Thinking about entering my first show....

[jettgirl24]

Hi Guys,

I've always thought it would be fun to show my birds a little bit and I found out this weekend that if I enter them in the open class at the fair I get 3 free tickets to the fair for each bird I enter.... So I figure what the heck, we can have a little fun and take the kids to the fair for free!

I have a lot of questions though since I've never done this before. I'm definitely going to be entering my Silkie. She's really gorgeous and from what I can tell from the APA standard she's very correct so I'm not worried about being laughed out of the show with her

My other birds are not quite as lovely as she is though... They are nice quality but realistically they aren't show quality. I'm thinking of taking one or both of my BRs and maybe my Faverolle depending on how she fills out. I don't expect to go there and clean up with these guys but I just want to make sure I'm not going to get laughed at! Is it ok to take birds that are maybe not top notch quality just to get out there and try it?

Also, how do you house them at the show? I remember from my visits to the poultry barns that they were in wire cages but I can't recall if they are housed separately or if I would have all of my birds in a larger cage together?

And last question - I promise... There are actually two fairs that I can go to. One is really close to my house and it's a really good time but smaller than the fair that happens in September. The later one is a way bigger and more fun fair (really cool rides

) but it's about an hour and a half away. For the fair that is a bit of a hike from my house, would I have to be there the entire time they are exhibited? Or can you leave them some food/water and skip a day? I feel like I would worry about leaving them but is that a common thing to do?

Sorry if these are really stupid/obvious questions.... Like I said, I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing here

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

First of all, you will NOT be laughed at!

And if you feel comfortable with your birds, then you should not worry!

Second of all...APA or not...it's a fair. I'm not bashing fairs at all, they're my favorite type of competition to participate in, but they're typically alot more 'laid back' than an APA show dedicated to just the chickens. At least the ones that I have been to. My state fair happens to be my favorite one that I participate in annually.

I love the atmosphere. So I wouldn't be so concerned with bringing the absolute best birds and 'getting laughed at'. Just bring what you have to offer.

And don't worry.

Every show is different. I've seen cages disigned for pairs (I'm not sure how that's judged?) But normally, it's 1 bird per cage. You just buy however many cages you need and you will either get your cage number info the day of, or in the mail beforehand. Depending upon the show.

You do not have to be present the entire time. I'm under the impression that as soon as you coop in, you can take off and come back any part of the day you'd like, to check up (or feed/water). For day-shows, some people just take off and come back to claim their bird when the show is over. You can skip a day if the animal has what they need.

I hope this helped. Shows are alot of fun.

 

[jettgirl24]

Ok good, I'm glad I won't get laughed at!!! LOL

I'm kind of excited about this, I think it will be really fun! I'm entering one chick for each family member at the Fair near our house, then we'll decide if we'll enter them in the one farther away. I'm entering my Silkie, my boyfriend is entering our Faverolle, and the kids are each entering a BR

I also just found out that management at both fairs will feed and water twice a day for you at no charge so it looks like I don't have to worry about them if I leave them.