I have had chickens from time to time but have started getting interested in showing. I would like some thoughts on a good breed for the beginner on showing. Would also like to know what makes it a good breed to start with. Would prefer bantams.
Lots of experienced show folk to help you here. I'm not one of them but here is what I have learned from them. Choose a breed in Black or White that is easy to breed for color. Choose a breed without fancy extremities which need to be correct or points get deducted. Choose a popular show breed because you have a much better chance of finding top quality show stock. There is always a reason why rare breeds are rare. Buy started stock which the breeder has already appraised for quality at least once. Do not start out with eggs or baby chicks. Choose your breed, then find the top strains. If egg color is a hallmark for quality in the breed ( as in Marans) , cross check the egg show winners with the poultry show (conformation) winners and make a short list of people who are winning in both. Once you have a short list of winning breeders you are looking for a breeder who has a vintage line-bred strain which is winning in quality competition over multiple generations. This is important because it shows the breeder has a critical eye for quality and has used that in a dedicated fashion to stabilize a gene pool to a state of exellence where it can compete and win at the highest levels. Not just at county fairs. Buy your stock, Buy the best and don't quibble if you have to pay top dollar. It takes much dedication and many years to stabilize a poultry gene pool to the point where all the hallmarks are stable and of winning . quality. Stay in touch with the breeder. Have them counsel you on the 1st 3 generations of breeding until you learn how the strain inherits ad throws faults and virtues. Do not cross strains to found your flock. It's a huge mistake. There are so many sex-linked genes in poultry it will take you generatons of work to stabilize the gene pool again. Instead talk to the breeder and while you are setting up the 1st 3 generations of breeding, find out which related strains work best with the one you chose. If you feel in the future you need new blood, consult your breeder and those strains to figure out which are the best to include in your gene pool.. Best, Karen
Excellent advice. Follow the above. Start slow. Keep it simple. Main thing is start with a solid colored bird and focus on type. Learn to breed for type for awhile. When you have that down then attempt a colored variety of your chosen breed. If you find a mentor keep them. Mentors are priceless
