Cornish Game Hens for 4-H

[charlieschickens]

Used to in the state of Oklahoma it was a carcass show that was hosted at Talequah and you aimed for the heaviest box possible. Most live broiler shows, when done through FFA or 4H will usually arrange for everyone to get their birds at the same time, so that they are the same age and the playing fields is more levelized. I would suggest checking with the local 4H leader to see if they have any intentions on coordinating this project.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Ha Ha, I am the 4-H leader! Okay, so this is my kids' first year showing poultry. I haven't had chickens myself for years and never did show them when I was young, that was my brother, and he is even older than me

I talked to another leader about it and she wasn't sure and had never seen anyone take anything other than one year a member took some Californians who did not have much muscling because their family liked a leaner bird, but the judge didn't even look at them.
I will ask around this year and maybe even talk with the judge after the show, for this year the kids will take some Cornish Roasters or Broilers.
Thanks everyone.

 

[Helenshort]

Huh? You must do it different up there than down here. For 4-H shows in Texas, everyone gets their broilers at the exact same time from the same place (Usually Texas A&M, and is distributed by the counties). Do you get to choose where you get your birds from? Also, down here it is usually breast size that the birds are judged on. They are, after all, meat birds. Their only purpose is to grow as fat and large as possible, so that's how they are judged here. Plus it depends on the judge. Try to find out who the judge will be and how he judges (eg. uniformity vs size). There is a lot of variation in judges, so knowing this could have a big impact on your placing.

Showmanship and cleanliness are only judged in the showmanship class, as usually the birds here are shown in trios and you just get friends to hold some of your birds.

We are in northern Indiana and we can get our meat chickens from whoever we want too and when ever we want. The 4H leader said the Cornish chickens is the best to get for a meat chicken

 

[Yardmom]

Talking to your judge after is a great way to understand the expections of your show. Hopefully it will be the same judge next year or at least the same philosophy. I have never shown meat birds, but have shown market steers. I would think if you don't have separate breed classes you could choose what ever breed you wanti. The goal with all breeds would be to have the bird "market ready" at the time of the show. Meaning Rangers or other slow growers would need to be started long before cornish X. A good judge should judge based on how well each bird compares to its own breed standard. Unfortunately that is not what every judge does. If it does not appear that they are judging based on breed inquire at the county (or what ever level you are at) about creating more categories.

 

[Yardmom]

Talking to your judge after is a great way to understand the expections of your show. Hopefully it will be the same judge next year or at least the same philosophy. I have never shown meat birds, but have shown market steers. I would think if you don't have separate breed classes you could choose what ever breed you wanti. The goal with all breeds would be to have the bird "market ready" at the time of the show. Meaning Rangers or other slow growers would need to be started long before cornish X. A good judge should judge based on how well each bird compares to its own breed standard. Unfortunately that is not what every judge does. If it does not appear that they are judging based on breed inquire at the county (or what ever level you are at) about creating more categories.

Just realized this is an old post. I need to look at dates. These kids may not be kids any more.