How can you tell if a bird is SQ or not?

[MaggieRae]

I have an Australorp rooster I've been thinking of finding a new home for. I've been asked several times if he was show quality or not, and I said No, because he's hatchery stock. Sadly, this seems to be a deal breaker.

So I was curious if I was a bit rash in saying no. Is it possible he is show quality, although I've never shown him?

Below are some images if you would like to take a guess...

Thanks!

 

[Illia]

I don't think it is "rash" at all - I have just about never seen a good quality Black Australorp, and have rarely ever seen good stock in general from hatcheries. The common breeds especially (BA, BO, BR, RIR) you'll never find good examples of. They've been bred, sold, and ruined by far the most.

 

[Chris09]

Sadly if he is from a hatchery he would not be show quality..
Hatcheries do not breed to the standard of perfection.. That not saying that he would not place at a small county fair/show, he might but if you got him from a hatchery I would say it is best to tell them that he is from a hatchery...

Hatchery type birds around here don't bring that much. A rooster his size and from a hatchery this time of the year might bring $10.00 ...

Chris

 

[averytds]

Sorry, I don't know anything about BAs standard. I do know that hatchery stock doesn't 100% guarantee they can't be shown or even place. It really depends on the show, competition and judge, also on the class you're running them in. He might also have something to add to the right breeder for something specific they are looking for.

Like I said, I am completely unfamiliar with the BAs standards, but with all blacks I am familiar with, that green sheen coming out in your pics is wonderful. Good photographer, I don't know, but he looks alert, clean, well cared for and healthy. The same cannot be said for all the entries at shows I've attended and most certainly at swaps or sales.

 

[Megs]

as mentioned above hatcherys do not breed toward the standard so it is unlikely he would win any major awards, having said that he looks decent conformationally (im no expert, and the body shot photo is taken at a weird angle so hard to tell), he might be ok for more local fair type shows.

 

[LilPeeps]

If you were to bring that bird to an APA/ABA sanctioned show, with licensed judges, that bird would go nowhere. If you were to bring him to a county fair, he may place, but he is not show quality.

edited for spelling.

 

[MaineChick]

I'm pretty new to the chicken world, but I might suggest finding a local breeder of Australorps and asking that question. No matter how good the photograph, it isn't the same as looking at the actual animal. I'm sure that hatchery birds do not, generally speaking, illustrate the ideal of the breed well enough to show - but that doesn't mean you don't have a fluke. No one so far has said why that beautiful bird would not be show quality - i.e. back length incorrect for breed, poor comb, color, etc.

Seabiscuit, one of the winningest Thoroughbred horses ever, was a runt with knobby knees. Seattle Slew, undefeated 1977 Triple Crown winner was purchased as a yearling for less than $20,000 in a year when most went for $150,000 or more. Neither had a particularly impressive pedigree.

Tell people he is from a hatchery but is a beautiful bird and let them decide. Maybe you have a hatchery miracle bird - we can all dream, can't we?

 

[Illia]

Quote:
There's a difference between racing horses and show-quality poultry though. Sure, you still look for conformation in both, but the racing animal requires an "odd" sort of look to it that is unpleasing to the eye in order to run well.

And another thing - Local Australorp breeders don't exist. You'll more than likely find someone who got Australorps from a hatchery, too, and just plain breeds them. There's a difference between someone who does that and someone who actually breeds birds for APA sanctioned shows and not local fairs.

 

[EweSheep]

There ARE some Aussie breeders out there but they are like finding a needle in the haystack.

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
You said,

"No one so far has said why that beautiful bird would not be show quality - i.e. back length incorrect for breed, poor comb, color, etc."

Like said before he is very hatchery type.
Just from what I can see in the Pictures he has--
Poor comb ( too many point with no blade and some folds),
Need more length of back,
Incorrect angle of back,
Hatchery type tail, Incorrect tail angle with little to no main sickle length,
Needs more fluff
That is what I can see with out seeing the bird in person..

With that being said he will make a very good pet....

Chris​