Good Show Breeds

[ConnecticutCowgirl]

WOW! Thanks for all of the feedback!
I have placed an order for my chickens...
1 Buff Orpington, 1 RIR, 1 Speckled Sussex, 1 Barred Rock, 1 Australorp, and yes, 1 SILKIE!!!
I can not wait for them to arrive the week of August 20...
I do need some advice on silkie keeping!!!

Thanks,
C.T. Cowgirl

 

[Debbi]

Well, if by "placed an order" you mean from a hatchery, chances are very slim that you will get anything of show quality. Hatcheries breed for quantity and egg production mostly, and many of their birds look nothing like a breeder's birds would. Always best to buy from a knowledgeable and reputable breeder. As for the Silkie advice, check out all the different Silkie threads here on BYC, there are quite a few!

 

[Celtic Hill]

If you are looking for top quality show birds for 4H or APA/ABA shows you can send me a PM and I will put you in contact with a breeder in CT. I'm in CT but im not breeding any show birds just projects right now. I realize you may have not realized but hatchery chickens are not very nice quality and will not do well in the show ring. They will still be awesome birds! But IF you want to seriously show and do well you will want to get some birds from a breeder and I know of a few in CT that I am sure I can put you in contact with. PM me and I will help you all I can! -Ian

 

[cubalaya]

get some cubalayas; show quality, lots of eggs, and kinda exotic.

 

[ConnecticutCowgirl]

Thanks! That's great because I ordered an Australorp too!

Here are the 6 breeds that will arrive on the week of August 20th...
- 1 White Silkie (Spoon)
- 1 Rhode Island Red (Penny)
- 1 Australorp (Genevive)
- 1 Buff Orpington (Daisy)
- 1 Speckled Sussex (Un-named... any suggestions??? possibly FeeFee)
- 1 Barred Plymouth Rock (Pepper)

 

[jeanette char]

It is true that most quality show birds will not come from a hatchery. My buckeyes were an exception to this rule. They are under a year, so I entered them in as pullet and cockerel, each took grand champion with the cockerel taking Supreme Champion at the Shiawassee County Fair this last week. This may be in part to the judge being partial to Heritage breeds, but I am still very proud of my birds.

 

[Old Rando]

Hatcheries must produce hundreds or thousands of chicks at a time from any particular breed they are selling. They are selected for productivity and are normally flock bred. In a very general sense to produce chickens that meet the APA/ABA standards for showing a breeder must breed the best quality stock in regards to these standards and cull offspring that do not meet these requirements as well. This is a never ending process as improper breeding selections will develop flocks that diverge from those standards naturally.

The APA or ABA have jurisdiction over shows that are sanctioned by them and nothing else. Not hatchery breeding process or County fairs either. If your chicken won well at a local county fair it might be because the Breed standards set forth by the APA were used and it happened to be the best there. Or as in many county fairs which are usually agriculture based it was judged on being a good healthy utility specimen of its breed.

 

[chickd]

Do the name jojo for ur chicken

 

[the breeder]

are bufforpingtons a good breed to show

 

[the breeder]

hi i am doing 4h (any one here done 4h) and i need some advice on what kind of chicken you guys recommend (i need a nice calm breed and a breed that does not be crazy) and thanks for all your help

i think these are funny lol