Many 4H shows are just about poultry handling and raising birds for the kids. It's fine. Fairs are all over the map. Some fairs are sanctioned shows and play by ABA and APA rules and have a licensed judge(s). Others hire a "judge" who is not licensed at all.
ABA/APA sanctioned shows are for purebred poultry, poultry bred to the breed's standard as written and described in the Standard of Perfection that each poultry livestock association prints. It is essential to own, read, understand and apply the Standard as this will be the basis of judged birds.
Preparing your birds for shows involves "conditioning" them which involves keep them in top feather form. You'll also want to condition them or get them used to being in a show cage and very used to being "handled" by the judge. Taming them really.
You'll also want to read those links I posted you toward earlier. Birds need to be spotlessly cleaned to show their best at the shows and just like the showing of other livestock there are lots of tricks of presenting them in their shinest, richest feather condition.
At most shows, there's little sense in bringing sub-par birds. The competition can be stiff and you'll need to breed and raise great stock and the learning curve is steep. Learning to breed and exhibition the birds you breed is an excellent life-long hobby. I'd suggest you get a mentor in the breed(s) you select. That's the way this is done, for the most part. There's a lot to learn, believe me. Find a breed that interests you and begin there. Join the APA and or ABA and talk to folks in the breed club of your chosen breed.
