Information on Raising & Showing Chickens

Raising chickens for show begins with the chick.

Raising poultry for show begins with deciding what type to show and then locating a chicken breeder. Once you locate a supplier, chickens are easy to raise. They need constant sources of fresh water and food, stable temperatures and a safe place to live. When chickens reach the proper age, select the best from the stock and take them to the show.

Picking Show Breeds

There are two basic types of show chickens: Bantam and Large Fowl. Get a copy of "The American Standard of Perfection," published by the American Poultry Association, as well as a book about poultry breeds such as "Storey's Guide to Raising Poultry." Each book will detail the desirable qualities for individual chicken breeds.

Getting Chickens

Once you decide what to show, locate a breeder for that chicken type by asking at local feed stores or subscribing to the Poultry Press, a monthly national newspaper that advertises the dates for shows of all types, breeders for all breeds, show results and both local and national organizations. Purchase the chicks--10 to 12 of each type to assure good selection and have a good ratio of males to females. For the first year, start with just two breeds.

Raising Chicks

For the first 60 days, the baby chicks will need to be kept in a brooder, which is a clean, warm and safe spot commonly made from a sturdy cardboard box or animal cage. Cover the brooder floor with fresh pine shavings. The chicks will need constant access to fresh food and water, and a temperature that's between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. After 60 days, the baby chickens can be moved to a chicken coop.

Housing Chickens

You must provide a quality house for your chickens. Size will be determined by the number of chickens you're raising. The house should provide protection from predators (like dogs, cats, hawks, owls, foxes and possums); it must be easy to clean and well-ventilated; and it must keep be warm and dry. Attach an outdoor run to the chicken house, which is large enough to provide four square feet of space for each chicken. Depending on where you live, you will need to consider issues like how to minimize mud or extreme dust and how to protect the chickens from cold and heat.

Showing Chickens

Chickens are shown according to class, breed, variety, gender, and age (cock, cockerel, hen and pullet). Handle the chickens often so that they'll be accustomed to handling by judges. When preparing to show, choose the healthiest birds. They should be free of illness, common pests, and disease; make sure they are vaccinated and meet the health standards for the show. Do not show birds that have cuts, bruises or crooked breastbones. Two days before showing, wash the birds with warm water and mild shampoo; this provides time for their natural oils to be restored. Select hens who are laying regularly if you're entering layers. They should have a soft, pliable abdomen, a breastbone and pubic bone at least three finger-widths apart from each other, and a pubic bone two to three fingers wide. Meat birds should possess lots of muscle, with careful attention paid to the length and width of the bird's breast as well as the size of its legs. When your chickens are being judged, try to be present to listen and learn from the judge's comments.

References

• "The American Standard of Perfection"; American Poultry Association; 2009.
• "Storey's Guide to Raising Poultry: Breeds, Care, Health"; Leonard Mercia; 2000.
• Poultry Press