Showing a chicken is really enjoyable, and being around other poultry enthusiasts who will talk chicken with you all day? That's even better. People will sit around talking with their birds in their laps or walk around cuddling them. But don’t let that fool you; they really know what they're doing, so if you want to compete you had better come prepared. I really enjoy taking my birds to the fairs and shows. I think my birds like it too, so this article will be about how to properly prepare a chicken for the shows. It will also include techniques and tips based on my experience and advice I have received.
My Best of Fair Winner, Sophie
Step 0-Before you even think about it
If you want to seriously compete, you will need show birds. The APA standard of perfection (the best book ever) lists all recognized poultry breeds. You could enter a mutt chicken that matches some of the descriptions but it probably wouldn’t score very high. Every now and then you will find a winner, but typically your average Tractor Supply chicken, while a perfect darling in their own way, will not be any competition against a true master.
And then there is Honey, a Buff Orpington from a farming store. She won Champion English last year so it is possible, just unlikely.
First you have to know what breed your bird is. This shouldn’t prove too difficult, but if you’re struggling the people on this sight could probably help.
Next you need to know if your bird is a hen, pullet, cock, or cockerel. Don’t laugh, those Silkies are hard to determine.
My Silkie “hen” who just started crowing.
For those of you who don’t know or just don’t remember, a hen is a female chicken over one year old, a pullet is a female chicken under one year old, a cock is a male chicken over one year, and a cockerel is a male chicken under one year old.
Step 1-1 Month Before
About a month before the show, fair, or other poultry event, check your bird carefully for any sign of injury, illness, or, (heaven forbid) mites. I made the mistake of not checking until the day before the show and they had a slight case of mites. You just can't show a bird with mites so they had to stay home, which was frustrating but completely my fault. Now I will check at least a month before and ever week up to the show.
If you have free range birds with feather on their feet, putting them in a smaller area with a wood chip floor reduces the chance that they will break them and gives already broken feathers a chance to grow back. An all wood cage will also help keep the tails looking nice. When chickens are in metal cages they rub against the metal which caches and rips their tails. Not pretty.
Another thing to watch for is anything less than a normal healthy bird would have So no ripped combs, missing toes, cross bites, or missing main tail or wing feathers. If you just want the experience you want a well behaved bird that will tolerate being picked up and carried around. But if you're trying for that big fancy Champion Poultry ribbon, only bring your best.
Step 2-1 Week Before
The week before the show trim all the beaks, toenails, and spurs that need it, this way they will have time to grow back and smooth out the sharp edges. As I’ve been told, nothing is worse than an overgrown beak. If you have never trimmed a beak before this website explains how.
https://www.hobbyfarms.com/trim-chickens-beak/
This is an overgrown beak.
This is the same hen with her beak trimmed.
Rooster spurs should not curve towards the leg. If they do, you can just keep slowly trimming them shorter and shorter until they don’t point towards the leg.
This is an acceptable spur.
This one, if allowed to grow will go straight towards his leg.
Step 3-1 Day Before
The day before truck in wash their feet! In my opinion filthy chicken feet are worse than an overgrown beak. A toothbrush works good, just be gentle so as not to damage their scales. If they need it, you can give them a full body wash. If so, do it a few days before to let them dry completely and get their feathers back to normal. You can also use a Q-tip to carefully wash their face and beak. Chicken beaks, in my experience, are usually filthy.
Cardboard boxes are considered the best mode of transportation, but I don’t like sticking my fancy show birds in a box. It seems a bit undignified. I use cat carriers; some people use rabbit carriers, again, metal is not recommended, it will ruin their perfect feathers.
Step 4-The Day Of
You’re here! Chickens everywhere you look! Are you ready to win? Maybe, but there are a few things yet that make your birds a bit nicer looking.
Step 5-After the Show
And now it’s all over until next year. Sadness. If this was your first poultry show and you want to continue, a mentor would be a great help. Connecting with other poultry breeders in your area would also be a good move. All those mistakes you might make on your own? Someone has already made them and might have a better way of doing things. And if you made a bunch of new friends you can talk chicken (or argue whether or not ducks are better) all year long.
