One of the things I am concerned about with the recent emphasis in this thread on show wins is, that newcomers to the breed will come here and feel overwhelmed or as if they are unwelcome if they do not show.
Winning at shows is not a requirement for being a good breeder of a given breed of chickens. Let's be very clear on that. Showing is helpful, if for no other reason than to prevent "barn blindness" and to give you the opportunity to see other people's birds and talk to them about the breed you're working with (networking with friends is my favorite part of shows!) But showing your birds, even winning at shows, is not a requirement for being a good breeder.
Case in point: Donna McCormick. Donna used to live north of me. She bred Grey Silkies and Tolbunt Polish for many, many years (decades.) She never showed them. When I met Donna and saw her birds I was absolutely bowled over by their quality. Type was as close to perfect as it gets. Color was astounding. Yet, she'd never set foot in a showroom. She bred to the Standard, and it worked.
I convinced Donna to come with me to a show one fall. She entered just a few birds, and won! It fired her up, and she wound up showing for several years, invariably winning wherever she went. I personally feel she has (had?) the very best Grey Silkies in North America, and I am not the only one who has said so. Sadly, about two years ago her husband passed away from cancer, and she had to downsize and move away. I haven't heard from her in a long time, and don't know if she still has birds. But the point is, Donna didn't need to show to breed excellent birds. Nor does anyone else.
And another thing that seems to get lost in the huzzah over those who do show is the cost! Showing is not cheap. It costs money to attend even a one-day show. Entry fees, clean up fees, gas, wear and tear on the vehicle, time away from the farm (and hiring help if need be for two day shows.) All these things cost money. That doesn't include the cost of an ad placed in Poultry Press if you win, and the cost of dining out, and the hotel room! Showing isn't cheap. And for some people, it's just not in their budget. I know for us, we had to stop showing in the spring of 2010 because we had two kids who were getting ready for college, and believe me when I say (for those of you who don't have kids in college yet), if you think you know how much college and related expenses cost, you don't. Add about 25 to 50% onto what you think it's going to cost, and you might be close.
Or perhaps someone has lost their job. Or been downsized. Or furloughed. And they can't afford to go to shows. That doesn't mean they don't do their very best to breed the best birds they can! It just means, that for whatever reason, they're not out there chasing trophies. It's not something anyone should be scorned for.
Now I will say, I applaud the efforts Joe has made getting the Buckeye breed in front of judges. The more different judges we get these birds in front of, the larger the classes they have to judge, the better. And it's a good thing more and more people are showing them! And it's really pretty awesome to have them on Champion Row, it really is, I've never said any different.
But I don't think that people who don't show their birds, for whatever reason, should be made to feel like second class citizens in here. There's just no need for that. This thread should encompass anyone who is interested in Buckeyes, from the high end show breeder, to the simple farmstead owner who just wants a couple of wonderful birds.
I mean, isn't that what this thread is all about folks? Inclusiveness. That's the name of the game, IMO.
((getting down off of soapbox now))
