You Love Your Beautiful Chickens - How to Predict Whether They're Qualified to Show At The Fair

Have you thought about signing your chickens up to be shown at your local fair this summer? Not quite sure how or where to get started?  There are both health and appearance requirements.

In the United States, anyway, there are NPIP standards. It stands for the National Poultry Improvement Plan. If you ordered your chickens from a hatchery, they will usually identify themselves as a NPIP approved hatchery - it means the baby chicks you order from them have been vaccinated for Pullorum, Typhoid, and other diseases.

If you bought your chicks as babies from a feed store, they will most likely have gotten those babies from one of these hatcheries . . . and will tell you which one. Each fair can have different requirements, but for the most part they do require these vaccinations. To learn all the requirements of your local fair, you'll need to read and understand the information contained in the Premium Book that will be available from your local fairgrounds. Sometimes, you'll find them at the counter of your local feed store.

Don't fill it out and submit it along with a check or money order for the entry fee (usually, $2 - $3 per bird), though, until you've looked up the breed of your chickens in the  The American Standard of Perfection, which you can usually find on Amazon.com. It is your 'bible' for deciding whether your beautiful chickens have a chance of winning a trophy or ribbon. You'll learn what your chicken must look like in order to compete for its breed, age, and gender. This includes things like body shape, stance, color of every body part, feather design, and much more. If there's a "Barnyard Chickens Category", you can probably disregard this step, but there will no doubt be some standards to meet in that category, as well.

How to Get A Copy of the Premium Book

Online, Google the name of your fair. Any more, each one normally has a website with a search button. Look for the Poultry Superintendent or Poultry Department-there may be a phone number or email for you to use in case you have any questions after you've read the premium book. Don't expect a response immediately, as this superintendent may be a volunteer with a full-time job elsewhere. Note: if your kids are showing their chickens as members of their 4-H Club, they will be given all the information they need from their leaders. As an adult hobbyist, you'll be showing "Open Class" - if both you and your kids will have entries, be sure to understand the details about each. Many times there'll be a pdf of the Premium Book on the website that you can print out. Read it carefully, as it provides all the rules and regulations, as well as times you need to bring your show birds in for 'Vet Check', whether you need to come each day to feed your chickens or whether volunteers are in place, whether you can or should bring your own feed, when judging will occur, and the date and time you must remove your chickens. 

Common Errors That Will Get Your Chicken Disqualified

The judge may disqualify your birds if you haven't entered the complete and proper name of the breed and other required information in the registration process. Watch out, though - try to visit before judging is to take place. Once in awhile, the cage tags get mixed up, as they are sometimes placed on the cages by busy fair volunteers. Clear up any such mix-ups before judging takes place. 

Not passing vet check (a Veterinarian will be present on the first day during registration) will mean you'll need to take your chicken back home right away. Examine each chicken yourself on the day before the fair (the day of the fair, you'll be too busy packing up to get there by 8 or 9 a.m.). Listen to it breathe, inspect it's eyes, check for any parasites, monitor appetite, droppings, and activity level - if everything is normal, you'll probably be safe.

Other disqualifications mean your chickens will remain at the fair, but won't be judged. Know your chicken's breed, and don't show a chicken that clearly doesn't measure up according to the Standard. You must know whether it's a bantam or full sized chicken, spell the breed names correctly, get the gender right, and understand the difference in name between a young bird and the adult hen or rooster. It should not have any glaring disqualifications, such as a completely wrong color of leg, for example. You must not have engaged in any "fakery" in preparing the bird for show - such as glueing a missing feather in place in order to qualify.

What are the Advantages to Showing Your Chickens at the Fair? 

• Getting your chickens trained, tamed, and groomed can be a fun family activity, assuming everyone involved enjoys raising chickens.
• Hanging out with other chicken hobbyists can be fun and informative
• As an exhibitor, you'll most likely get free admittance to the fair, any time you wish to visit
• If your birds win, you'll get a "premium check" - not much, but it buys a little feed. It's based upon whether you get a trophy, a best of class, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place ribbon
• Winners will be awarded ribbons or trophies. Not so many trophies in the recent past, unfortunately, but ribbons are still dispensed 
• If you volunteer during the day, you'll enjoy meeting fair visitors and answering their questions about chickens
• It's a great educational opportunity for you
• You'll benefit year around from having tamed chickens - advisable for fitting and showing, but an added pleasure when interacting daily with your flock

What if You Want To Learn More? 

