How many people who buy "show quality birds" actually show them??

[Fancie]

I have bought a few nice birds, but can't think of when I will actually show them. Is it okay to improve my own flock to be show standard rather than show quaility? I will have mixed colors, but my girls all have nice top hats, etc.

 

[Huny]

Show Quality is just stating that you are very close to the standard. Every responsible breeder should work towards the standard, in regards to color, size, temperament, vigor etc.

 

[nzpouter]

personally I never/ don't like to show bought birds.... I will show birds I bred off them, but not the original purchased birds.

 

[Black Feather]

I'm with nzpouter on this. I'd much rather show birds I've raised and picked out myself than show a bird I've bought.

As a breeder I also appreciate people who want to further the breed and raise future generations. I don't like people who just want to 'buy' a champion bird just so they can win and then never raise any chicks from those birds. The bloodline then dies out because the best quality birds don't reproduce themselves. This is one of the reasons I tend never to sell show quality birds and keep them in my own flock. On the odd occasion I will sell show quality birds to an established breeder that I know will work with the breed and continue to try and improve it.

I guess the original question depends on who the birds are sold to in the first place. Are they sold into a show home, or a pet home.

UC

 

[Katy]

I've never shown my birds nor do I have any plans to, but I do try and buy hatching eggs from the best birds I can find or afford. I'm also working to improve the birds I have by breeding my best ones just because I like the way a bird who is at least close to the standerd looks.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

show standard rather than show quaility

I don;t know what you mean by this​

 

[Msbear]

My original goal was to obtain the prettiest darn yard candy you've ever seen. I went to top breeders to ensure they would be just that. Now that In able to enjoy them on a everyday basis, I look forward to shows when I can... show them off to the world.

It also helps me connect with other breeders whom I can gain knowledge from. By paying close attention to the birds that beat mine, I learn what to strive for. Showing can be a lot of fun and it's great to be among people who love what I love.


Many hatcheries claim to carry a certian breed but thier stock can vary so far from standard that they actually aren't that breed or variety. I guess to answer your question, many just want to have nice stock to reproduce their own birds from. Some, like me, wanted the same thing but later decided to show the improved offspring and still others buy show birds specifically to show them and win.

 

[TimG]

Quote:
I do not mean to in any way criticize those who raise show birds or who think their show birds are prettier than my backyard mix.

But, I have been thinking recently that my small multi-color flock of imperfect hens is really a wonderful sight. I don't think it would be any prettier if it was made up of perfectly conforming standard specimens.

 

[Msbear]

Quote:
I do not mean to in any way criticize those who raise show birds or who think their show birds are prettier than my backyard mix.

But, I have been thinking recently that my small multi-color flock of imperfect hens is really a wonderful sight. I don't think it would be any prettier if it was made up of perfectly conforming standard specimens.

you, obviously, haven't seen my flock!!

 

[hinkjc]

Anybody can buy show birds, not everyone can breed/produce show birds.

If you're truly considering showing, you will want to keep your color varieties true to standard. Once you mix them up and start hatching, the offspring are basically mutts as they will not breed true to color anymore.