How to Show a Chicken

Showing chickens is a very popular project for young people because it is challenging and rewarding. The project is also cheaper, less time-consuming and requires less space than some other 4-H or agriculture fair projects. Traditionally, show chickens judging meant inspecting them in their cages with little interaction between the entrant and the judges, but now chickens are usually taken out of their pen by the owner, and the judges examine the parts individually. You need to prepare for this interaction.

Things You'll Need

  • Chickens
  • Record keeping book
  • Washtubs -- three to four
  • Shampoo or mild detergent
  • Vinegar
  • Conditioner or bluing
  • Dog nail clippers
  • Toothbrush
  • Towels
  • Blow dryer
  • Sponges or cloths
  • Baby or olive oil
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Instructions

  1. Bird Selection

    • 1

      Select the healthiest birds for show. Regularly cull the flock for defects including cuts, tears, bites, broken or disjointed bones, bruises, blisters or insect bites.

    • 2

      Make sure birds are free of feathering defects including full feathering, good plumage and absence of skin discoloration.

    • 3

      Remove any birds with dented, crooked or oddly shaped breastbones.

    • 4

      Remove any birds with narrow, crooked, humped or hunched backs. These birds can be used as layers, or sold to other sources.

    • 5

      Remove birds that lack body depth or that have deformed legs.

    • 6

      Select producers primarily for past and current laying ability. Look for sexual maturity and body conformation. Make sure the body is broad, deep and well-developed. Look for well-developed comb, wattles and earlobes. Only choose hens in egg production.

    • 7

      Select broilers based on conformation, fleshing, finishing, skin pigmentation and uniformity. Your broiler needs a long, straight breastbone free of defects. It needs a wide back and a full and deep body. The fleshing, or amount of fat and muscle on broilers is key, particularly on the breast where the most valued meat is. A moderate amount of finish or fat located just under the skin on a well fleshed bird is valuable. Finally make sure all of your birds look the same.

    Showing the Chicken

    • 8

      Place each bird in the cage you plan to use at least a week before the show.

    • 9

      Practice the showing steps at least twice a day during that week. Approach the cage quietly and maneuver the bird so it is facing your non-dominant hand. Reach across the back with your dominant hand and grab the chicken at the far shoulder holding the wing folded. Rotate the bird inside the cage so its head points out and extract the bird. Slide your free hand, palm up, under the breast while you grasp each leg between two fingers (hold one leg between the index finger and thumb and the other between the second and third fingers).

    • 10

      Hold the bird for a short period of time and examine the wings and other parts of the body as they will be examined in the show.

    • 11

      Return the birds to the cage.

    • 12

      Bathe the birds before the show. Use three washtubs for colored birds and four for white birds. Fill the first tub with soapy water for washing. Fill the second tub with warm (95-degree) water for the first rinse and the second with room temperature water for the second rinse. Add 1/4 cup of vinegar per gallon of water in each of these tubs. Also add some hair conditioner to the second tub. Use the toothbrush to scrub the bird while it is in the first tub. For white birds, add the fourth tub between the second and third tubs described above and fill it with water and enough bluing to give the water a slightly blue color.

    • 13

      Dry the birds completely. Wrap them in a towel as they come out of the bath. It may take 12 to 18 hours for the bird to dry completely so you can use a hair dryer to speed the process up if necessary.

    • 14

      Rub oil over the comb, wattles, beak, and shanks.

    • 15

      Trim the nails with the clippers.