What do I need to know about showing?

[MissJenny]

I might want to start showing my birds -- but I don't know where to begin? To those of you who show, where would I start? Are there county or regional shows? Are there unexpected downsides?

Tell me what you know about showing birds?


Thank you,
Jenny

 

[MissJenny]

Surely somebody can point me in a direction... anybody?


Thanks,
Jenny

 

[chickendales]

first u need show quailty bird
find where the locale shows are
look for breeder in ur area that have breed u want

 

[Coopa Cabana]

It would also help if you purchase a copy of either the APA or ABA Standard of Perfection, and study the standards for your particular breed(s).

 

[SlowMoneyFarm]

Spend $70 for SOP book. Open checkbook to buy birds. Travel cross country to show, not knowing if birds are actually showable. Sounds like buying a race horse would be a cheaper gamble. :-( Trying to find info here too but it's a secret.

 

[Oregon Blues]

You are in luck. There are poultry shows in Ohio, including a very large important one.

I don't have much information abouts showing chickens, since I don't have chickens. But the basics are that you clean them up and take them and put them in a cage and the judge comes by and judges them in the cage.

Unless you are showing 4-H, in which case there is an entire showmanship thing to learn.

You might want to go to a show or two to look.

Yes, buy a Standard of perfection and compare your birds to the standard. You don't want to show up at a show with hatchery quality birds. Or maybe you do and are showing just for the fun of it. But at least, either way, you should know whether or not your birds are show quality.

 

[NYREDS]

There's nothing secret about showing poultry but "what do I need to know?" is too broad a question. I've shown for nearly 50 years. I know a lot about it but I have neither the time nor inclination to try to type everything I know here. More specific questions I might try to answer.
You have already received 2 valid suggestions: buy a Standard, you can't show successfully without one & attend a couple of shows. People who show poultry [or dogs, horses, etc] are usually willing to talk about their birds & the processes involved. It's like learning any other new information, you have to do some homework.

 

[MissJenny]

Oh, thank you so much -- and I think my question wasn't so broad -- "where do I start?" Not broad at all. I got great answers... no need to be snarky.

I have been to the Ohio National -- it was wonderful!!I will look at some others too.

Thank you -- and this isn't for me -- it's for Louisa who thinks she's the living end and wants to strut her stuff.

Thanks,
Jenny

 

[stargazingmommy]

My kids plan to show their chickens at the county fair this year. I read the breed standards. For one and don't think she is show quality, but they want the experience. I talked to some of previous years judges and they said with the kids they do a lot of teaching while judging. Maybe youth shows are like that there, would he good to watch the process.

 

[MissJenny]

StargazinMommy, I would agree that with the 4-H kids, showing is more about the kids and less about the quality of the bird. I am involved in a chicken group that involves some 4-H kids -- during a demonstration as they prepared for fair, the advice they were given was to know about their bird, their bird care and be ready to speak with confidence and knowledge -- "My bird is a two year old Light Brahma Bantam who weighs 6 pounds. She has been laying for 32 weeks. Every day she eats a cup of crumbles and free choice of mixed vegetables that I grow in a garden especially for my birds... and on and on." They are much more concerned about the abilities and knowledge of the child.

Too bad I'm not a child.

Jenny