Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
22
Showing Poultry
SO YOU'VE DECIDED TO RAISE POULTRY
because the county and state fair exhibition
scene delights you. You are not alone. Nearly every county has at least a 4-H poultry
show, and many also have open classes for adults. American Poultry Associ-
ation-sanctioned poultry shows occur during all seasons of the year and in hundreds, if
not thousands, of locations around the United States and in Canada. European countries
also have huge, well-attended shows endorsed by their national poultry associations. Per-
haps you've decided to help your kids give the 4-H or FFA project a try. Or maybe you
already have a few amateur shows under your belt and have decided to get serious and
register your birds for an APA-sanctioned show.
Fanciers and show enthusiasts will tell you that the rearing of these birds is not the
same avocation as raising egg or meat birds. Many show birds do not have supreme — if
any — production capabilities. Show fowl require an entirely different focus: you're aim-
ing to raise birds that are in the finest feather and the finest conformation, corresponding
as closely as possible to the standard of perfection.
When one refers to “the standard” it means the regularly updated publication, the
APA's
Standard of Perfection
. The American Poultry Association is one of the oldest
livestock organizations in America and began publishing their guide in 1874. Whether
you are showing for 4H or professional purposes, the
Standard
is a must-have. It provides
detailed information about accepted breeds and varieties including trait qualifications and
disqualifications for each. Sections at the beginning of the topic delineate proper body
types, feathering, feather colors, numbers of toes, types of combs, and overall character-
istics of the birds you will want to exhibit.
While you may be perfectly fascinated with the bird you're taking to the show and feel
it's the most outstanding, beautiful specimen you've ever seen, if the bird does not con-
form to the APA
Standard of Perfection,
you may become quickly disillusioned and hurt
by a judge's comments. Show judges do not necessarily look for the prettiest or the best-
