What do I need to do to show a chicken?

[RebelsHope]

Hey,

I have toyed with the idea of showing a chicken. I am wondering what I have to do. Paper work? Breed assn? I am assuming that I can't just show up at a show with my chicken. Are there any books or good sites for showing chickens?

I know I have to have a chicken that meets the breed standards, i was wondering beyond that.

Thanks

 

[bantymum]

Hi, do you have a breed in mind?
If so there are plenty of show people here that can help you with the breed that you choose, they all have different preps.
Try to find a local poultry club near you and contact them, and go to a meeting if they have them, then you will find out what the scene is like.
Dont worry if you feel left out, we all begin sometime.
You will get most satisfaction if you breed the bird yourself so that you" bred it". so a rooster and hens is a start.
Otherwise an easy way out is to get a young chicken or roo from elsewhere and train her to sit in a cage each day, gradually building up the time in there.
She needs to get used to being handled as well.
then washing and drying practice for both of you!!

I like bantams that will happily sit on top of the cage without wanting to take off!!
There should be some threads on training methods here, or perhaps someone can direct you, sorry I cant help there.

Good luck
Helen

 

[RebelsHope]

I had not thought about training. That was very interesting. I will do some searching to find more about that.

I guess I didn't ask my question very well.

If I want to show my dog, he would have to have AKC or UKC registration. I would have to have all shots etc.

If I wanted to show my horse at a local show. I just need to show up and have had a cog. and annual shots.

So my question is, if I want to show show a chicken. Does it have to be registered? Does it have to have certain paper work? Does it have to have a vet check?

 

[robin416]

In the all states your flock needs to be NPIP certified, some require more. Call your state vet to find out what the requirments are and to set up an appointment for testing. You will know on the spot how your birds came out, will be given a recpt and must show that before you can carry your birds in to the show hall.

When the vet or tech comes to test most if not all of your birds will have blood taken. It can get messy sometimes.

Almost all shows require pre-registration. There is a small cost associated with it. If you want to earn points on the breed you should be a member of that breed club and a member of the APA if standard and/or ABA if bantam.

The bird should be clean, bathing isn't difficult, free of parasites and in top condition. Most will supplement their birds before showing to help them through the stress. Handle it frequently at least two weeks before the show so it will be accepting of the handling by the judge.

Take it for a couple of car rides to see how it tolerates it. If the bird stresses, panting is a sign of stress, then the bird should not be shown.

If you want control over what it drinks and eats take your own food and water, the show hall will supply drink cups.

If you tell us where you live some of us can give you info on any shows coming up in your area.

 

[RebelsHope]

Thanks. I am in Wisconsin. I don't really have a chicken to show yet. Mine are all pretty small. Only about 8 weeks. I just wanted to start gathering information.