how to show...

[allmychickens]

tips on how to show a chicken (showmanship).....

 

[princess chicken]

I'll tag on to this... could use tips myself! I have some advice though: start with a calm bird that likes you and wont try to pick a fight while you open his wing!

 

[Year of the Rooster]

As princess chicken has already stated, pick a bird that won't struggle against you. One part of showmanship is that you have taken the time to work with your birds to the point where they are as tame as can be. This also includes properly taking the bird out of the cage, holding it properly, and handing it off to the judge properly, then putting it back it the cage properly.

The rest of showmanship consists of your poultry knowledge. Some things you may need to know are:

1. different comb types in chickens
2. different types of feathers on the body
3. body parts
4. breed history and background
5. poultry diseases
6. poultry husbandry practices
7. other poultry terminology (e.g. the meaning of 'dual purpose')

Depending on how it is done at your fair, you may just have to know chickens or you may need to know things about all poultry (ducks, geese, turkeys, etc.).

Something to also be aware of is attire. At our county fair, poultry exhibitors are required to where a white shirt with black/dark pants and black shoes, especially for showmanship as this can be a deciding factor for a close tie. But as I said, it depends on what rules your fair has.