I need info on how to show chickens

[HalfAChanceFarm]

Wow!
Pathfinders you did a wonderful job explaining the shows. It is really fantastic.
Do you mind if I add a link to my website?

 

[Pathfinders]

Wow!
Pathfinders you did a wonderful job explaining the shows. It is really fantastic.
Do you mind if I add a link to my website?

Do you mean, is it ok if you put a link on your website to my articles? Of course not! Link away!

And thanks for your kind words. I find myself writing the stuff I wish I had found somewhere to read back when I was new to it all.

 

[Laci7210]

Pathfinders, I just checked out your website and the articles about showing and you did a wonderful job explaining! Soo helpful!!

I noticed that you mentioned something about the judge getting the birds out of the cage. What does the judge do when he/she get's the birds out? If they do get them out? I'm trying to decide if I should show because I have a silver laced cochin who I think is show quality! And I got 3 silkies today that aren't adults get but they will be able to show also. And I have a pair of old english duckwing bantams that are beautiful! I have a lot more but those are the ones that I would show. The bantams are shy and I don't really want them to get loose if they get them out! And I don't really like people holding my SLC. Shes like my baby and I'm kinda protective of her haha

And I would like to know what vet related stuff that they would need before the big day. Like what type of tests and what do they do to them when they take the tests? Any help is appreciated!! Thank you!

 

[Pathfinders]

Pathfinders, I just checked out your website and the articles about showing and you did a wonderful job explaining! Soo helpful!!

I noticed that you mentioned something about the judge getting the birds out of the cage. What does the judge do when he/she get's the birds out? If they do get them out? I'm trying to decide if I should show because I have a silver laced cochin who I think is show quality! And I got 3 silkies today that aren't adults get but they will be able to show also. And I have a pair of old english duckwing bantams that are beautiful! I have a lot more but those are the ones that I would show. The bantams are shy and I don't really want them to get loose if they get them out! And I don't really like people holding my SLC. Shes like my baby and I'm kinda protective of her haha

And I would like to know what vet related stuff that they would need before the big day. Like what type of tests and what do they do to them when they take the tests? Any help is appreciated!! Thank you!

When a judge takes your bird out of the cage, he's looking for a number of things:

- Weight, whether or not the bird is "light", which would speak to the presence of internal parasites.
- Condition: the judge will typically spread both wings out to check the feathers for good condition (lack of rips/tears etc.), and to ensure they are all there. He/she will also look at the patterns of birds with same, to ensure they meet the Standard for the breed. He/She will also check to be sure the bird is clean.
- Presence of external parasites: the judges will typically check the vent of the bird, to check for mites or lice.
- Head/Eyes/Beak: a good judge will also look at the head of the bird closely, to check for signs of illness around the eyes and nose, and to ensure the skull is formed correctly, the beak is trimmed, and the wattles and comb are correct for the breed.
- Feet and Legs: the judge will check to ensure the feet have the correct number of toes, feathering if they are feather footed, no stubs (of feathers) if they are not, straight toes, and a lack of leg mites (another external parasite.)

In regards to testing, you will need to have your birds blood tested for Pullorum/Typhoid before taking them to the vast majority of shows. You can arrange to have them tested with your State Vet's office, and there may or may not be a cost involved, depending on where you live. You can likely find your State Vet's Office by searching for it online. They should have a number you can call, and you can ask them about testing your poultry then.

Bottom line, if you're taking your birds to a show, you will need to have them used to being in a cage, and handled by humans beforehand. Birds that are very flighty and who race around a cage aren't considered to "show well" and won't do as well as another bird who is calm and not anxious about being in a cage.

 

[Laci7210]

When a judge takes your bird out of the cage, he's looking for a number of things:

- Weight, whether or not the bird is "light", which would speak to the presence of internal parasites.
- Condition: the judge will typically spread both wings out to check the feathers for good condition (lack of rips/tears etc.), and to ensure they are all there. He/she will also look at the patterns of birds with same, to ensure they meet the Standard for the breed. He/She will also check to be sure the bird is clean.
- Presence of external parasites: the judges will typically check the vent of the bird, to check for mites or lice.
- Head/Eyes/Beak: a good judge will also look at the head of the bird closely, to check for signs of illness around the eyes and nose, and to ensure the skull is formed correctly, the beak is trimmed, and the wattles and comb are correct for the breed.
- Feet and Legs: the judge will check to ensure the feet have the correct number of toes, feathering if they are feather footed, no stubs (of feathers) if they are not, straight toes, and a lack of leg mites (another external parasite.)

In regards to testing, you will need to have your birds blood tested for Pullorum/Typhoid before taking them to the vast majority of shows. You can arrange to have them tested with your State Vet's office, and there may or may not be a cost involved, depending on where you live. You can likely find your State Vet's Office by searching for it online. They should have a number you can call, and you can ask them about testing your poultry then.

Bottom line, if you're taking your birds to a show, you will need to have them used to being in a cage, and handled by humans beforehand. Birds that are very flighty and who race around a cage aren't considered to "show well" and won't do as well as another bird who is calm and not anxious about being in a cage.

Thank you! That helps a lot! So what does the vet do at the tests? Does he stick a needle in them? What type of things does the vet do? Thanks again!

 

[Pathfinders]

Thank you! That helps a lot! So what does the vet do at the tests? Does he stick a needle in them? What type of things does the vet do? Thanks again!

The vet or tester (not all testers are vets), will pick up each adult chicken, and using a special needle with a loop at the end, will prick the vein under a wing, and get a small sample of blood. This sample is then added to a spot of "antigen", which is laid out on a lighted board, so the tester can see if the blood makes the antigen react, which it would do if disease were present, by changing colors.

There's a short video here which shows how it's done:

(Not sure why that chicken has blinders on, perhaps there was a problem with pecking. But the video demonstrates pretty well how it's done.

 

[Laci7210]

The vet or tester (not all testers are vets), will pick up each adult chicken, and using a special needle with a loop at the end, will prick the vein under a wing, and get a small sample of blood. This sample is then added to a spot of "antigen", which is laid out on a lighted board, so the tester can see if the blood makes the antigen react, which it would do if disease were present, by changing colors. There's a short video here which shows how it's done:

(Not sure why that chicken has blinders on, perhaps there was a problem with pecking. But the video demonstrates pretty well how it's done.

Oh thanks! That really helped too!! How much money do they usually charge for the tests? And is there an entry fee at the shows?

 

[Pathfinders]

Oh thanks! That really helped too!! How much money do they usually charge for the tests? And is there an entry fee at the shows?

The cost for testing varies from state to state, with some states providing the service for free, and others charging for it. You will have to ask the State Vet's Office when you call them.

And yes, there is an entry fee at shows, it's how the show committee pays for the cost of the show itself (and I encourage folks who go to shows to participate in the various fund raisers, if the show puts one on as well.)

Typically, the entry fee is per bird, generally somewhere between $3 and $4. Some charge less, some more. Each show is different. The fee will be in the show catalogue.

 

[Laci7210]

O ok cool! You've been soo helpful!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!

 

[Pathfinders]

My pleasure! Happy to help as I can.