New Jersey

[zach N houdan]

Bellefarm, you might also want to consider the Delmarva Show, in March in Harrington, DE.  It's a great show about the size of Sussex - people very friendly, and doable in a day trip.(They have a great buffet next door at the casino, too!)  It's much easier to spend time - and locate! - the breeders at smaller shows.  

Delmarva is April 5 and 6th this year. We will be showing there for the first time.

 

[BelleFarm]

Thank you for the advice, I will look into these shows

 

[JerseyHen]

This is for everyone, not just this post:

Whenever you're looking for specific birds, no matter the breed, the first thing you should do is check out that breed's club website or FB page, and also see if there's a thread for that breed on BYC. Some clubs will only hand out breeder's names with a membership, others will give you a list of breeders near you. Since NJ is pretty much a chicken desert compared to other states, this is your best bet. (Plus, I'll be honest, some of these breeders aren't just going to hand over the birds they've worked on for thirty years to someone who hasn't "paid their dues" by becoming active in the breed club, or been a presence on the web sites, or introduced themselves to the breeders at shows. I can't say that I blame them.) I remember saying that almost every bird I have has come from another state, except for the Jersey Giants. Good luck!

I sometimes post in the state threads when I am hoping to be able to pick up eggs or meet at a show/swap for them though, I really dislike having my eggs mailed and most of the breeders on the breed pages are not local to us. Sometimes I get lucky. Not often though. I missed the congress again, maybe next year.

 

[mame1616]

Quote:
When you only post on the state threads, you are really limiting yourself, We've had people come to Sussex from as far away as Wisconsin! (Granted, that was for a special meet, but still...) We regularly have folks from several states in New England, and as far south as Virginia. When YOU travel to other shows to meet breeders, that opens up the possibilities even more! Always check the breed pages, and ask the breeders what shows they will be attending. That way, you can pick up your eggs/birds from them in person. Saves the hassle of hoping and missing out in the sale area. That's where I get my birds.

Too bad you missed the Congress - it was an awesome show!

 

[chickengirl1193]

I live in sussex and im going to go to the show in may! I dont know if I have any birds that are SQ. I have 4 hatchery pullets (2 Delawares a RIR and a barred rock and I know they all have faults) and 8 EEs that are 3 weeks old that have a better chance. Is there a category I could enter thats for beginners just to learn how to show and get experience thats maybe not for points ?
Also im not sure if any one brings their birds to the sussex county fair in August, that might only be 4-H but I'll be showing my goats there

 

[JerseyHen]

When you only post on the state threads, you are really limiting yourself, We've had people come to Sussex from as far away as Wisconsin! (Granted, that was for a special meet, but still...) We regularly have folks from several states in New England, and as far south as Virginia. When YOU travel to other shows to meet breeders, that opens up the possibilities even more! Always check the breed pages, and ask the breeders what shows they will be attending. That way, you can pick up your eggs/birds from them in person. Saves the hassle of hoping and missing out in the sale area. That's where I get my birds.

Too bad you missed the Congress - it was an awesome show!

I also post in the breed pages, and the show/swap pages, but I still do the state pages too, that was all I was saying... I was going to pick up some eggs at the congress, oh well, life intervened. With any luck I will be picking up some eggies from Zach at the spring show. I am going to be hip deep in chickies this spring. I should start showing sometime. I just can't get my head around giving a chicken a bath.

 

[mame1616]

Quote:
Ha-ha! You just got to jump in to the bathing thing! Had to wash 20 birds for the last show!

 

[mame1616]

I live in sussex and im going to go to the show in may! I dont know if I have any birds that are SQ. I have 4 hatchery pullets (2 Delawares a RIR and a barred rock and I know they all have faults) and 8 EEs that are 3 weeks old that have a better chance. Is there a category I could enter thats for beginners just to learn how to show and get experience thats maybe not for points ?
Also im not sure if any one brings their birds to the sussex county fair in August, that might only be 4-H but I'll be showing my goats there

Hun, you cannot show EE's at our regular shows, only at the state fair in August. EE's are technically mutts. Anyone can show pretty much anything at that show. The best thing I can suggest is to come to a regular show and ask a lot of questions first, before showing, so you know what's what, and see what the exhibition fowl look like. There are no beginner sections - sorry. You can learn a lot more about showing chickens through 4H.

 

[chickengirl1193]

Hun, you cannot show EE's at our regular shows, only at the state fair in August.  EE's are technically mutts.  Anyone can show pretty much anything at that show.  The best thing I can suggest is to come to a regular show and ask a lot of questions first, before showing, so you know what's what, and see what the exhibition fowl look like.  There are no beginner sections - sorry.  You can learn a lot more about showing chickens through 4H.

Okay ill probably come and just ask lots of questions. Thanks

 

[mame1616]

Quote:
What I always recommend is, between now and the next show, to keep a notebook handy and fill it with questions as they come to you. Bring it to the show, and ask the exhibitors. Don't forget it! I can guarantee that you won't remember half of them once you get distracted by all the birds.