Many people are very surprised to hear that, just as there are dog shows (where pure-bred breeds of dogs are judged to a set of standards), they also have poultry shows where chickens are entered and judged in the same way!
During a poultry show, coops are typically set-up in buildings...it's not uncommon to find hundreds (or even thousands) of birds in one show. Judges make their way through the classes and breeds comparing birds to the "American Standard of Perfection", and ultimately a "Champion Row" is established. From there, they pick Best of Show and Reserve Best of show. It's very exciting, and typically takes one-to-two days to complete.
There are booths for those looking to purchase the latest and greatest chicken supplies, club tables if you are interested in specific breeds of poultry, and clusters of 4-Her's and FFA students as they compete in Showmanship. It's all neat to see - and poultry shows happen all over the world!
To learn more about the standards of pure bred poultry, visit the APA and ABA web sites.
'Keen on learning more about showing poultry, and perhaps checking out a show in-person?
Here is a list of some "local" shows (for the 2012-2013 season) across the west coast, thanks to Chris Tamayo and CS Bantams:
Sept. 11-13th, Santa Rosa, CA (Sonoma County Fairgrounds)
Heirloom Exposition Poultry Show
http://theheirloomexpo.com or www.rareseeds.com
Oct. 6th, Paso Robles, CA
Central Coast Feather Fanciers
http://www.centralcoastfeatherfanciers.com/
Oct. 13-14th, Salem, OR
Pacific Northwest Poultry Association
Oct. 27th - Ventura, CA (Ventura County Fairgrounds)
Seaside Feather Fanciers - Bash at the Beach
Nov. 17th, Reno, NV
Northern Nevada Poultry Fanciers Association
Dec. 1st - Victorville, CA
Pacific Coast Bantam Club
San Bernardino County Fairgrounds
Dec. 1st - Chehalis, WA
Washington Feather Fanciers
www.washingtonfeatherfanciers.com
December 8th - Plymouth, CA
Amador Youth Poultry Show
If you need a PDF of the entry form, please let me know! Send an email to: chickensforeggs@gmail.com
Jan. 12-13th, 2013 - Hollister, CA
Gold Coast Poultry Fanciers
Bolado Park
Jan. 26-27th, 2013 - Stockton, CA
San Joaquin Fairgrounds
Pacific Poultry Breeders Association
Feb. 9th, 2013 - Eureka, CA
Humbolt Poultry Fanciers
Feb. 16th, 2013 - Fresno, CA
Greater California Society of Poultry Fanciers
http://www.gcspf.com/
Mar. 3rd, 2013 - Bakersfield, CA
Golden Gate Bantam Club and Bakersfield Fancy Feathers Club
Kern County Fairgrounds
Mar. 17th, 2012 - Turlock, CA
Stanislaus County Youth Poultry Show
Stanislaus County Fairgrounds
Mar. 30th, 2013 - Red Bluff, CA
Tehama County Fairgrounds
Nor-Cal Poultry Association
www.norcalpoultryassoc.homestead.com
Mar. 31st - Inland Empire Poultry Show
TBD
Mar. 31st - Redding, CA
Shasta County 4-H Youth Poultry Show
Shasta College Farm
April 7th - Angels Camp, CA
Angelus Ranus 4-H Youth Poultry Show
Tower Pavilion, Calaveras County Fairgrounds
April 14th - Ventura, CA
Seaside Feather Fanciers, Spring Fling
Ventura County Fairgrounds at Seaside Park
If you need contact information for any of the shows listed above, feel free to contact me for more information or a copy of the show list: chickensforeggs@gmail.com
