any APA/ABA recognized breed with an APA/ABA recognized color can be shown. The breed isn't really what it boils down to, it is the strain and quality of said strain. If you're just looking for hatchery stock, which is what most people have, your best bet is to work with bantam Cochins, standard Dominques, and standard Black Australorps. Although most hatchery stock is far from show quality and many 4H don't actually show according to the standard anyway, those are breeds that aren't too far from it, plus they're pretty friendly and easily worked with so they're a good start.

 

[Hoosierchickens]

I'll add some advice that was given to me and that is to use bantams for 4H. They are much easier for kids to work with. Bantam Cochin is a great suggestion. They have great dispositions and tolerate kids and handling very well. I'd stick with a solid color. Hatchery stock is fine for 4H since it's really more about the kids and showmanship as much if not moreso than the chickens anyway. Of course, if you really want to compete for Grand Champion ribbons you're better off purchasing show quality from a reputable breeder.

 

[ericsplls]

My hatchery stock oegb aren't to standard but are close and are the easiest birds to handle I own. Another good thing about bantams is you can feed several for what it takes for one large fowl and they require less space.

 

[Illia]

I was going to suggest those too but for true showing, not everyone can stomach dubbing chickens.

That is of course if you plan to have them for more than 11 months.