Show quality?

[peeps7]

I'm thinking about taking my EE roo and some of my cochins to a show or fair and was just wondering what show quality would be.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

They judge on how close your bird matches the breed standard. Competition is sanctioned by the APA or ABA.

The breed standards are published in a book by the APA.

http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/

There is also an American Bantam Association, ABA for bantam breeds.

http://www.bantamclub.com/

 

[peeps7]

What???????

 

[Mac in Wisco]

The American Poultry Association publishes a book that contains a description of each breed. It will tell you what shape your chicken should be, what color, what type of comb, what weight it should be, and a number of other things. This is what is referred to as the breed "standard". It is a description of what the perfect example of that breed should look like. The birds that come closest to fitting that description are judged the winners.

Most shows or fairs follow American Poultry Association or American Bantam Association rules for judging.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

If you are younger there is Youth Showmanship. They don't just judge the bird so much as they judge you and your bird. You would make a presentation to a judge showing your bird. You would have to know the breed standard, be able to handle your bird confidently, and be able to answer any questions the judge may have about your bird.

Check here for info:

http://apa-abayouthprogramsite.org/showmanship.htm