A Walkthrough of a Poultry Show (With Pictures!)

I won't deep dive into this subject on this article, as this could be its own article. I will write an article on this specifically soon.
You should reference your breed's Standard when picking out your birds for show. Choose as many as you like, as long as they fit the standard. Some people bring one or two, others bring 20. It all depends on your birds. You want to choose the birds that are as close to the standard as possible. A good way to evaluate is to set up show cages (or dog crates) and put one bird in each. This way you can see each bird individually and against your other birds.

Once you choose the birds you want to show, you will enter them into a show. To find a show near you, you can go to poultryshowcentral.com. This website is where all sanctioned shows are listed. You can search by region or by state. Once you find a show you would like to enter, you find the entry form. Sometimes it is easy to access, sometimes you have to email or call the show supervisor for the entry form. The entry form is usually inside the show catalog. Below is an entry form for a show.

You will fill out your information (name, address, etc. ) first. Then, you will need to provide you NPIP number. NPIP certification is required for most shows. Some shows have a tester on site, but most do not. You can get NPIP certified through your state's Ag Department.
Next, you will fill out what type of birds you are entering. You have "breed and variety" first. That is where you write the breed of your bird and its variety (color). Next is size. If you have a bantam, you write B. Large fowl you will write LF or S for standard. Then you write in how many of that breed and variety you are bringing. So if you are bringing two cockerels and two pullets, you will put 2 under cockerel and 2 under pullet.
Then you will total up all of your birds and fill out the bottom of the form. So if you're bringing 4 bantams, you write 4 in bantams. Then you multiply that by the entry fee. The entry fee for this show is $5 per bird. So 4 x $5 = $20. Then you add the cleanup fee of $3. So in total, it is $23 for your entries. Enclose your payment in the envelope, and send in your entry.

Be sure to also reference the show catalog. The catalog will give you show details like rules, date/times, directions to the show hall, and sponsors.

So you have officially entered your birds and now it's time to show. Most shows are on a Saturday morning. Most shows will let you coop-in Friday night. Coop-in is when you check in your birds and put them in their show coops. Let's say you arrive Friday to coop-in your birds. You will go into the show and find the check in desk. Here you will tell the person at the desk your name. They will find you in the entry list and give you your exhibitor number. This number is unique to you. This number tells you which coop your birds will go in. Once you have your exhibitor number, you go find your coops. Every bird you entered will have the same number, but different coop cards. To learn more about reading a coop card, check out my other article, "How to Read a Coop Card". You will place your birds in their proper coop and leave them until the morning.

Most shows start judging at 9 am Saturday morning. The show hall will open a few hours before judging starts. If you didn't check in Friday, you will check in Saturday morning. You want to give yourself plenty of time Saturday morning to clean your birds up one last time before judging.


Once judging has began, you want to stay back away from the aisle the judge is in. Usually, the aisle will be blocked off with a chord. Do not interact with the judge or the clerk while they are judging. Keep your questions for the judge until after he/she is done judging. Judging is a perfect time to talk with other breeders/exhibitors. You will learn so much from just talking with other people. That is where I personally have learned a lot of what I know now.
You can also take the time you have while judging is happening to check out the booths, raffles, and sale areas. You can find some good quality birds at shows. I personally have purchased many birds from shows. Just be sure to check all birds for mites and disease before purchasing.

Once judging has ended, they will announce the awards/winners. Please note: do not pack up your birds until after the awards have been given out. This is a rule at most shows and can get you banned if you do so. Please be respectful and wait until after awards. It is hard to hear the announcements when a dozen people are wrestling their birds back into boxes.

After awards, you are free to coop-out! You have completed your first show! By this time, if you're anything like me, you will be figuring out when your next show is because you're so excited. Shows are great fun and extremely educational. You will not regret it.

A note: Be sure to quarantine your birds after you show them. Most birds at shows are disease-free and healthy, but sometimes birds are carriers that show no symptoms, and your birds may be exposed. Just be sure to have a cage set up away from your other birds so that you can quarantine them after the show.