I need help showing!!!

[BantamLover21]

Hi! I've had chickens for about a year now and have learned a lot about them. I have just recently bought a pair of silver duckwing bantams and am interested in showing them. The only problem is that I have no idea where to start. I know you put them in this small cage with food and water but that's about all I know. Here are my questions!:

How many chickens ca you enter? It depends on the show. At smaller 4-H or county fair shows, you are often limited to one bird per age/gender class. For example, you could only enter one bird in the Rhode Island Red pullet class, or just one Light Brahma cock. There may be a total limit of birds at those smaller shows, too (like a maximum of 25). At larger, open club poultry shows, there is not usually a limit to the number of birds you can enter. If you have them, you could enter 50 Birchen Modern Game pullets, 5 Snowy Call ducks old males, 3 Black Jersey Giant hens, etc.
About how much is it to enter shows? This varies, too. At smaller 4-H or county fairs, entry is often free or really inexpensive, like $1.00 per bird. With most larger open poultry shows, though, entry fee prices tend to be about $2-$3 per bird.
Are thee different age groups? Most shows are divided into an open category (where adults and people older than 18 years old compete), and a Junior category (where young people participate). Some shows, like 4-H shows, are only Junior. Other parts of showing, like poultry showmanship, may be further divided into Junior, Intermediate, and Senior age levels. However, showmanship is not a mandatory part of showing at most shows.
What do you wear? Depends on the show and method of judging. At 4-H shows or smaller county fair shows, you often have to bring your birds up to a row of cages for judging. In such cases, it is recommended to wear black pants or jeans and a white shirt. That makes you and your bird appear clean/neat, and avoids distracting the judge with lots of color or images. At larger open shows, though, what you wear doesn't really matter.
Are you present while your chicken is judged? It varies. At smaller, 4-H shows, you bring your bird up to a judge for it to be judged, so you do have to be present. However, at other shows, you simply put your bird in a cage and the judge will eventually come along and look at it. You don't have to be present for judging at shows like that, though it can certainly be fun (and nerve-wracking) to watch how well your bird does.
What are the chickens judged on? All poultry, including chickens, are judged on how well they fit into their "breed standard," which is an ideal appearance described by the American Poultry Association (APA) and/or American Bantam Association (ABA). The APA publishes an important book known as the American Standard of Perfection that lists all of the breeds/varieties of poultry that are recognized by it (and therefore are eligible for high awards at shows) and the correct body type, color, and physical features of each breed/variety. Each breed of poultry has its own ideal appearance. Judges study the Standard, and use the information in it to determine each bird's faults (known as defects, or disqualifications) and strong points. The bird with the fewest defects gets placed highest, followed by the lesser birds. If you really want to get into showing poultry, I would definitely recommend purchasing the American Standard of Perfection, studying what your birds should look like, and then deciding which ones to show. Keep in mind, though, that no bird is perfect.
Basically I need the entire rundown on showing chickens because I don't know anyone who shows them. Any tips will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!!

 

[Wyandottes7]

Welcome to BYC.

I'm so glad you joined our community!

You've received some good advice already. Good luck with any future shows!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!