What breeds to enter?

[AtlantisPeeps]

Next year I'm looking to enter my pullets into the fair for the first time. I don't know what breeds are best though. Are are EEs allowed? I have RSL, BO, LO, BlueO, BPR, SS, EE, and GLW. What's the best breed to enter?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

SS and BOs are gorgeous!!

 

[ramirezframing]

I would suggest buying a Standard of Perfection book if you want to show or breed quality birds.
It will help you out a lot.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Your county extension office is your most likely source of information regarding what is/isn't an acceptable entry for your county's fair. Some will be more strict than others with regards to things such as mixed breed birds (your EE).
Are you looking to enter as an "open class" entry (not every county offers open class on livestock) or as a 4-H participant or? Again, this is where your extension agent will be a great resource as to what is/isn't available for your specific county and fair.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Has this year's fair for your county already happened? If not, I would suggest going to the fair, walking through the poultry barn, attending the poultry show(s), etc to get an idea of what is popular/not in your county as it can vary a lot from one locality to the next (and, even from one year to the next as the judges tend to change year to year and every judge has their favorites as far as breed, type, etc).

 

[poltroon]

The first question is what kind of classes this fair has and whether it gets an APA judge. If the judge is APA, then what matters is that you have the best possible example of a breed. Judges don't care what breed it is as long as it is meeting the guidelines in the Standard of Perfection. (An easter egger will not, for example.)

You can check the fair book to see how many entries you are allowed. It may be that there is a class for each breed, or it may be that it is set up as "Large Fowl Clean-legged Pullets."

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

I would suggest buying a Standard of Perfection book if you want to show or breed quality birds.
It will help you out a lot.

Agreed. You can even get one that is a little bit older for cheaper, they don't change to much over the years.

 

[AtlantisPeeps]

Thanks guys! I will look into that book and head over to the fair and take a look.

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Thanks guys! I will look into that book and head over to the fair and take a look.

Greetings AtlantisPeeps!

So, just for food for thought:

There is a HUGE difference between most fairs and a sanctioned APA/ABA show, and the kind of stock that is expected to be in attendance at the one is not expected at the other.

Exhibition poultry is related to APA/ABA events; some fairs are APA/ABA sanctioned, and this seems to be random and regional. In New England, for example, they are completely separate. We only bring birds to one fair in the entire North East, but we bring birds to every APA/ABA show in the region.

Chances are, if your birds come from a hatchery, they're not going to be up to snuff to enter into an APA/ABA sanctioned show. To find APA/ABA sanctioned shows, subscribe to the Poultry Press. It's a good rag that helps you familiarize yourself with the when's and where's of exhibition poultry.

 

[AtlantisPeeps]

Greetings AtlantisPeeps!

So, just for food for thought:

There is a HUGE difference between most fairs and a sanctioned APA/ABA show, and the kind of stock that is expected to be in attendance at the one is not expected at the other.

Exhibition poultry is related to APA/ABA events; some fairs are APA/ABA sanctioned, and this seems to be random and regional.  In New England, for example, they are completely separate.  We only bring birds to one fair in the entire North East, but we bring birds to every APA/ABA show in the region. 

Chances are, if your birds come from a hatchery, they're not going to be up to snuff to enter into an APA/ABA sanctioned show.  To find APA/ABA sanctioned shows, subscribe to the Poultry Press.  It's a good rag that helps you familiarize yourself with the when's and where's of exhibition poultry.

I didn't get mine from a hatchery, I got them from a private quality breeder. Thanks!