Coincidentally, I've got you covered. Benefit from my 30 plus years experience raising chickens which translates into showing at fairs every year other than the four I was serving in the military. I could show you all my ribbons and trophies, but I'm pretty humble; plus, it would require unpacking them.

If you'd like to understand how to tame and train your chickens for fitting and showing I'm confident the books below will help you (if they don't, please take advantage of the generous return policy, which I heartily endorse). They're priced low enough for anyone to afford - my goal is to grow this hobby: 

This book is available on Amazon.com - scan the QR Code below it and you'll be directed right to it. It's priced at a whopping $2.99. The rooster in the photo is Spike, a "Holy Terror" to even the most manly visitor.





This showing book adds to the information in this post. It does not detail the rules and regulations of every area in the U.S.! The time required to do that - and to update continuously- would make it very expensive. Like the taming book, it, too is priced at $2.99. You can find out about the rules and regulations for your local fair just by performing an online search and spending a few short minutes. The photo is of me at the fair my first year in 4-H. I was showing my white silky hen. The tall guy was the judge.



Scan this QR Code in order to directly access the Fitting and Showing book on Amazon.com.

Loss of a Pet Chicken, Memorial Stones, Bereavement Help

A pet chicken inspires the same attachment we feel for a pet dog or cat - now a business in New York, by the name of Adirondack Stoneworks -http://www.adirondackstoneworks.com has added memorial stones for chickens and other pet birds to their selection. 

Below, are the graphics they currently have for pet birds:


In addition to the graphic, you pick your preferred lettering, and  content - then order online, they send the stone to you.

 

Just a few of the stones from their website, above. Seems like a really nice family business - they deliver all over the U.S. and prices appear reasonable. This isn't the sort of thing you hope people will need, but since we typically have quite a number of pets in a lifetime, losses are sad, but realistic.

 

It's nice to have something visible to reflect on memories and remind us of the good times our special feathered or furry friends brought into our lives, right?

 

Note:  I don't have any affiliate relationship with this business, just received an introductory message from them, thought it was a cool service, and wanted to share with my fellow pet chicken enthusiasts. 

Without Baby Chicks It Just Wouldn't Be Spring

I tried to resist the baby chicks urge this Spring.

But, somehow, I found myself inside a little feed store I'd never visited before . . . can't remember a thing about how it all happened, but suddenly, I had a brooder with baby chicks in it! It's like MAGIC.

Okay, you're smart and know when you're being snookered - that was an outright lie. Or, maybe, I should just say I "mis-spoke", sounds better? Except for the part about resisting the urge until yesterday! I was conscious through the whole experience, enjoyed every second of it, too!

Got lot's of variety, will post photos soon. In the meantime, just put together some photos from the poultry show in Monroe, WA last month. Second one is from a little museum they have there - It's of a tractor just like the one my Dad used to work with when he was 10 or 12 years old. Highly recommend you stop by this place if you're in the area.

Monroe, Washington is North of Seattle - take the Highway 2 exit to the East. Lot's of old farm items in this museum, and a caretaker even showed me how rope was made back then - cool place for fans of history.

Baby Chicks Bring Harmony to Home - Overlooked Benefit to Raising Chickens

Because of her decision to get started with baby chicks, a mother of three recently reported that her kids no longer 'start world war III' between themselves every day. First, the baby chicks - then a close call that scared the kids into obedience.

I've always believed that the fun and responsibility of raising baby chicks was beneficial for kids, but not actually having a family kept me from thinking about the sibling unrest that's pretty much inevitable. She said each of her kids has a specific job; feeding, watering, and dispensing treats. Sounds like an idyllic household, though this is likely not that rare among families that share this great hobby. I confess to being  unaware . . . Kudos to all who bravely soldier forth in times of war, feast, famine and assorted emergencies. Nothing like a brooder full of cute little fluff balls to make everything 'all better.'

