How do I win a Chicken show?

[BGMatt]

Hey! New here. Been raising 4-h chickens with my kids for about 3 years now.

I am looking for tips on how to raise better show chickens. We've learned so much about raising the chickens and ducks. Now my kids want to know why other chickens win instead of ours. They are red sex links.

Thanks for any input you can offer.

It's as simple as red sex links are cross breeds. They are not a true breed recognized by the APA (or ABA) and therefore are not eligible for any awards (although most shows take birds like these and award blue,red, and/or white ribbons in a production class or similar, especially in 4H. The post above by Bo Garrett is a fantastic one and gives great advice, so I won't repeat what was already said in a very eloquent manner.

 

[jenniferlaustin]

BGMatt. I will read through that. We have to show the chickens we bought through the 4-H. It's called chick chain. We purchase 25 chickens for $40 in the spring and then take 6 of them to the fair in the fall to show and auction. And then we get out money back and keep the test of the chickens.

 

[Bo Garrett]

Jennifer,
Red sex-links are a cross breed and will never compete in an APA or ABA sanctioned show due to that fact. You need to select a pure breed of poultry that best suits your needs and then purchase them from a proven breeder/exhibitor. I see you are in Summertown, ?? Since there are several Summertowns in the U.S. I cannot generalize and direct you to the best sources of poultry in your area but I can make some recommendations:
1. Get you an APA standard or ABA standard depending on if you wish to raise Large or Bantam Chickens. You can find these on the American Poultry Association website or the American Bantam Association website. Both are a very good buy considering the quality of the book.
2. Subscribe to the Poultry Press, a monthy poultry show news paper that covers all the poultry shows in the U.S. and Canada and has advertisements from many experienced breeders/exhibitors. This will give you some ideas as to who to contact for your specific needs.
3. Attend some poultry shows in your area, you can find out what shows are in your area by subscribing to the Poultry Press.

If you are sure of the breed/variety you want, PM me, I know lots of people in the fancy and may know someone who could provide you with good stock to get your show project started.

Blessings,

Bo

 

[jenniferlaustin]

The 4-H requires we show the red sex links at the fair. It's not a show.

 

[jenniferlaustin]

I Mis spoke. Nevermind.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

To win those types of shows, all you need do is to feed your birds and get them clean before the show. Don't choose birds that are undersized. Try to choose birds that are all about the same size and general shape. General color will help too. Ratty feathers won't do well and get the birds used to getting handled. I won't deal with a bird that sits there and rips my hand off. Automatic overlooking.

Make sure the birds have a nice wide pelvic area and that the birds are either laying or getting very close to laying. Sex-Links are bred for production, so the wider the pelvic bones, the better the bird. Also check the breast bone to make sure that it is not crooked.

Showing these 4H and FFA shows isn't anything like what the APA/ABA shows are like. (In that there is no "standard" for the sex-link.)

Now, if you'd like to get some REAL fun, join the APA shows! Those are a blast to go to and so fun to meet up with friends!

 

[fatcat512]

Can RIR be shown

 

[Bo Garrett]

Can RIR be shown

Yes, but the quality of the bird will dictate its ability to win its class. Production type Rhode Island Reds from a hatchery will not be able to complete against Standard Bred Rhode Island Reds bred by a proven breeder/exhibitor. There are some very good reds out there, go to the RIR website and locate some breeders or PM me and I'll give you some names.

Blessings,

Bo

 

[fatcat512]

Not intrested in buying just got some new ones but thanks for the information mabye next time I get new ones

 

[Cecisflock]

Hey! New here. Been raising 4-h chickens with my kids for about 3 years now.

I am looking for tips on how to raise better show chickens. We've learned so much about raising the chickens and ducks. Now my kids want to know why other chickens win instead of ours. They are red sex links.

Thanks for any input you can offer.

I honestly don’t think you can show sex-linked because they can’t be breed again