What birds to show?

[briarpatchfarms]

Quote:
To be honest the silkies are one breed that isnt showed by many people!

There are tons of silkies more then any other breed at least at the shows I have been to lately maybe it depends on what area your in though.

Henry

Your in Maryland there is 5 or 6 big breeder/exhibtors there in your state! In Ky its just me and Donna McCormmick

 

[Matt A NC]

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In this area(NC/SC) the smaller shows average about 15-20 silkies per show and 20-30 for the larger shows. That is WAY UP from just a couple years ago when some shows had ZERO. Several backyard folks and small breeders are getting into pets and showing their fluffy birds.

Shows around here are big on Old English game bantams. They will be about half the birds in each show. Bantam cochins, bantam Rocks, and bantam brahmas normally have a respectable number of birds. D'Anvers, d'Uccles, sebrights, Booted bantams, and Japs can have a nice showing, but sometimes are lacking. Most other breeds are usually few in numbers. There are some I know I have forgotten.

Standard Sized Show Birds are few in numbers at shows in this area. They are increasing a bit, but still lacking. The bantams are just easier to show and handle. I doupt I will be showing my standard cochins very often anymore. Alot of work getting just 2-3 ready for show. Not to mention the amount of FOOD they go through.

I have shown my Bantams Faverolles a few times, but never had any competition so I don't show them very often. Last few shows have had some Dutch bantams, but not many. I am thinking about showing some of mine. That is if I can keep them from dusting in the carolina clay soil. A Blue Cream Light Brown with red feathers on her back just doesn't show well and that don't wash out.

Matt

 

[TK Poultry]

There are a couple more good silkie breeders in indiana.....cochins (here) are unbelieveable competitive!!! Ameraucanas arent competitive at all there is only like two or three good ones here and I'm just starting out! I have RIR bantams and there is only one bigger breeder here!

At one show i went to there was ONE real ameraucana at the show and that was a blue wheaton bantam pullet! and then there were 3 LF EE pullets

 

[hcammack]

Quote:
In this area(NC/SC) the smaller shows average about 15-20 silkies per show and 20-30 for the larger shows. That is WAY UP from just a couple years ago when some shows had ZERO. Several backyard folks and small breeders are getting into pets and showing their fluffy birds.

Shows around here are big on Old English game bantams. They will be about half the birds in each show. Bantam cochins, bantam Rocks, and bantam brahmas normally have a respectable number of birds. D'Anvers, d'Uccles, sebrights, Booted bantams, and Japs can have a nice showing, but sometimes are lacking. Most other breeds are usually few in numbers. There are some I know I have forgotten.

Standard Sized Show Birds are few in numbers at shows in this area. They are increasing a bit, but still lacking. The bantams are just easier to show and handle. I doupt I will be showing my standard cochins very often anymore. Alot of work getting just 2-3 ready for show. Not to mention the amount of FOOD they go through.

I have shown my Bantams Faverolles a few times, but never had any competition so I don't show them very often. Last few shows have had some Dutch bantams, but not many. I am thinking about showing some of mine. That is if I can keep them from dusting in the carolina clay soil. A Blue Cream Light Brown with red feathers on her back just doesn't show well and that don't wash out.

Matt

I haven never had competition with my bantam favs. There were about 30 splash silkies alone at the last show I went to I think half the birds at the show were silkies. These are smaller shows though but silkies were definitely the most popular breed there. I wonder what the deal is I guess its was just the York and Susquehanna poultry clubs maybe there are just a few silkie breeder overloading out shows. I know I have never seen another fav at a show here so maybe I am comparing the silkies unfairly to my four birds ha ha I am right next to the silkies usually with my favs.

Henry

 

[NYREDS]

As I said in a similar thread-if you "win" in a class with no competition what have you won?

 

[silkieluver_07]

I show at most of the shows Henry shows at. I must say that the silkies are major competition!! Ols english game bantams and bantam cochins are the popular breeds too. I like showing my silkies because even if mine are now where near the quality of the other breeders, I can learn from them to improve my stock. I also show my rosecombs and standard cochins and there isn't typically much competition. I've gotten many BB with my rosecombs but its hard to beat a nice Sebright to get on champion row. I have gotten Reserve Jr. and Champion Jr. Asiatic with my cochins though

 

[Matt A NC]

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Exactly, unless the bird goes wins in an upper section like best/reserve feather leg. Then you have something to brag about.

I also like to have an actual Judge look at my birds to see if they agree with what I think. I showed Francesca for the fun of it. She is a bit lacking in the beard, her fifth toe should have better placement, and she has an odd feather at the bottom of her tail. Considering the quality of silkies, cochins, and brahmas around here I knew she would not go any further then best Faverolle. That was just against her brother. I can't brag about that, but at least I was confirmed on her faults.

Her other problem was that she expects a treat when you handle her. While the Judge was trying to go over her, she wouldn't quit following his hand with her head and pecking at it from time to time. OK, so she is really spoiled.

Matt

 

[hcammack]

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I felt cheated I know that I have pretty good faverolles but I wanted at least a little competition and for the judge to confirm that they were quality birds! I would rather have competition then have everyone walk by and ask me what are those things? That is why I get frustrated when people talk about showing "rare" birds what does a BB mean when there are not other birds of that breed NOTHING!