Showing poultry is a good way to learn about agriculture and be a part of your local 4-H club or FFA chapter. In Louisiana there are opportunities to show chickens at parish shows, district shows, and the state livestock shows.

Showing poultry begins with selecting the right birds to show. This begins several months before the shows. You need to select a breed that will work best for you for your situation. There are large birds known as standard breeds and smaller birds called bantams. The larger breeds will require more space and need more feed. The standard breeds might take a year to reach maturity while the bantam breeds will only take a few months to mature. After deciding on a breed(s) you need to purchase purebred chickens from a reliable source, either a breeder or commercial hatcheries that specialize in purebred chickens.

Study the breed(s) you select because birds are judged on how well it conforms to the standards of its breed and variety. The American Poultry Association’s American Standard of Perfection list the acceptable traits for each breed and variety as well as the defects or disqualifications.

Just because a bird belongs to a show quality breed there is no guarantee that it will meet the standards for showing. Be prepared to cull birds that you show and have a plan of what you will do will those culled. This might be either giving them away or having a flock to lay eggs. Select birds to show that are healthy to start. They will need proper housing, nutrients and grooming to make a good show bird.

About 8-12 weeks before a show you need to select the birds you want to show and give them some special attention. Start training them for the show on being handled, posed and getting used to being caged. You want birds to be calm while in the cages at the shows and be able to be handled by the judge and exhibitor, especially for showmanship. For younger exhibitors in showmanship, it might be advisable to show bantams for this purpose due to handling and holding. Bantam range in weight from 1-3 lbs., standard size birds range from 4-12 lbs. At this time look for any broken or damaged feathers, pull them out carefully so new feathers will grow into their place. Frequently check for lice and mites especially around the head, vent, legs and back and under the wings. Treat, if necessary, with a recommended lice and mite treatment. Make sure birds are on a worming program.

Three to five days before the show clean and groom your birds. Bathe your birds in a tub or basin filled with warm water and a gentle shampoo or dish soap. Rub the sudsy water through the chicken’s feathers from base to tip. Use a soft bristled toothbrush to scrub the legs and feet. Carefully rinse out the soapy water. For an extra clean rinse use a second basin filled with warm water and a little apple cider vinegar. This helps remove all the soap residue. Rinse with plain water. Never submerge the chicken’s head under water. Bathe your chickens in a warm draft-free area with temperature around 80–90-degree F. Once taken out of the bath wrap it in a clean, dry towel with face and feet sticking out. Use a damp sponge to clean the face, beak, and wattles. Trim the beak with nail clippers so the top of the beak and the bottom are even. Scrub the nails with a soft bristle toothbrush and clip them with nail clippers. File down any rough spots on the nails and feet with an emery board. When finished pat dry with a towel and place in a warm, clean coop. If you need to use a blow dryer blow feathers in the direction of the feathers for tight laying feathers. If it has fluffy feathers blow against them. On show day do a final grooming and touchup. Wipe legs, feet and toenails and add a little baby oil or petroleum jelly to give a little sheen. Also add some to the combs and wattles. Don’t overdo it. Check feathers to be sure they are smooth.

Have plenty of feed and water available to birds at show. Carry containers to place feed and water in the pens of the birds. Carry enough feed to last during the show dates. Clean the cage as needed and add additional bedding as necessary. Transport the birds to a show in a proper carrier. It needs good ventilation and bedding to keep them clean. The size of the carrier will be determined by the size of birds you are taking to the show. You don’t need to damage feathers in a carrier as some breeds have long flowing tail feathers.

For the poultry shows you plan to participate in make sure you provide information requested and before deadline. Most shows will ask for information about the exhibitor such as name, address, age (for showmanship groups). For the bird information needed is type of bird, class, breed, variety, sex. This information is necessary for proper pen assignments in the show. Be sure to obtain the necessary health certificates required for shows. Standard bird classes are named after the area of origin while bantam classes are named after physical characteristics.

Handling and Posing Poultry

Show day has arrived. Hopefully you have been working with your birds for several weeks before the show to prepare them for the show. Handling birds is a part of the showmanship contest. Your appearance is important during showmanship. You need to be neat and clean. Some prefer to wear show coats over their normal clothing.

Your attitude and behavior are important. Be courteous to fellow exhibitors and respond to questions and request as best you can.

You will be asked to remove your bird from the cage, handle it, answer questions the judge might ask, identify parts of bird, and return it to cage and pose it.

When placing a bird in cages hold it so the head is facing you with palm under the breast with a thigh between the thumb and index finger and the remaining fingers wrap around the other leg and extend up the side of the body. Place the other hand on the back. When you reach the cages use the hand on the top to open the cage. Turn the bird 180 degrees so it faces the doorway of the cages. Slowly place the bird in cage headfirst. Then turn the bird in a profile position for posing. When removing from a cage always remove headfirst. One hand over the birds back and the other hand under the breast with fingers on thighs. Once removed close the door.

Returning Home with Birds

Be sure to gather up all the equipment you carried to show to take back home. Put birds back in transport carriers. Once back home clean and sanitize all equipment and carriers. Do not mix birds from shows with the remaining flock at home. Quarantine the returning birds to monitor for insects or diseases they might have encountered or been exposed to at shows.