Good Luck!
My Best of Fair Winner, Sophie
Step 0-Before you even think about it
If you want to seriously compete, you will need show birds. The APA standard of perfection (the best book ever) lists all recognized poultry breeds. You could enter a mutt chicken that matches some of the descriptions but it probably wouldn’t score very high. Every now and then you will find a winner, but typically your average Tractor Supply chicken, while a perfect darling in their own way, will not be any competition against a true master.
And then there is Honey, a Buff Orpington from a farming store. She won Champion English last year so it is possible, just unlikely.
First you have to know what breed your bird is. This shouldn’t prove too difficult, but if you’re struggling the people on this sight could probably help.
Next you need to know if your bird is a hen, pullet, cock, or cockerel. Don’t laugh, those Silkies are hard to determine.
My Silkie “hen” who just started crowing.
For those of you who don’t know or just don’t remember, a hen is a female chicken over one year old, a pullet is a female chicken under one year old, a cock is a male chicken over one year, and a cockerel is a male chicken under one year old.
Step 1-1 Month Before
About a month before the show, fair, or other poultry event, check your bird carefully for any sign of injury, illness, or, (heaven forbid) mites. I made the mistake of not checking until the day before the show and they had a slight case of mites. You just can't show a bird with mites so they had to stay home, which was frustrating but completely my fault. Now I will check at least a month before and ever week up to the show.
If you have free range birds with feather on their feet, putting them in a smaller area with a wood chip floor reduces the chance that they will break them and gives already broken feathers a chance to grow back. An all wood cage will also help keep the tails looking nice. When chickens are in metal cages they rub against the metal which caches and rips their tails. Not pretty.
Another thing to watch for is anything less than a normal healthy bird would have So no ripped combs, missing toes, cross bites, or missing main tail or wing feathers. If you just want the experience you want a well behaved bird that will tolerate being picked up and carried around. But if you're trying for that big fancy Champion Poultry ribbon, only bring your best.
Step 2-1 Week Before
The week before the show trim all the beaks, toenails, and spurs that need it, this way they will have time to grow back and smooth out the sharp edges. As I’ve been told, nothing is worse than an overgrown beak. If you have never trimmed a beak before this website explains how.
https://www.hobbyfarms.com/trim-chickens-beak/
This is an overgrown beak.
This is the same hen with her beak trimmed.
Rooster spurs should not curve towards the leg. If they do, you can just keep slowly trimming them shorter and shorter until they don’t point towards the leg.
This is an acceptable spur.
This one, if allowed to grow will go straight towards his leg.
Step 3-1 Day Before
The day before truck in wash their feet! In my opinion filthy chicken feet are worse than an overgrown beak. A toothbrush works good, just be gentle so as not to damage their scales. If they need it, you can give them a full body wash. If so, do it a few days before to let them dry completely and get their feathers back to normal. You can also use a Q-tip to carefully wash their face and beak. Chicken beaks, in my experience, are usually filthy.
Cardboard boxes are considered the best mode of transportation, but I don’t like sticking my fancy show birds in a box. It seems a bit undignified. I use cat carriers; some people use rabbit carriers, again, metal is not recommended, it will ruin their perfect feathers.
Step 4-The Day Of
You’re here! Chickens everywhere you look! Are you ready to win? Maybe, but there are a few things yet that make your birds a bit nicer looking.
- Baby oil. Just a few drops applied with a Q-tip to their comb and wattles will make the color a bit brighter and really pop.
- Make sure their feet are still really clean. My birds will be looking like winners one moment then go and step in something nasty the next.
- Right before judging some people will remove the water so the birds don’t get all wet. I have never had a problem with this but I could see it making a mess of crested breeds.
Step 5-After the Show
And now it’s all over until next year. Sadness. If this was your first poultry show and you want to continue, a mentor would be a great help. Connecting with other poultry breeders in your area would also be a good move. All those mistakes you might make on your own? Someone has already made them and might have a better way of doing things. And if you made a bunch of new friends you can talk chicken (or argue whether or not ducks are better) all year long.
Good Luck!
