It is always interesting to me to see the selections that the judges make for BV, RB, and BB. I have gradually started to notice the preferences of different judges as I show more and more. One thought has come to my mind frequently lately...should I bring the birds that most closely adhere to the standard, or that a judge is more likely to select as BB or RB? Lol. The answer, of course, is to bring birds that most closely adhere to the standard. Unfortunately it seems that the bigger or more flashy birds are occasionally being selected for top honors at varying shows. Not always, but often. I’ll use my own self as an example.
A few weeks ago, at a certain show, a pullet that I carried received Reserve Champion Large Fowl. Out of the dozen or so birds that I carried, I did not think that it should have received that award. It was my least favorite bird of the dozen I carried. It had too much fluff and was over sized, but it was the best I had to work with, and I wanted to represent the variety at the show, so I brought it anyway.
The standard is very specific in some ways, and in other ways it lends the opportunity to implement our own interpretation of the standard, especially when selecting breeders and setting goals for our breeding programs. That’s what makes it fun!
When I attend shows, I am very objective and do not become emotionally involved in how my birds do. It’s nice to receive verification or affirmation of my breeding programs from a licensed judge, but as a whole, their selections do not dramatically affect my breeding program. I attend shows 5-10 days of the year. The other 355 days I’m at home enjoying my birds. What’s important to me as a breeder may not be important to a judge. I love a tight pea comb and a good head and am breeding for it in my program. A few weeks ago, a judge I showed under could care less about the heads and the size of the pea combs on the birds. Does that mean I’m going to stop focusing on the heads and tight pea combs? No, because it’s important to me. Lol I know certain things are worth more or less on the point system when judging.
I spend endless hours studying the Ameraucana breed and the underlying genetics, and to me personally, I’d rather have the input and feedback of 1-2 Ameraucana breeders that I consult with frequently, and that I genuinely value and appreciate feedback from, than a few trophies on the mantle. Okay, so the trophies are nice too. Lol I do think the judges are doing the best that they can, and there are a few judges out there that know Ameraucanas inside and out. Hopefully the birds that are selected as BB and further at the different shows are also the ones that most closely adhere to the standard. They should be.
Good luck to everyone at all the remaining shows this year!!! I wish each and every one of you the best of luck. I’m proud of the attention that Ameraucanas are getting!