How do I go about showing poultry?

[safarichick101]

My birthday is on the 30th and I'm turning 14. I wanted to ask my parents if I could show turkeys and chickens in the coming year because I love my current chickens and I just wanted to embrace my pets a little more. We already own 10 chickens, various breeds and 3 silkie crosses. My mom said I could get some turkeys as well, and we own close to 3 acres.

1. Where can I find places to show in Texas? How do I get recognized?
2. What are some good breeds to start with out of both (turkeys and chickens)
3. How many should I start with?
4. I don't want a taste contest, just a breed for the standard.

Okay. So I really need some answers to this question.

 

[safarichick101]

Oh please answer me! For the sake of good poultrymanship!

 

[The Chickinn]

Well, safarichick, let me try to answer all of your questions, because I too m gong to show poultry. First off, if you want to get recognized, you will have to start at a county fair, then maybe a state fair. Well, to answer questiion 2, I need to know what kind of chicken you want(I don't know anything about turkeys). To answer number 3, do you want to show a rooster or hen? For roosters, only have 1 picked out, for hens, pick out 2 or 3 of the ones you think are the closest to the standard of perfection. Also, the birds you show should not have any defects like broke feathers, crooked beak, or a toe bent bbackwards(seen many at poultry sshows I watch). If you need any more help, I am glad to help you, but I think your first step should be to get the APA's Standard Of Perfection.

 

[safarichick101]

Well my favorite breeds are orpingtons australorps brahmas and faverolles. I am willing to try any breed though and hens would probably be better.

 

[The Chickinn]

Do you know how to get into chat on here at BYC?

 

[safarichick101]

um.. no I don't.

 

[safarichick101]

I love my buffy ginger, though I doubt she is show quality because she has 2 feathers on her tail with dark flecking. But she is from Ideal poultry so I doubt there are many show qualities from them. Plus she is going on 2 years in february.. so I kinda want to start with new stock.

 

[DIMBY]

Contact your local 4-H representative, usually thru your county's Extension Office. 4-H is probably your best shot, but many county and state fairs have what is generally called 'Open Class" where it is, literally, open to anybody, any age, without 4-H affiliations. There are thousands of categories.

If you go the 4-H route, don't be imitimated, some of the kids have been involved in 4-H since they're 5 or 6 - and, contrary to some misconceptions, you don't have to live on a 'farm' or 'ranch' to join 4-H. There are dozens of categories and I have met many young people who have raised their chickens/turkeys/ducks, etc. in their backyards - just like us. I have also watched quite a bit of the judging and while each fair is different, you will want a very thorough knowledge of both your show breed and poultry in general, judges love asking questions and accurate answers are important. One more thing: cleanliness is important, make sure your bird is impeccable. You don't want to get sent to the back to give your bird a scrubbing (I've seen it happen). Most of all, have fun and good luck!

To give you and others a head start of sorts, here's my 4-H county fair's chapter on poultry, please remember that each county will be somewhat different but there are enough guidelines to get your started:

http://mesacountyfair.com/4hchapters/division7poultry.pdf

Merry Christmas!

 

[Rock N' Faverolles]

I just wanted to add, that out of the breeds you listed, for beginners, Orpingtons would be easiest to raise and show. They are quite docile (at least the ones that I've been around) and they do not have feathered legs and beards and muffs to worry about getting into condition to show. If I were you, I would pick just one breed/color variety, for example buff orpingtons, and try to get some eggs to hatch out or chicks from a reputable breeder. If you need some names PM me and I'll try to help you out. Many well known breeders are more than happy to help out youth/ 4Hers in starting out with poultry.

For turkeys, it's the same thing, stick with one kind and order some poults of whatever kind you want.

For both chickens and turkeys, when you do end up picking a breed, find out all you can about it and study the history, breed standards, etc. Like DIMBY mentioned, I'd also recommend joining a 4H club for starters and go from there.

David

 

[safarichick101]

The state fair is in mid summer. And I was wondering if that would affect me getting into 4h. I love orpingtons and they shave to be my favorite breed out of all the ones I have had (brahmas, faverolles, silkies, barred rocks, slw's and orps). I absolutely love them and one of my friends told me that when you go to a state fair, all the animals have to be left and butchered. I don't want that kind of ending, I'm sorry. I prefer to have show chickens that happen to be loved members of the family like the ones we have now.

I was wondering if that was true. And I didn't know you could show for type in 4h. I was in it for a little bit last year but I didn't get a project started.