There are shows, and then there are shows...

[Sonoran Silkies]

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SURE it is. And just about every hatchery or swap meet purchase entered by it's present owner (not the breeder) with no competition, but which has a cutesy name, and wins a first place ribbon is one of those "excellent examples of its breed". SURE it is.

My point, which seems to be a bit obscure to you, is that the number of entries neither guarantees quality or the lack of quality.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

AMEN, sistah! Preach it!

 

[Koolduck]

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As I understand it, at a sanctioned show...No. Birds are judged first on SOP. If they don't come close, they dont place. A judge does not have to, nor should they, place an inferior bird. Now I showed horses for a few years and that was the same theory for those shows...didn't always happen though. I decided after inconsistant judging to keep my $$$ in my pocket and take my Beauty Queen ribbon winner on camping trail riding trips instead. Both of us have much more fun! She loves to see the turkey and deer in the mountains!

 

[NYREDS]

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No. I have, on rare occassions, started a clas at 2nd & gone down from there because there wasn't a bird I thought was deserving of a 1st placing.

 

[Katy]

That's the way I would hope it would be, but Professionsal makes it sound like no matter whether there's a deserving bird or not there's going to be a first place bird. I've never shown and only been to a couple of shows other than the county fair type.

 

[Professional]

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In MOST cases, only one bird entered = first place, unless it's horrible, like NYREDS wrote. I've seen it happen too, when a poor bird get's a second, but it's few and far between. In most cases the judge just doesn't have the time to waste even thinking about what to do with some of these obscur entries, or these hatchery birds which in no way measure up to show quality stock, so yes, often the Pink Breasted Naked Neck Langshan just gets a first, and by days end its owner is online bragging about how Henrietta is now a show quality chicken. MANY birds which are truly not deserving of an award do get placed first without competition. The judge knows that they have no hope going any further in the class, so it's just easier that way, rather than have to explain to poor broken hearted Ms Novice why he gave Fluffy a second out of one.

 

[Professional]

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Thankfully, you are one here who gets it. Although a novice to exhibiting poultry, you are no amateur. I'm now ashamed to admit that I started out exhibiting dogs too. You can have it, but one thing it did instill in me is a certain sophistication, and a true understanding of the nature of exhibiting show quality animals, which the general public is so lacking.

I second what NYREDS said. Poultry do ship very well, especially at this time of year. Check with Don Schrider if you want Buckeyes.

 

[rcentner]

1500 chickens in one place!? I would love to attend a show like that, think there are events like that in new york state?

 

[Birch Run Farm]

I agree, but there's more to it. Even at real, legitimate shows, those sanctioned by the APA, we see people who enter some obscure breed or variety, have no competition, and try to fool everyone, including themselves, into thinking that they have something worthwhlie when they win a "first place ribbon". I see it here all the time, and wonder how people can be so ignorant.

Professional,

You make it sound like rare breeds should not be bothered with. Anyway, I am still waiting for a ribbon to be pinned on my 'obscure' breeds. Maybe when the judges are more familiar with them that will happen.

 

[Msbear]

Birch Run, do you have pink-bodied naked neck langshans?