Somehow or other (possible gremlins in my computer)  that email  vanished into thin air, so - to the lady who wrote it - my sincere apologies, I really did intend to write a thank you note - feel free to try again. 

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Here are some photos from a chicken show a couple of weekends ago.



Brown Leghorn Chicks






Black Australorp Rooster

 


Egyptian Fayoumis

 


Blue & Barred Belgian Anterp Bantams

 



White Holland  Turkey





Reinventing The Chicken Coop, by Kevin McElroy/Matthew Wolpe

If you have baby chicks in the brooder, but aren't set up for housing them outside yet you're running late - but don't despair. This new book, Reinventing The Chicken Coop can save you. How can you go wrong when you have a lesson on tools, a complete supplies list, and easy-to-understand instructions to follow?

The only challenge may be that of deciding between the 14 models included in this book - since you may not have the luxury of an indecisive  'kid in a candy store' mentality. Every one of these 14 coops has style and is set up to function well for both the chickens and human keepers. Each coop was built for specific people, locations, and the architectural design that coordinated with the land and existing buildings. The authors, Kevin McElroy and Matthew Wolpe, really did their homework learning about the needs of chickens and their owners.

One model fits into a corner, in case that's the only space you have on your lot to put a coop. Another has stair steps incorporated into it (you can sit on the steps and relax to the soothing sound of  'chicken talk'), and then there's my favorite, which resembles a log cabin (it'd look great out in the wilderness). The variety is such that, if you're planning to build a chicken coop, you're sure to find a model that suits your needs. I also like the one with a 'rooftop garden' on top. Frankly, they're all really sharp looking, so you just need to see them for yourself.

If you've ever dreamed up a really cool coop design,but couldn't figure out how to get started with the foundation or attach a roof  - you'll get that 'aha moment' you've been wishing for. Even I can figure out the diagrams - and the only thing I can remember from my construction class is "righty tighty, lefty loosey", which comes in handy if you need to tighten or loosen a screw.

Whether you follow one of the plans to the letter, or make minor adjustments to suit your individual needs you'll end up with a chicken coop you'll be proud to show off when friends and neighbors stop by to see your chickens. The authors recommend materials that'll save money, too. If you have a source for pallets, shipping containers, or  scrap lumber . . . you owe it to yourself to get this book, assemble your tools and safety equipment and take action! Be sure to send a picture when your work is done!

Hop on over to the publishers at  www.storey.com and check out this book!

Hatching and Brooding Your Own Chicks - By Gail Damerow, From Storey Publishing

The moment you see the images on the front cover you're going to want this book! But, you know the saying, "Don't judge a book by it's cover."

No, don't . . . because it gets even better! Ever since I've had my website, people have emailed me questions, mostly about baby chicks. I love hearing from people and answering their questions (so please continue to keep in touch!), but why wait for me to answer (some issues need an urgent response) when you can have the answers to everything about baby chicks right at your fingertips! Detailed answers . . . from someone whose expertise and experience I've relied upon for years - with excellent results.

It's not a good idea to take on the responsibility of caring for the precious lives of tiny helpless animals without having a couple of reference books on hand to guide you, and the information in this book is reliable, factual, and based on the author's years of experience. There are two reasons why some books lack the level of detail of Gail Damerow's books. Either the author is inexperienced; or they are very experienced but feel that "everyone already knows that", so they don't drill down to the basics. You can rely on all the important details being there for you in this book, even if you're brand new to raising chickens or other poultry. She's very gifted at including even minute details, as well as the reasons and background to support all the facts.

After you buy this book, be sure to keep track of it because it probably won't stay on a bookshelf for long at a time. Somebody in your household will always be cabbaging onto it. That's to be encouraged, of course as they'll be a lot smarter after reading it. But, you may want to 'lay down the law' to ensure it always gets put back in a specific place, so you can reference it quickly if you need to - and you most likely will!

