It takes time and preparation to show chickens, but it can be fun and exciting.Get familiar with the regional standards for your breed and raise some show quality birds.Take time to learn the basics of chicken showmanship and make sure your show chicken is healthy and well-groomed before the show.
Step 1: You can show a chicken.
At most poultry shows, your chicken will be judged on how well it matches the standards of its breed and variety.Chickens that are hybrid or mixed-breed will not be accepted for show.You should research specific breeds of chicken that are accepted for show in your area and the organizations you want to work with.If you live in the U.S., you can start by looking at the American Poultry Association's list of recognized breeds.Cubalayas and Favorolles are two popular show breeds.
Step 2: You should study the standards for your breed.
Your local poultry association has a manual of breed standards.A show chicken needs to conform to these standards in order to be successful.It could include things like being in a particular weight range, having a certain type of plumage, or having combs and wattles of a specific shape or color.If you live in the U.S., the American Poultry Association has a guide called The American Standard of Perfection.British Poultry Standards can be found by the Poultry Club of Great Britain.
Step 3: From a well-known breeder.
Search for your breed's national club or association and browse their breeder directory.If you don't know how to find out if a breeder is trustworthy, talk to someone at a local poultry club.The websites of organizations like the Livestock Conservancy can be used to find directories of breeders.Chickens can be bought from feed stores, farmers supply centers, and auction houses.These chickens are more likely to be in poor health than chickens bought directly from breeders.
Step 4: Pick a bird from your flock that is compatible with the breed standards.
There is no guarantee that a chicken will meet all the required standards for a show.Before you get the perfect show chicken, you may need to raise a lot of birds.It's a good idea to occasionally remove members of the flock that don't conform to breed standardsundesirable traits will not be passed on within the flock.Chickens can be sold as pets or housed separately as part of a laying flock.
Step 5: Pick a bird that is healthy.
A chicken that is sick, bedraggled, injured, or over- or underweight is unlikely to win a show.Before you sign a chicken up for an exhibition, make sure it's in top shape.Ensure that your chickens are healthy, happy, and show ready by giving them the best possible care.Proper housing, nutrition, and grooming is what this means.
Step 6: Hold your chicken correctly.
Proper form is needed when handling chicken at a show.Pick up your chicken from the front.Put your left hand under the chicken's body.Use your thumb and fingers to support one leg.Carry the chicken with your right hand on its back.This hold will help your chicken feel secure and calm, as it demonstrates that you are familiar with show form.
Step 7: Do you know how to pose your chicken?
You should study your breed standards guide to find out what poses you can demonstrate.If you're not familiar with what the poses are supposed to look like, practice guiding your chicken into those poses.Put your chicken on a flat surface covered in a piece of carpeting and gently move its head and tail into the appropriate positions.Guide the chicken back into position if it moves.After you remove your hands, you want the chicken to hold the pose for 60 seconds.Try to practice with your bird for 10 minutes at a time, several times a day until the poses become second nature.If your chicken stands still, reward it with a treat and stroke it under the beak.The clicker can be used to train your chicken.When the chicken does something you like, click your clicker and offer a treat.Your chicken will associate sound and action with a reward.Don't put your hand on the chicken's back while you are teaching it to pose.The chicken will sit or squat if it is encouraged to do so.
Step 8: A controlled walk is what your chicken will be trained to do.
The judges may ask you to have your chicken walk along a table while you direct it with a baton or pointer.The table is covered in old carpet.The chicken will follow you around if you give it a treat.Once your chicken is ready to stay on the table and follow your lead, you can use your pointer to point it in a different direction.If you want the chicken to turn, tap it on the side of the hackle.If you want your chicken to go forward, you have to tap it on the saddle.If you want to annoy your chicken and get it moving, you may need to tap it with a little force.Make your taps lighter as your chicken becomes more willing to respond to commands.When your chicken follows your instructions, reward it with a treat.
Step 9: It's a good idea to start preparing a year in advance.
You should attend an exhibition by the same organization you plan to show a chicken with.This will give you an idea of what to expect.Pick the individuals you think are most likely to be show quality over the course of the year.Some breeds take longer to mature than others, so try to hatch eggs or buy chicks within an appropriate timeframe relative to when you plan to show.Some chickens may be ready to show in a few months, but others may take a year or more to bloom.
Step 10: The show chickens should be kept in small groups.
If you think the chickens are show quality, remove them from the flock and place them in groups of 2 or 3.Large groups of chickens can lead to squabbling.Keeping your show chickens in a bigger flock puts them at risk of being bullied.A low ranking chicken can end up with bald spots or more serious injuries.Training and showmanship will be more difficult if they become shy and skittish.It's possible to avoid isolating your show chickens completely.Chickens don't do well without company.
Step 11: You should get your chicken used to being handled.
You will be expected to pose your chicken during the show.When it comes time to show your chickens off, start socializing them from an early age so that they won't act scared or aggressive.Handling your chicken frequently from an early age is what you can do.You can talk to your chicken in a calm voice.You should be giving your chicken treats out of your hand.
Step 12: Your chicken needs to be cleaned.
A few days before you plan to show your chicken, bathe it in a tub or basin filled with warm water and a little gentle cleanser.Rub the sudsy water through the chicken's feathers.The toothbrush should be used to scrub the chicken's legs and feet.When you are done, rinse out the soapy water.If you want an extra clean rinse, transfer your chicken to a second rinse basin filled with warm water and apple cider vinegar.It will help get the soap out.The chicken should be washed with plain water a second time.Don't put your chicken's head in the water.In a draft-free area, the air temperature is around 80–90 F.If you want your chicken to be ready for the show, give it at least 24 hours to dry off.
Step 13: After bathing your chicken, you should groom its face, beak, and nails.
Wrap your chicken in a dry towel and take it out of the bath.The face, beak and wattles can be washed with a damp sponge.To trim the top of the beak, use a pair of nail clippers.To clip the nails, use a toothbrush and nail clippers.If you cut through the vein in your chicken's toenails, it will cause pain and bleeding.The emery board can be used to file down rough spots on the nails and feet.When you are done grooming your chicken, pat it dry with a towel and put it in a warm place.
Step 14: 30 minutes before showtime, do a final grooming.
About half an hour before judging begins, do some last-minute touchups to get your chicken looking its best.Rub the toenails and feet with an old toothbrush, then wipe the legs down with wet wipes and baby oil to create a nice sheen.You can use a wipe to clean the feathers around the vent.To smooth the feathers, Rub a silk cloth over them.You can use baby oil or antibiotics to rub the comb and wattles.This will make them look good.