Showing Hatchery chickens

[Yontz710]

Quote:
I like that idea. Of the birds we get I could have a really good one and not know it!
Thanks so much and we are really looking forward to getting the fuzzy ones in a month. Can't wait!!!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

A lot of the breed clubs have web sites. Some have a page with the standard for their breed on it. The standard lists what a bird should look like. It also lists what exact things in a bird are disqualifications.

The breed club sites also usually have pictures of good quality birds, so you get an idea of what they should look like. Feathersite usually has links to breed club sites, on the breed pages. Or you can google them. You can also look at breeder's sites, to see what their birds look like. That can help you get a better idea of what you're looking for.

Before the world wide web was created, some of the show breeders were quietly selling eggs to MM. I think that's why I got some really beautiful birds in the past. These days, it's pretty easy for people to sell hatching eggs all over the country, with internet access. I don't know what their quality is like at the moment. I think there's a bit of luck involved.

 

[Yontz710]

Quote:
After showing livestock for the last 13 years, our family can testify that there is a lot of luck involved. You have to do all you can to prepare your animal to get it to be the best it can be, but then you have to have some luck that you will get the right judge, and that your animal is better than the competition you are at that day.
Thanks for the help, will be scouring the web to see what I can find on the breeds we have coming.
In any case the birds I have picked out will come to a good home, and I look forward to having them. Also hope we have some good ones, least nothing that is an embarrassment!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I meant there's luck involved in the quality of birds you get in a particular hatchery order, but you are absolutely right on all the rest, too, when it comes to showing.

I hope you get some nice looking chickens and have a lot of fun with them!

 

[dixiechick]

There is always a shot at showing hatchery birds. I spend a ton of money on good show quality birds, but my DD got it in her head for frizzles. So when a bunch of fellow chicken friends were getting up an order, I ordered her 8 frizzles to round out the order. All but 2 were female...and only one of those actually frizzled.

So then DD wants to show her with everyone else...and believe it or not...she's the one bringing in the biggest awards. So her $2 bird is beating the feathers off my DS's $100 bird!!

Hatchery showing is like the lottery....every once in a while, ya win.

 

[DawnSuiter]

My daughter is showing a couple of hatchery SLWs this year, they aren't GREAT looking but they'll do for show experience.

I'm sure that hatcheries can put out a good looking bird, but I can understand why it would be a better investment to get good quality stock from a breeder.

Just for comparison sake.. here is a hatchery GLW on the left and a breeders GLW on the right. My hatchery chick doesn't even hold a candle to the breeder birds.

 

[Yontz710]

Quote:
Ok show a novice why? It looks to me that the one on the right is a little nicer, but for the life of me I can't tell you why. Just more eye appealing. Point out some things that we should be looking for. Thanks.

 

[DawnSuiter]

Your eye caught the goods.

on the left... pale orange coloring, not a rich golden color
lacing is not as good, not as uniform and the lacing is THICK compared to the lovely slim lacing on the right
the neck (hackle) is also pretty orange with little black in it...
on the left too I think her body is too elongated.. long neck, long leggs... I believe the standard is a little more squatty & fluffy like the one on the right.
added: also her black feathers are dull & matte in color, while the breeders birds are a shiny silky black with a lovely green sheen.

She's a great egg layer, and my rooster loves her MORE than the breeders birds, but I'm certain the judges would like the breeders better.

the photos don't do them justice.. in person.. the chick on the left looks like a Halloween Decoration and on the right looks like a BEAUTIFUL rich golden colored fancy fowl.

each breed & variety has it's own standards though.. it only matters that you go with the APA standard fro whatever fowl you have.