Would like to start showing

[Buck Creek Chickens]

and I don't know were to begin. any help would be great. Books, advice, web sites, etc.....

 

[Teach97]

go to a local show and start asking questions

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

there's only 2 and there at least 2+ hour away, this fall

I tryed at state fair last aug but I was there when the 4-H kids were checking in

 

[Teach97]

State fairs and such usually aren't the best places to go for showing. I understand the drive issue...the closest for me has been 3 hrs...You just have to make that decision and commitment...do you want to show or just play at it?

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

The traveling is not a problem, I drive for a living, I just don't want to show up and have no idea about whats going on, and get in the way of those showing, you know courtesy

 

[DTchickens]

2+ hours for me too.. hope to make it up to tennessee as well though (5 hours). if you want to start showing... find a breed you want. go to their website and talk to as many people there as you can... Ask them all kinds of questions about the breed, keep/care, standard. stuff like that... if you become good friends you may even get some good birds out of the deal.

Try subscribing to the clubs year book as well... you can tell whose winning and all kinds of stuff like that (usually advertisements too). subscribe to the poultry press from show advertisements and all they're "goodies"

 

[Teach97]

Most of them like questions and getting someone involved. The best place to go is the sale birds. Granted there will be those trying to sell anything and willing to tell you anything but they are usully fairly easy to spot.

Realize that those shows are not about you at all...the birds are judged in a pen on their own. They are looked at for comparison to the breed standard. The birds being judged will be roped off and onl the judge is allowed in but folks usually stand around watching. Too be really competitive takes either a willingness to spend money on birds or space to raise and select birds. Get a copy of the breed standards and start looking at birds. The shows are a good place to get an idea of what the birds really look like and act like. Helps you to make up your mind. Most folks will talk in terms of lines (as in who breed them) certain names are known for better birds and winning shows so their lines demand more $$...

 

[blackred]

Get to the show about 9 am - that is when the judging begins and exhibitors are more likely to talk to you. Please don't ask questions while people are cooping in or out.

Don't be afraid to ask questions but then be sure and listen. Also remember that there are a lot of questions that there are no short answers to. If you ask 5 people you will probably get 5 answers

You are not going to learn everything there is to know at one show. Don't be afraid to fail. It is a process.

Don't buy the first bird you see, learn some things before you purchase.

Raise and show what you want. That way when you loose you will still enjoy your birds. I know a lot of people that only raise what wins the most and most of the time these people are miserable.

I wish my shows were only 2 hours away. Most of mine are 4-8 hours and we make about 10 of those a season.

Showing chickens is a lot of fun and can easily be started, but it may take a lifetime to master.


Bob