How do you show poultry showmanship?? help!!

[Rainbow Egg]

I have two kids going to state fair with poultry they want to show showmanship. One is 10 and is showing Black Orp. The other is 14 & is showing Bantam Cochins.

We have never shown showmanship before what are some of the questions they will be asked? How should they dress. What should they study? Do we need to rewash the chicken? What do they have to know?

Thanks.

 

[TK Poultry]

when I show in showmanship at the 4H level I just wear street dress....this year I wore a Tshirt and a pair of Khaki shorts that I picked up from Hollister! The questions will differ at each lever. I'm 15 and in the senior division (a little brag session here I won Senior Showman this year) and they asked me questions like what about a single comb breed and what are some DQ's associated with the comb. or name the differences between an Ameraucana and an Auraucana. They also asked me about the axel feathers. But in my sisters level which is beginner they asked her what are some breeds in the featherlegged class, what are some breeds in the American class. they also asked her more about their care and their name and things of that nature. I think that is all they asked us


you don't have to rewash your birds....they will usually do showmanship right after the show classes so your bird is still in good condition. Their is really no "studying" its just a matter of overall poultry knowledge that they have accumulated during their project

 

[poltroon]

They should know the parts of the chicken. They should know the different combs. They should know the breed and variety of the chicken they are showing, its age, and the other standard varieties for that breed. Know some breeds in each class. At Novice, the questions will not be too difficult.

If they are in 4H, they should wear the 4H uniform. If not, I would just go for neat. Hair short, neatly combed, or braided. I would do a shirt with a collar and long pants/jeans with conservative shoes (not bright neon sneakers).

They will be asked to examine the bird, which has a set routine. If you don't know it, there's a good handout. Try googling, or I could possibly scan it for you. They will be asked to walk the birds on a table - they will need a short stick, like a 12" dowel or piece of bamboo, used to guide the bird. (No hands when walking.) They will be asked to put the chicken in a cage, latch it, and take it out again (head first every time except for frizzles). They should watch the judge and stand pleasantly at attention when it is not their turn.

 

[Rainbow Egg]

Thanks.