Starting a show flock....opinions please.

[ThePolishPrincess]

The easiest types of colors are the ones with little or no pattern, because then you don't have to start worrying about "What if this little section here is wrong...?" or "I don't think that part is supposed to have that coloring.", etc. You'd have less to worry about if you stick with blacks and blues and whites, in my limited opinion, because if there are any faults at all, it wouldn't be hard to tell. And if not, that's one less thing to be worried about.

I've heard that Cochins are easy to handle and show. I'd personally go with bantams for exhibiting because I naturally, for my age, have small hands and find it much easier to handle a bantam bird and not worry about them getting flustered and jumping away. Also, they're easier to keep (eat less, less messes), and I have a built-in love for 'everything smaller'.

I personally don't see it as a con but people tend to complain about bantams because they lay smaller eggs than those of their large fowl counterparts. If you really want bigger birds aslo, perhaps divide the coop.

 

[jenjscott]

There are very few large fowl shown by Jrs. I don't know how old she is, but if she is big enough to handle the large fowl, It would be something "different". However, if she is questionable on the handling or is afraid of them at all, she would be better of with the bantams.

 

[SQbrahmas]

Contact Tom Roebuck. His website : http://gff.cochinsrule.com/

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
Yes, getting a pattern correct can take work. However splash is irregular, no pattern to it. Colour-wise about the only thing you have to worry about is making sure there is no red feathering. But as I said, it isn't a recognised variety for the bantams, at least. Every colour has its challenges. With a kid, expecially just starting out, let them get what they want. Try to steer them towards what they will do well with, but let them follow their heart. They will stay interested longer.

 

[poltroon]

Quote:
But kids also like to win, so I've been taking to heart some advice that I came across, to have a few birds in an 'easy' color that has good type as a "reference". Then those birds, even if they aren't the favorite, can still go and show, and you can see how it all pans out.

I too would suggest bantams. You can have more, they're easier for the kids to handle, etc. The only downside is that they are more vulnerable to hawks etc.