Hello!

[chrissynemetz]

Hi and welcome to BYC! We're glad you joined us!

 

[N F C]

Hi Virginia, here's a link to an article on chicken anatomy that may be helpful:
chicken-diagram-and-anatomy-of-a-chicken-pictures-and-labels.47692

You might be able to get answers to your questions about showing your birds on this forum:
Exhibition, Genetics, & Breeding to the SOP

Best of luck!

 

[rjohns39]

Hi Virginia and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

@cmom can you provide any pointers?

 

[cmom]

Hi, my name is Virginia Stouffer, and I am starting 4H this year! I need help learning more about chickens and showing birds. If anyone could recommend me 4H tips that would be extremely helpful.
I need to learn about chicken's anatomy and terms.
I also need to learn how to handle and make my birds friendly for showmanship.
I need lots of tips for my record book and what judges are looking for to win.
I am asking on here because my 4H leader isn't very inclusive in the poultry chain and I am a little confused on how to go about this. I am very excited to join this site!

Years ago I did supply chicks for our local 4H. I'm an old lady but have been showing my birds for many years until covid then most of the shows have been cancelled. The links that @N F C gave you are very good. Some things depends on the breed for certain characteristics. Once you get your chicks you will need to handle them gently to get them used to being held. There are ways to hold the birds too when the judges examine them. I will get you some information and post it. Do you have any birds you are planning on showing and what breed? Good luck and have fun...

 

[cmom]

This book is the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection. This is what the judges will use to judge you birds with. It gives information on all of the breeds that are recognized by the APA. Fairs are a little more lenient. They sometimes have classes that include birds that aren't recognized by the APA such as utility class which other birds fall into such as Sex-Links.
Here are a few pictures not in any particular order. When I work on the legs, feet, comb and wattles, I wrap the birds up in a towel like a burrito after I have bathed them. In my signature I have listed the breeds I have. I have had several other over the years but these are the ones I have now. The first picture is one of my Rhode Island Red cockerels that a young girl got a champion at a show with. The last picture is one of my RIR hens that also won a champion. Again, good luck and have fun...

 

[CHlCKEN]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Virginia Stouffer]

Years ago I did supply chicks for our local 4H. I'm an old lady but have been showing my birds for many years until covid then most of the shows have been cancelled. The links that @N F C gave you are very good. Some things depends on the breed for certain characteristics. Once you get your chicks you will need to handle them gently to get them used to being held. There are ways to hold the birds too when the judges examine them. I will get you some information and post it. Do you have any birds you are planning on showing and what breed? Good luck and have fun...

Thank you! Also, the birds I am thinking of getting are the blue and red laced wyandottes

 

[Thunder344]

Hello @Virginia Stouffer and welcome to BYC! Hope you have a good time here!

 

[EmmaRainboe]

Welcome to BYC! So glad you decided to join us!

 

[RebelEgger]

Hello from Nova Scotia and welcome to BYC! You’ve joined a great and resourceful community! Enjoy your journey and happy new year!