How to show chickens ,What class are presented, How to choose a nice baby for future exibition, How

[IAssa Dreams]

Most of us are new to chickens many people are here withthe knowledge to guide us in these areas of concern.

Questions that concern us are

How do we chose a nice pickof the Nest. What can we see in our babies that would mark a chick for future examination as a possible show prospect


Withmost of us we are newbies and do not have a clue to what principals are needed to answer these questions. ? Is there a Catalog of exibitors aviable to the public which covers the standard of each breed and what points are given for specific specimines which to show us Why and what was the criterrier for the choice of placements within the breed winner.

My breeds are Amercannas Orpingtons OE Dutch bantoms and the BeautifulMarans of the various colloring.


Vague refferences to a line of chickens for each flock seem to fit most Flock breeders but what birds are the best examples of the breed and what flocks contain those lines. I am a strugeling Newbie. I see the absolute value in the answers to these questions in creating a line of birds which will give more overall unity to each line . Can you help me and the many others who wish to learn and produce the Chickens of the future which incorporates

Lines and the benefiets of each flock and which birds are the major contributors to the prescribed qualities that line produces. How do your birds conform to laying and production of young birds and which lines focus on these needs of production along with type ect.


cOME POST YOUR PICTURES AND STANDARDS AND LETS GATHER AROUND SUCH PICTURES AND lOOK AT THE BEST EACH BREED HAS TO OFFER AND HOW TO PRODUCE THOSE QUALITIES IN EACH VARIETY OF EACH BREED.

iN OTHER WORDS YOU VERY KNOWLAGABLE PEOPLE HELP US TO NOT ADD MORE CHICKENS TO THE POPULATION BUT HELP US TO PRODUCE THE VERY QUALITIES WHICH SHOULD BE AT THE VERY HEART OF EACH BREEDING PROGRAM.

 

[BGMatt]

Best thing you can do is go to the American Poultry Association's website and order the Standard of Perfection. It has answers to all of your question.

 

[Bo Garrett]

BGMATT is correct, get an APA (American Poultry Association) and ABA (American Bantam Association) standard and read it from cover to cover with special emphasis on your specific breeds.
I would then recommend getting a subscription to the Poultry Press. This is a monthly newspaper which chronicles the various shows throughout the nation and has many excellent articles on the breeding and showing of various breeds. The Press also contains information on upcoming shows and classified ads from breeders who are willing to share their stock with others.
Find some shows in your area and attend them, stand back and listen, watch and learn. Serious poultry keepers respect those who have a genuine interest in keeping exhibition poultry and have even more respect for those who are willing to use the proper terminology for the various Class, Breed, Variety and Sex classifications set forth in the Standards. If you go to a sanctioned poultry show and drop the word "Roo" you'll most likely be quickly discounted by most serious fanciers, this is not me being mean, just very truthful.
Remember that a quality show bird begins in the breeding pen, if you start with substandard stock you will end up with substandard stock, read the Press and see who is winning the shows, these are the birds the judges feel best reflect the Standard description.
Even if you have the best breeding stock in the world, if you don't care for them properly with the right nutrition, clean water and good facilities you'll never realize your goal of a show winning bird.
Lastly and most importantly, just enjoy the keeping and showing of fowl and the fellowship of some of the best people in the world, winning is not everything!

Blessings,

Bo

 

[IAssa Dreams]

Thank you Bo.
As we read throough this material I hope you and others who are willing to help a Serious beginner get the basics will continue to participate on this Question and Answer list.