the best thing to do is to attend a show and ask a silkie breeder to show you what to look at!!!
You can talk to me anytime!!! Ill be more than happy to show you what to look for!!!
Ill be at
Greenriver-Oct 9
Bluegrass-Oct 23
Kentuckiana-Dec 18
Ok Ill explain showmanship and save the ones that cant the trouble!!!!
Showmanship:
there are three age groups you will compete against others your age!
when your showmanship class is called for you will bring your bird up to the designated area and your bird will be placed in its own cage or you will have to hold the bird!!!
when you hold the bird your middle and ring finger goes between the legs, the pointer finger and pinky finger clamp on the outer sides of the legs, resting the bird in the palm of your hand in front of you!
when you are called up to the judge you will pack the bird like ^^^ up to the judge!
The judge will then ask you to name the the 6 classes of Largefowl:
American, Asiatic, English, Mediterranean, Continental, and AOSB(All Other Standard Breeds)
Then the judge will ask for the 7 classes of Bantams:
Modern, Old English, SCCL(Single Comb Clean Legged), RCCL(Rose Comb Clean Legged), AOCCL(All Other Combs Clean Legged), Feather Legged, and Bantam Duck.
Judge will ask for parts of the bird and where they are located, you have to show them!
Then the judge will ask you what breed and variety(color) you are showing( in hand) and what class it falls in. example: Silkie- White- Feather Legged.
What are somethings in the standard that should be looked for in your breed. example: Medium crest, blue skin, turquoise earlobe, walnut comb, five toes.
Some defects or disqualifications in your breed. example: four toes, red skin comb or yellow skin, no crest.
There may be some questions about what you raise and how long youve been raising them... but this is about it!!! I did showmanship my first time and got 2nd over all and there was about 18 of us total(all ages). I didnt know a thing at the time... I had a friend teach me everything I needed to know 5 minutes before I went up haha!
Its not that bad there is some videos on youtube if you want to look them up... but it isnt exactly the same but it does teach you to hold the bird and some of the questions that will be asked!!!
