Is showing chickens expensive?

[ronkonkoma]

We've decided on silkies. Now I have to decide if I should get show quality or pet silkies. I'd like my children to experience it but I'm wondering how much does it usually cost? To enter, and do you buy special products etc?

 

[WooingWyandotte]

Have you considered showing chickens through 4h? Very helpful program for me, though I know it varies state to state, county to county.

As far as showing chickens goes...to buy nice SQ silkies they will be about $20 a bird (or more).

When I show my birds its a pretty easy process.

First, find some upcoming shows in your area; enter your birds according to class in a online form.

Prep your birds. There are several methods to prepping birds, so choose what you like.

Bring feeders/waterers that attach to cages (I've used zipties before).

And once you get there, you'll be told what to do by the people in charge.

I hope I answered your questions and I'm sure more people will reply with their showing "routine."

 

[MeatNeggs2012]

following. . . .

 

[ronkonkoma]

Thank you. How much is it in general to enter the show?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

There is a silkie breeder near me and she occasionally sells pullets for $25 or so, maybe a little more since that was a few years ago that I asked her.

So that is about what WooingWyandotte has heard of or experienced...about the same price.

 

[ronkonkoma]

The cost of the bird is not really a concern. I'm wondering how much it costs to enter the birds into the shows.

 

[WooingWyandotte]

There is a silkie breeder near me and she occasionally sells pullets for $25 or so, maybe a little more since that was a few years ago that I asked her.

So that is about what WooingWyandotte has heard of or experienced...about the same price.

Yeah, I know a really good silkie breeder on the W. coast and she sells her silkie pullets for $40 at least. So it can get pricey..

The cost of the bird is not really a concern. I'm wondering how much it costs to enter the birds into the shows.

And I've only ever entered in County fairs, the entry fees being no more then a couple bucks per bird. However for nicer shows it could be up to $8-$15...? Someone who's been to a big show would definitely know, thats just an estimate.

 

[ronkonkoma]

Oh. Ok cheap enough. I really had NO idea at all.

 

[WooingWyandotte]

Good luck.

 

[chickenboy100]

It's not really expensive. Maybe at like the Ohio Nationals it would be, but like our state's Farm Show isn't all that expensive. It's the one vacine that's bad for us, and mainly the shipping for it...