Showing chickens?

[scooby]

i am wondering about show chickens,i would like to get my daughter(and me) involved in showing chickens for like 4-h or local fairs, ect. but i dont know the first thing or where to start. how or where do you get show quality chickens? what are the standards for show chickens? does it vary with the breed? what about my chickens from the hatchery, would they be good enough? ect,ect? can some one point me in a direction to start or give me some pointers? thanks so much!!

 

[LilPeeps]

If you're looking for show birds, go with a breeder. Hatcheries breed for quantity rather than quality. You can get a copy of the Standard of Perfection, this will list the requirements for all recognized breeds. You can get a black and white copy from the APA site for $14 shipped http://amerpoultryassn.com/APA_ShoppingMall3.htm

What breeds are you interested in?

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Every breed of chicken is judged by the Standard Of Perfection (or SOP). The American Poultry Association (APA) sells these standards on their website.

I have the $14.00 black and white copy. Each breed is judged based on that particular breeds standard. It's VERY much like a dog show.

You get good birds by purchasing from a breeder or creating your own line. Personally, I prefer to start with a breeder and eventually make my own lines.

For 4-H or FFA, they may have a "showmanship" class. This class is judging YOU...not your birds. It judges your knowledge, handling, etc. of your bird. An APA sanctioned show will be judging the birds themselves. Depending on the quality of the birds in the show, hatchery birds may do very well. But an APA approved judge will know the difference before he/she walks into the building.

 

[Tailfeathers]

Hi,

Welcome to the Feather Fanciers Addiction!

I would echo the above and add a suggestion to go to the local County & State Fairs, look for Poultry Clubs in your area and go to their shows.

Getting started is easy. Just find out who the Superintendent is or someone else who is entering birds. Get your Entry Forms completed and Entry Fees paid and then go have fun. Don't worry about not knowing what you're doing. You'll find folks extremely helpful and informative.

If you start out by buying birds from a reputable breeder, you might even be surprised to find out that you win something the first time you go!

God Bless,

 

[scooby]

i dont know what breed i'm thinkin maybe giant jersey the 2 i have are pretty docile and managable. where would i find breeders at? i live in a pretty rural area in utah, so it would probably be the local fair once a year to begin with.

 

[ChickenCop]

You can try here....I do know she will ship to you.

Maria Hall

P.O. Box 172

Scottsburg, IN 47170

812-752-7825

[email protected]


Maria's Jersey Giants

Since 1976

Show Quality Blue, Black, Splash Jersey Giants

Hatching Eggs, Chicks, Started Birds, Adults

(edited website address, apparently not working at this time)

 

[ChickenCop]

Here's a listing of several different types of breeders for exhibition poultry.....
http://www.ohionational.org/breeders.html

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

For Jersey Giants:
Robert Vaughn has the best birds I've seen in a long time. He's the president of the Jersey Giant Club.

http://nationaljerseygiantclub.com/

 

[Tailfeathers]

Quote:
One of the best places to start with when looking for breeders is the applicable breed club.

I know the Ameraucanas Breeders Club has a list of all those who breed what as well as what and how they will sell.

God Bless,

 

[scooby]

so about how much should i expect to pay for a show bird? and is it better to get eggs, chick or adult?