The Official Forum of the Ameraucana Breeders Club > Exhibiting & Promoting

Dec. 5 & 6 Dixie Classic (Knoxville, TN)

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Spencer Crouse:
After going to nationals last weekend I now possess enough confidence to enter a show.
The Dixie Classic Poultry Show in Knoxville, Tn on December 5th and 6th.

-I was hesitant to bring any birds to nationals because I have not entered a show before.
-I was afraid I did not have any of which were show worthy.
-I also did not want to risk my birds catching diseases while having such a small hatch this spring.

After a fair amount of consideration I might enter two or three of my wheaten/BW/SW bantams I hatched this spring to allow myself a feel for showing.

Before I commit I would like anyone's advice concerning my decision. I have 3 males and 5 females I did not cull. I will most likely only use 3 females and 2 of the males that I hatched this spring as well as a pair I purchased from Jerry at nationals.

-That leaves me with 2 pairs and 1 trio of breeders,I plan to hatch every egg they lay from February until the end of May 2016.

Would you personally bring any birds if you had so few?

I have plenty of room to quarantine them when they return, but in your opinion is it worth the risk of them getting sick at a show?

I am a noob when it comes to showing chickens so after answering the questions any prep advice would be appreciated. I've done my research but anything you think is worth mentioning would be great! I've searched the threads but if you have a particular one worth forwarding I'd take anything sent my way.

Thanks, Spencer

Susan Mouw:
Hi Spencer!

First of all, let me just say...."Yay" that you're going to show!  I think that is wonderful.

As a newbie to poultry shows (my first one was just last month), I can only share my thoughts, but beware they are mostly bereft of the vast experience many others have here. :)

Yes..go.  Here is what I do - take this with a grain of salt :)

I mentally reserve at least one male and at least two females from each variety to stay home and out of any risk.  Those birds may not be your very best, but should be acceptable breeding quality so that, if some unforeseen disaster happened and you lost the birds you were showing, you would still have a back up plan in place.

I'm going to take my very best male of each variety because I'm going to win, not just to pay entry fees. :)  When I only had one cock bird in blacks - he stayed home, but now that I have several, I'm taking the best one out there...or at least the one I think is best. So, that's my first choices - the best of males of each variety.

I'm going to select a couple of females from each variety - I'd like to take the very best and the second best, but I realize I may have to leave one of those behind....just in case (see above)

My selection process will also include the decision of who is, or will be at show time, closer to being ready to show.  If my best male is 4 months old, then I'm going to leave him for the next show and take the next best male that is closer to being ready to go before the judges.

Then, I'm going to take every precaution that I know to take to make sure the selected birds have good strong immune systems before heading out. There are many theories on how to do that, but a couple of highlights - I'm going to make sure those birds are internal and external parasite-free. Parasites can bring a bird down and weaken it's immune system. I'm going to make sure the selected birds are of good weight, healthy appetites, and otherwise healthy - no leaky noses, coughing, or any evidence of disease or illness.  Not only do I want to protect my birds, but I also don't want to take a sick bird that may infect other birds while at the show.

Once I've done all that - it's showtime!  :)  And you know what the best thing about showtime?  Getting to meet new friends and spend time with old ones, chat about your birds, and get to visit. I've shown in dog shows and horse shows all over this country, but I've met some of the nicest folks at a poultry show. :)

Those are just my thoughts...hope it helps.  Have fun and be sure to let us know how it goes.

Birdcrazy:
Spencer, good decision. I have never entered a show or went to a show with the attitude that I was going to really tear things up. First of all when entering you usually have no idea of who is going to show at the exhibition or what birds will be there. Secondly as was shown at the nationals, no two judges will see eye to eye. This was a double show and the results varied. Go with the attitude I did my best and if I get beat, look at the winners and decide why did I get beat and what do I need to work on in my breeding program to get to where my birds need to be. Main thing, don't get discouraged as this may take several hatching seasons. As Susan stated worming in advance is almost a must along with cleaning and bathing of the birds 5-7 days before the show to let the birds preen their feathers back into natural shape. You can do final cleanup as needed as you check your birds in. 

Most of all just go and have fun!

Don:
Spencer you have to begin somewhere and its best to jump in.  You can learn a lot more during the process of showing and talking to others than to read up until you feel you know all about it.  Read what you can, but more importantly just start.  I think its great to hold your best breeders back like Susan said.  You will learn that the best show birds are not always the best breeders.  But you still have to make that judgement call.  As Gordon said, you will get to know your birds better that any judge that spends a few minutes with them.  So learn as much as you can at the show and you will learn to judge your birds and trust your judgement. 

I hope the Knoxville show is a good show and I hope there will be some nice AMs there.  I've heard that they are requiring AI tests for each entry and sales bird.  You might get by with less with an in-state flock.  This is similar to Arkansas this year except for the Vet Certificate.  I hope that it does not hamper the entries.  Our SE District meet is the same weekend in South Carolina.  And they allow PT testing at the door this year, no AI testing.  Come on down if you change your mind.  We will try to show you some real Southern Hospitality.   

Susan Mouw:

--- Quote from: Don on November 12, 2015, 05:36:32 PM ---
  I've heard that they are requiring AI tests for each entry and sales bird.  You might get by with less with an in-state flock.  This is similar to Arkansas this year except for the Vet Certificate.  I hope that it does not hamper the entries.  Our SE District meet is the same weekend in South Carolina.  And they allow PT testing at the door this year, no AI testing.  Come on down if you change your mind.  We will try to show you some real Southern Hospitality.

--- End quote ---

Oh, I second that suggestion!!  C'mon down to Blackville, SC that weekend and we'll show you some Carolina charm! ;)

You and I are both newbies at showing, so we'll both learn from Don and the other guys there.

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