Where the HECK to start??

[chicamarun]

OK - if you don't know me (as I don't have time to come on here very often at ALL) - may name is Dana and I am a chicken addict.... however..... I'm not picky on breeds and crosses and anything that lays an egg ROCKS. Currently I have about 800 laying birds free ranging, 200 or so cornish X to butcher.... and 50 baby turkey who I am hoping do not decide to give up on life before Thanksgiving.

Here's the thing..... our 4-H county fair is this week and this is the 1st year we are SHOWING poultry. I am the co-leader and this is all new to me as well. BUT - my 9 (soon to be 10) year old daughter just thinks this is awesome - and she got a RESERVE CHAMPION BANTAM HEN for her little buff seabright.

I THINK she could really get into showing birds like this. She has a natural gift with animals and is doing really well with her goats and lambs as well.... but she hangs out with her chicken all the time now that she can. To the point I am thinking this little one should be put in a cage so she can personally tend to it herself.

So HOW do I get her started with showing birds? Where the HECK do I start? I've never heard of too many local shows (next to washington, dc so it's not super rural anymore)....

I think some of these other kids would want to do other shows as well....so if I could share I think it would be a HUGE help!!

Thank you guys!!!

If I'm slow returning it's because our show is still going on - we have Poultry Showmanship this afternoon and then we are done showing.... it's been a long past 2 days

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

http://www.apa-abayouthprogramsite.org/ is a good place to start. Find a local poultry club--you might check with your county extension office to see if they know of any. You can also subscribe to Poultry Press, a monthly newspaper specializing in poultry exhibition. Join the ABA and/or APA. Their newsletters contain contact information for different parts of the country. Since she is interested in sebrights, join the breed club (I assume ther is one--feathersite usually lists club links at the beginning of each breed page).

Many poultry shows are not held in ultra rural areas--the clubs hold them at locations where they can draw and host a large crowd. That means hotels/motels, eateries and reasonably easy access (so often near a major highway).