Showing money

[Illia]

Quote:
Technically yes. The way most fairs are run, I'm sure you can pick up a free or cheap rooster or hen from just about any source, show it, and have a chance at winning.

Not meaning to offend, just saying - There's a lot of fairs out there that just judge by what they think is "pretty," mutts included. And hey, there's plenty free roosters out there.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Quote:
Let me blow your mind real quick.

For example....lets say that you bought a chuck at a feed store. You wanted a hen so you purchased it from the pullet tank. That's... $2.50. So then you bought feed. One chick, the 5lbs feed should do it. That's $4.99. Then you have to provide heat for about 4 weeks which is an additional $10 per month. Water is minute in price at this point...so..you have a general running total of:

Chick: 2.50
feed: 4.99
Heat 10.00

Total is $17.49 and that's not including more feed that you will have had to purchase after you ran out of the 5 lbs sack. Even winning money, you're still in the hole $11.49. But, the experience and fun you have while showing is priceless.

 

[snowbird]

I disagree with most. I know of a few stringmen that still show large strings at the State fairs in the midwest and I believe they collect more than they are out.

 

[WallTenters]

Ask them. Ask them if they really make money.

Oh, and what about labour? That's a pretty meager existence.. better hope you only need to eat chicken!

 

[blackred]

Quote:
The big difference between the old string men and the new stringmen is that the old ones would put the birds on a train and send them off to a dozen shows across the country and never see the birds again. Modern day stringmen will have to do what you and I do. Drive to the fair and spend the night. The overhead is much greater now.

 

[Black Cochin Bantams]

Quote:
I agree that you do not make money showing your chickens. However if you have winning birds people will want to buy birds, chicks, eggs. It will probably can never be more than a hobby but it may be self supporting.

 

[backyardmenagerie]

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I agree that you do not make money showing your chickens. However if you have winning birds people will want to buy birds, chicks, eggs. It will probably can never be more than a hobby but it may be self supporting.

Exactly what I was going to say. Just like showing any other animal, their accolades make them and their offspring more valuable. Have you ever seen big-time dog show people? They don't win money showing, but their pups go for thousands of dollars. In the end, most serious show-ers break even, between what they put into exhibiting their animals and what they get from the offspring they produce.

 

[TK Poultry]

I made $20 profit one month TWO YEARS AGO! That was the last time a profit was made. I was selling 2 dozen duck hatching eggs every few days though. I no longer have those ducks so that means no profit. AND I don't think I've ever won prize money at a show. A few years ago they took away 4H premiums so even showing at the county fair I still don't win anything.

 

[muddyhorse]

it costs 1.50 to enter at our fair and you win 4.00. at some APA shows there is a little payback put up by individuals. for exhample when kaylee won jr champion feather leg with one of the white silkies she got $10
at this county fair the same bird won BV, BB, best banty, best chicken, and best in show she came home with $ 9.00

We also have an incentive fund program for people that show birds hatched from our chicks. BV $4.00 BB $5.0

 

[WallTenters]

The payouts in open shows are much more, but there's stiff competition. However, as folks have said before, it's more about advertising, and having fun.