What do I need to do in order to show my chickens at the fair?

[Rockland Farm]

I f i were to put my chicken in the local fair this september, do i need to get any paperwork, shots, etc., in order to enter him? (*this is my first time obviously) plus, any tips for showing chickens?

 

[Pathfinders]

It depends on what your state's requirements are. Here in KY we have to have our birds tested for Pullorum/Typhoid, but it's free, and can be done at the last minute at the show itself (which is not ideal, but can be done.)

Your best bet is to talk to the fair and ask them. Or call your State Vet's office.

And if you like, you can check out the articles on my website about prepping for shows and how to show and such:

http://www.pathfindersfarm.com/Articles.html

And my advice is, go for it! Showing chickens is fun.

 

[Rockland Farm]

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that was very helpful

 

[Pathfinders]

Quote:
You're quite welcome.

 

[muzzles&nuzzles]

Besides preparing your birds here are some other things to think about.
I took my own water, feed and bedding, electrolytes, hand sanitizer and frozen water in pop bottles.
I took a pyrythrim powder to put in the bedding and adams flea and tick to put on the birds. I also took a bottle of bleach and water to sanitize the cages before I put my birds in. We have silkies so we took something to "groom" them with. I showed white birds so I took baby wipes. I bought some posterboard (which I used on one cage) to keep any other birds from pecking or bothering my birds. One year it was super hot so I went and got a little rotating table top fan to put by the cages. Granted I kinda knew the guy that ran the tent and he was probably way more understanding than some other people may have been. I helped set up cages and tear them down though and did various other things to help out because no one else would help.

I had younger pullets one year though and I lost them because the heat was so bad. I didn't show after that. It was fun but so much work and losing my best little girls was really hard. Some people just throw their birds in cages and don't come take care of them all week.
Don't forget to quarantine your birds after you get home.

Don't let me discourage you. My daughter has a ton of ribbons for the years we showed and she also got prize money. I had her pic taken professionally with her hen. It is great when you win all the top ribbons and everyone walks up to you and asks if your the one with all the winning birds. LOL Also, It taught my kids responsibility and was a great reward for all the time they put into the birds at home. It also was great for the kids because they got to talk to APA judges that gave them advice on each bird. Like what to breed into the lines to get this or that. They gave some pretty frank answers about what the birds were lacking also.

PLus...washing and blowdrying all those birds with my kids was so much dang fun.

 

[Pathfinders]

muzzles&nuzzles :

Besides preparing your birds here are some other things to think about.
I took my own water, feed and bedding, electrolytes, hand sanitizer and frozen water in pop bottles.

All excellent ideas.

muzzles&nuzzles :

I took a pyrythrim powder to put in the bedding and adams flea and tick to put on the birds.

FWIW, it might be best to wait until after the judge has finished before using either of these things (although they are good to prevent mites from getting on your birds during a show. If I, as a judge, smelled either Sevin or Adams on a bird, I'd worry they had mites before being cooped in, and might think negatively about such a bird.

muzzles&nuzzles :

I bought some posterboard (which I used on one cage) to keep any other birds from pecking or bothering my birds.

Be aware that at sanctioned ABA/APA shows using any barrier between cages that is not transparent is not allowed. Judges need to be able to look down a row and see all the birds, and white posterboard would prevent that. If you are concerned about birds interacting through cages, it's best to use clear acetate (plastic) to keep them apart. That is allowed, but opaque dividers are not.

muzzles&nuzzles :

Don't forget to quarantine your birds after you get home.

Absolutely! Ideally one would quarantine for at least two to four weeks after each show (although during a busy show season that might not be possible.)

Great advice M&N!​

 

[dixiechick]

make sure you WASH and GROOM your birds too. Judges like a nice clean, de-pooed bird. File nails and beaks.

 

[Pathfinders]

Yes, Condition is worth 10 points on the judge's score card, so washing and other clean-up things are important.

See this short article for tips on washing a bird for a show:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4512807_wash-a-chicken.html

 

[Rockland Farm]

Thank you SO much everybody! i really needed that advice But one more question... how do I know if my bird is show quality? (I have an easter egger) What should i look for in my birds to choose the best one?

 

[Pathfinders]

Quote:
I am presuming you are hoping to show at the County Fair level, as showing an Easter Egger at a sanctioned ABA/APA show is going to be frustrating for you.

That being said, you would want your EE to resemble a purebred Ameraucana as much as possible. Here is the Standard for Ameraucanas:

http://www.ameraucana.org/standard.html

And here are some photos to compare your bird to:

http://www.ameraucana.org/scrapbook.html

Hope that helps!