Poultry showing?

[Cherryblossom]

I was perusing classes for Balmoral Show (the biggest agricultural show in NI), and made the mistake of saying out loud that my daughter is now old enough at 5 to do the poultry young handlers class.
She thinks this is a great idea and wants to take her biggest hen- a massive, but very placid buff orpington.
I’m up for giving it it a go, but have no idea about what she would have to do! Does anyone here show or watch poultry shows and could tell me what she needs to do/ wear?
Pic of daughter and chick when both were a little smaller!

 

[fiwen30]

I have zero clue, but you, daughter, and daughter’s massive hen have my full support! It sounds like a wonderful idea, buff Orpington’s are my favourite.

Will be there to cheer you all on, if you decide to go for it!

 

[adamntitch]

Ones I have been to you drop the bird/s off into there pen and the judging is done by the judge usually your all asked to leave the area then you go back after judging is over and there rossette on the cages if you have won anything so your daughter really just has to get the chicken looking nice

 

[Cherryblossom]

Ones I have been to you drop the bird/s off into there pen and the judging is done by the judge usually your all asked to leave the area then you go back after judging is over and there rossette on the cages if you have won anything so your daughter really just has to get the chicken looking nice

Get the chicken looking nice?? ?
@fiwen30 - we can do a meet up there! I always dreamed of competing there- chickens might have to be the compromise on my dream! That or welly planting!

 

[ester]

I think the kids have to answer questions about their chicken as well as getting it to look nice.
I’d presume age appropriate!

 

[Esmae]

I would look to join a poultry club and feel sure that someone locally can give you some help for your daughter's first go. I suspect though that there may not be any poultry shows due to avian flu unless everything settles down. (not looking likely at the moment) I'm not sure of the rules in NI. I think that preparation involves bathing the chicken and hairdryers and such.

 

[Flyermc]

i cant help, but wanted to say that we have 2 buff Orpington ladies and they are fab!!

 

[druid]

She doesn't have to do anything at the show. Just wash the bird and put it in correct pen. Pen training will make the bird much less stressed. Be warned for Balmoral you deliver birds on Tuesday afternoon and they are there until Friday night when you have to collect them again. Bit of a pain and can be stressful if the bird isn't used to showing.

Balmoral is a big show by Irish standards as it has Poultry Club of GB stars available. We've won Champion Rare and lots of class wins over the years.

If you want more help on prepping a bird for shows, pen training etc you send me a pm

 

[Nicnac]

Two lovely girls. That is one big chook. No idea about showing though - sorry.

 

[rara007]

Young handlers classes are handling classes. Get the bird out, show it’s wings feet and legs, know it’s breed and how it was prepared, points of the bird etc.
Junior classes are like normal classes where they’re left penned so judged anonymously.

 

[druid]

There's no Young Handlers at Balmoral just Juvenile.

Be warned that most of the juveniles have parents involved in exhibition poultry and it's just an extension of their entries. They do place to 6th though so she might get a prize card if the bird is good

 

[Flyermc]

There's no Young Handlers at Balmoral just Juvenile.

Be warned that most of the juveniles have parents involved in exhibition poultry and it's just an extension of their entries. They do place to 6th though so she might get a prize card if the bird is good

i can ask, what do they look for in a hen? im assuming its subjective to the judge, but wondering really as ive got 2 buff orpington ladies and i struggle to tell them apart!

 

[druid]

They are judged to the breed standard just like dogs. British poultry standard and your breed on google will give you the standard and usually good examples of the breed.