It covers the breeds and guides you to select the right ones for you to help you start off on the right foot. It's full of educational charts and images that are clear, colorful, and heartwarming. And, it's not just about chickens, but covers other poultry, as well. If you're raising babies from one of the hatcheries, letting a hen hatch a brood, or, especially, if you're going to use an incubator - you really need this book. There are so many things to know about maintaining the proper humidity, temperature, and other conditions you'll want to be aware of these factors ahead of time.

And, especially, if you're going to use an incubator to raise babies partly as an educational project for your kids or for a classroom you'll certainly want a successful outcome. Reading this book first can ensure that you get the best results and that it'll become a happy and cherished memory for the kids, instead of a sad disaster.

I can't think of anything that isn't covered in these 200 plus pages to help you become a knowlegable baby poultry caregiver. It's apparent that a lot of effort was put into producing this book, organizing the latest data, ensuring that poultry related vocabulary was included in all thr right places, and cautioning the reader so as to avoid innocent, but sometimes fatal mistakes.

Typically, a book review will include a critique about some detail, but I'm at a loss when it comes to Gail Damerow's books, they've all been comprehensive, complete as possible, and should be interesting to anyone who enjoys learning about diverse topics - if only to improve their conversational skills. One last thing to appreciate is the free or affordable options included for you, even if you're on a tight budget - or just wisely frugal.

This book can be purchased from www.storey.com, and probably through other book sellers, as well - if not yet, in the near future.

Unsustainable? Fake Eggs, Forget Chickens in Your Backyard

No, not fake eggs like those plastic ones you fill with candy and put in your kids Easter baskets! Did you see what this company in San Francisco is working on - for us all to eat?

A surfing trip (online) brought me to this CBS Local site in San Francisco where there's an article about a company on a valiant mission to save us from ourselves. The owner is quoted saying that raising chickens and eating the eggs is ". . . just unsustainable." Wait a minute, isn't  growing chickens in your backyard and eating the eggs they lay called "sustainable living"?

Apparently there are a few concerns relating to:

1. The tight living conditions of factory chickens.
2. The killer cholesterol contained in eggs.
3. Chickens becoming diseased and spreading the diseases to us.

Apparently, the concoction developed from high protein veggies is already being added to some mayonnaise, and cookies are being made using these new eggs . . .it's always a good idea to read labels. If you're allergic to eggs, it's a good option for you, but if you want the real thing and don't have any cholesteral issues, not that attractive a choice.

It struck me as amazing to find this article right on the heels of many cities finally winning their battles for the right to raise a few hens as pets and egg providers - and while residents of many more cities are still fighting for that right. Now the whole healthy, sustainable living, organic urban farm movement is being debunked - as unhealthy and unsustainable.

What do you think? Are you going to get rid of your chickens, buy 'factory made goop' to substitute for eggs . . . or be a rebel and order a brand new spring assortment of baby chicks?

How long did it take you to decide? Ah, you're a great Pet Chicken Enthusiast! :-)

Poultry - and True Love Stories for Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day! Hope it's everything you want it to be.

Have you raised geese? I had one pair for years, I'm otherwise solely a chicken addict. A couple of months ago, I lost "Pop", the gander. Sadly, I went out a few weeks later  to feed my animals and found "Nana" dead, too. Neither of them showed any signs that they were ill. I don't remember exactly which year I bought them, even, but they lived a long life. I mentioned this to an old friend, and he interrupted me, headed for his office and came back with a book he said I just had to read.

It's title is Wild Goose, Brother Goose , by Mel Ellis. It was published in 1969, but I checked, and there are a few copies available on Amazon, basically for shipping costs only. It tells the story of  a wild Canadian Goose (the gander) and a goose cared for by the author. I'm less than half finished with it, but will spend a couple of hours on it tonight before work. So far, it's a beautiful story about love and faithfullness - the mating habits of geese.

Amazon doesn't show it in e-book form yet.  If you're looking for something different about wildlife, human nature, and true love and commitment this Valentines Day, look it up. Apparently, my goose died of loneliness and heartbreak.