Xerocles
Songster
First, a disclaimer. I wouldn't recognize the penultimate example of the SOP for any breed if it came up and pecked me on the nose. I am a rank novice who is trying to learn. And I took the advice of some wonderful people here on BYC to "go to as many shows and talk to as many people as you can". And I agree that this is great advice. I would add a caveat though. Skip the SC State Fair.
Though I also know nothing about super luxury cars, I can recognize one that has been wrecked. And I saw a bunch of wrecks today! I am sure that transport of chickens, being placed in relatively small cages and being exposed to strange fingers being poked into cages despite signs to the contrary will take a toal on the looks, feathers, and demeanor of any animal. But many (most?) of these birds were pitiful. Feathers missing, broken, disheveled. Some in early molt (yeah, I guess its that time of year, but I don't think I'd be showing them if that happened). And if there was ANY bird of ANY breed that fit its SOP, then I'm not interested in that breed. Those chickens were ugly! #2 disclaimer. A breed I have publicly, on this forum, stated that I wouldn't even accept as a gift because IMHO, they are an ugly breed, the silky, was the best looking chicken there! Dispite my disfavor of the breed, this silky was poised, not a feather out of place, and impressive. (It hurt to say that!)
As far as talking to people, there was a handwritten note on each cage with owners name, sex of chicken, and breed. No way to contact any owner even if I did want to discuss their chicken or breed. I drove an hour and a half to get here. Two nights lodging (intending to observe the actual judging tomorrow to see if I could pick up pointers from the judges). And to add insult to injury, I learned the judging will be at 10:00 a.m. AND THE DOORS DON'T OPEN TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL 11:00 a.m. BTW, today I arrived 10 minutes before doors opening, and it took 25 minutes after opening to get inside.
I'm disgusted, but not defeated. Next week is the Union County Agricultural fair, hosted by Clemson University (one of the more prestigious agricultural institutions in the country) and its only 30 minutes away. Hoping for the best! And in Feb is the APA show below Atlanta, Ga. More than a 4 hour drive, but I am betting I won't see anything as discouraging as I saw today.
Thanks for letting me rant. I had my hopes so high of seeing some impressive chickens. Would have been better off staying home and looking at my mutts (EEs). At least they are pleasing to the eye.
Though I also know nothing about super luxury cars, I can recognize one that has been wrecked. And I saw a bunch of wrecks today! I am sure that transport of chickens, being placed in relatively small cages and being exposed to strange fingers being poked into cages despite signs to the contrary will take a toal on the looks, feathers, and demeanor of any animal. But many (most?) of these birds were pitiful. Feathers missing, broken, disheveled. Some in early molt (yeah, I guess its that time of year, but I don't think I'd be showing them if that happened). And if there was ANY bird of ANY breed that fit its SOP, then I'm not interested in that breed. Those chickens were ugly! #2 disclaimer. A breed I have publicly, on this forum, stated that I wouldn't even accept as a gift because IMHO, they are an ugly breed, the silky, was the best looking chicken there! Dispite my disfavor of the breed, this silky was poised, not a feather out of place, and impressive. (It hurt to say that!)
As far as talking to people, there was a handwritten note on each cage with owners name, sex of chicken, and breed. No way to contact any owner even if I did want to discuss their chicken or breed. I drove an hour and a half to get here. Two nights lodging (intending to observe the actual judging tomorrow to see if I could pick up pointers from the judges). And to add insult to injury, I learned the judging will be at 10:00 a.m. AND THE DOORS DON'T OPEN TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL 11:00 a.m. BTW, today I arrived 10 minutes before doors opening, and it took 25 minutes after opening to get inside.
I'm disgusted, but not defeated. Next week is the Union County Agricultural fair, hosted by Clemson University (one of the more prestigious agricultural institutions in the country) and its only 30 minutes away. Hoping for the best! And in Feb is the APA show below Atlanta, Ga. More than a 4 hour drive, but I am betting I won't see anything as discouraging as I saw today.
Thanks for letting me rant. I had my hopes so high of seeing some impressive chickens. Would have been better off staying home and looking at my mutts (EEs). At least they are pleasing to the eye.
