How old do chickens need to be to enter shows?

[feather leg farms]

I have some chickens that are not chicks but not pullets or cockerels either. They are so pretty and possible show quality. How old should they be to enter in shows in NC?

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

My son is showing a 9wk old at a county 4-H fair, but we have been told that is outrageously too young, that they should be 4-5 months old. We are new, and did not know to get our birds earlier.

Exhibtion or Show Quality entails so mouch beyond just looking lovely. Perhaps you could attend one of these shows as a visitor before you sign up to show? Then you can get an idea of what the judges might be looking for in your breed of bird.

 

[loverOFchickens]

Do NOT show them so early that they hurt them when they test them.
We tried that yesterday and one blew a vein.

 

[feather leg farms]

I'm sorry.

 

[Pathfinders]

Generally for 4-H shows you can sometimes get away with showing a 4 or 5 month old bird, but really, most birds/breeds should be at least 7 to 8 months old (if not older) to be taken to a show, especially an Open ABA/APA show.

Sorry to hear about the one who was tested too early, I presume it died?