Newbie to showing, want to bring my Javas to the fair!

[sstarfish]

I've always wanted to do this, and now (at 33 years old!) I finally have chickens!

I have black Javas, and my roo is soooo handsome. My hen is cute too, but her back is all picked because she's the only hen I have and she gets a lot of "action"

(although I've been letting her out during the day by herself, so maybe her feathers will grow back enough by fair time).

I found the local fair's rule book online, but unfortunately it seems to assume that I already know about chickens.... and I'm a complete newb. How do I get a current pullorum test? Do I just drop off my chickens on the date specified and pick them up at the end of the fair? I'm assuming they take care of them there. I don't have a ton of free time (I'm a stay at home mom to 3 kids, ages 6 and under) and it says that I have to do a short shift to help set up/take down? Can I just show up and say, "Here's my chicken. It's a Java. Trust me! " or do I need some sort of proof of breed? Anyone have any fair showing advice to offer? Thanks!!

 

[groundpecker]

First you have to make sure your birds are showable. Look up the Standard of Perfection of your breed.
Next, you have to find a local T/P tester to come and test your birds ( They charge a minimum fee).
Then, fill out the appropriate paperwork for the show and deliver it.
Make sure the information on the paperwork is correct, or else you can be disqualified.
Often "short set-up/take-down' is not short at all. Be willing to spend a few hours there from the beginning, during, and after the show.

At most shows, you are responsible for feeding/watering your own birds. Just dropping them off and picking them up later is not a good idea.