Show Breeds

[batchhatchin]

I was thinking of showing a few birds myself and was wondering what if any prizes or money is awarded. I've been in hobbies that are judged my entire life and understand the whole paying your "dues" in most events. Just wondering if poultry shows are more anonymous or less political than other events. I don't have time to mess with politics and don't care to pay dues to the in crowd any more.

 

[Fred's Hens]

I was thinking of showing a few birds myself and was wondering what if any prizes or money is awarded. I've been in hobbies that are judged my entire life and understand the whole paying your "dues" in most events. Just wondering if poultry shows are more anonymous or less political than other events. I don't have time to mess with politics and don't care to pay dues to the in crowd any more.

Wherever humans are involved, there is politics of some kind. Is it less in the poultry world? I believe so, but that is merely a subjective opining.

Yes, there are sometimes certain, rather small, cash amounts put forward by certain sponsors at certain show for certain reasons. How's that for clarity? haha.

There are few things I've enjoyed more, now in my retirement, than having the time to fuss with top notch birds and showing them. I have found the camaraderie to be first rate. I wish you well.

There are proper steps to take to find your path in this endeavor more meaningful, smooth and enriching. A mentor who will help you learn the ropes, is the single biggest beginning step, as is securing the very best trio or quad of the very best stock you can secure of the breed you choose. Best regards

 

[KeriT]

Does anyone know where I can get good show quality dark Cornish breeding stock? They are really hard to find close to me. I don't want to order from hatcheries, they don't have quality show stock. I would like to have a flock that is true to breed standards.
I am near Greenville SC - thanks

 

[Fred's Hens]

Here's what true of 90% of these high quality birds, birds bred to standard and likely to produce birds of quality to exhibit.

No, they're not available from hatcheries.
Yes, they have to be gotten from fanciers who keep, breed, improve, and exhibit them. That breeder is very likely to a major player in the breed club for that breed. One is wise to start there. Join that club and get involved. There, usually through that famous social media site, one starts to rub shoulders with people who share a love for that breed and know all the tops breeders, who's who and who might have stock for sale. Breeders show for reasons of peer review and to share the hobby. The love of the breed comes first and breeding and exhibitions follow naturally. It would be extremely rare to find a truly reputable breeder who hasn't exhibited his/her stock for peer review and self evaluation for inner blindness.

Exhibitions themselves provide a major transaction place for stock. Arrangements for stock are often pre-arranged or at least, breeders can be met, hands get shaken, introductions made and friendship forged.

This isn't a business like a hatchery is. This is a hobby and these birds are kept by hobbyists. You've got to go into that world to know who's who. Join the APA or ABA and you'll receive a yearbook. In that thick yearbook are advertisements and contact information posted by great breeders of all the major breeds and by some of the most obscure. But you gotta join the APA to actually get that yearbook. Again, this is a hobby not a business, per se. You've got to get into that world to get hooked up. Just the way it is.

So hopefully, you'll re-read carefully what I've shared and you'll be on your way. It's how I got into this and it is how everyone gets into this. Social networking and connecting. One well known social networking site has literally hundreds of breed specific "groups" where the birds are discussed and friendships and acquaintances made. That's how it is done. Since it sin't done the way folks here get chicks from a feedstore or a hatchery catalog or online site, it seems a mystery to so many people. It isn't really meant to be a secret society and it is far from being one. But it is a hobby, not an advertised business so social networking, by phone, in person at a show, by connecting? You'll it done. That is truly how it is done. It's pretty good stuff.

 

[KeriT]

Here's what true of 90% of these high quality birds, birds bred to standard and likely to produce birds of quality to exhibit.

No, they're not available from hatcheries.
Yes, they have to be gotten from fanciers who keep, breed, improve, and exhibit them.  That breeder is very likely to a major player in the breed club for that breed.  One is wise to start there.  Join that club and get involved.  There, usually through that famous social media site, one starts to rub shoulders with people who share a love for that breed and know all the tops breeders, who's who and who might have stock for sale. Breeders show for reasons of peer review and to share the hobby.  The love of the breed comes first and breeding and exhibitions follow naturally.  It would be extremely rare to find a truly reputable breeder who hasn't exhibited his/her stock for peer review and self evaluation for inner blindness. 

Exhibitions themselves provide a major transaction place for stock.  Arrangements for stock are often pre-arranged or at least, breeders can be met, hands get shaken, introductions made and friendship forged.  

This isn't a business like a hatchery is.  This is a hobby and these birds are kept by hobbyists.  You've got to go into that world to know who's who.  Join the APA or ABA and you'll receive a yearbook. In that thick yearbook are advertisements and contact information posted by great breeders of all the major breeds and by some of the most obscure.  But you gotta join the APA to actually get that yearbook.  Again, this is a hobby not a business, per se.  You've got to get into that world to get hooked up.  Just the way it is.

So hopefully, you'll re-read carefully what I've shared and you'll be on your way.  It's how I got into this and it is how everyone gets into this.  Social networking and connecting.  One well known social networking site has literally hundreds of breed specific "groups" where the birds are discussed and friendships and acquaintances made.  That's how it is done.  Since it sin't done the way folks here get chicks from a feedstore or a hatchery catalog or online site, it seems a mystery to so many people.  It isn't really meant to be a secret society and it is far from being one.  But it is a hobby, not an advertised business so social networking, by phone, in person at a show, by connecting? You'll it done. That is truly how it is done.  It's pretty good stuff.  

Thank you for your advice but I'm not looking to show, I just don't want the stock they have at the hatcheries. I am only a small free range setup and am just looking for quality birds for personal use. I feel any breeding of heritage breeds should be done to at least maintain breed standards. I just thought maybe there was a farm that sold what I am looking for.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Thank you for your advice

but I'm not looking to show, I just don't want the stock they have at the hatcheries. I am only a small free range setup and am just looking for quality birds for personal use. I feel any breeding of heritage breeds should be done to at least maintain breed standards. I just thought maybe there was a farm that sold what I am looking for.

That's fine and you have an admirable and good goal, but my advice still stands, it's entirely up to you.
I'm a farmer, a homesteader and I share your goals as well. You'll perhaps come to see this isn't incongruent at all.
I wish you all the best and best of luck in your search.

 

[Berisas]

I know this is an old request but if you are still looking for LF Cornish you can try getting in touch with Mark Beasley he is the president of the ICBA. He is in Barmwell, SC