Despite the unexpected snowstorm (with whiteout driving conditions), the Northeastern Poultry Congress was well attended by both birds and spectators.
It was great to see so many kids in the junior showmanship classes. A lot of them walked around with chickens in their arms.
By the end of Saturday afternoon, Championship Row was beginning to fill up. Proud owners had their bird’s photos taken.
Some of the winners were smaller than the ribbons.
These show chickens don’t always look like the hens we have at home. The winning White Leghorn was much heftier than Twiggy, and this Buff Orpington is larger than any I’ve ever owned.
Winning birds are trained to show off, to be comfortable when handled by judges, and to feel at home in the show crates. Not that they all looked pleased about it. Although I have a feeling that this Wyandotte always wears this expression!
With that many beautiful birds to look at, of course there’s always a few that I wish that I could take home. How pretty is this little Blue Wheaten Old English Game Hen?
There were also geese, ducks and turkeys. Even though I’ve seen turkeys countless times, their heads, with their fluorescent blues and strange snoods, always make me look twice in surprise.
Sometimes I think that the modern game birds should be put into a “dinosaur class.”
Speaking of classes, there was a new one this year, and it is already my favorite. For birds that don’t fit into the American Poultry Association list of accepted breeds and the standard of perfection, there is now the Funky Chicken Class.
Don’t we all need a “vividly vibrant violet funky chicken” in our flocks?
I remember when you got Coco at the Poultry Show…I went back through your blog archive and found her…she was such a pretty little hen!
She was also one of the best school visit hens I’ve ever had. Great little bird.
Great pixs!! Glad the show was still a go….I was worried about the snow storm.
I too love the the blue wheatern but what huge eyes she has! I also love the dinasaur chicken. You always manage to photograph one that looks like it belongs to Jurrasic Park. What a fun day out.
I think “Vividly Vibrant Violet” is gorgeous!
Oooo, fun in the winter! Have you gotten used to all the goodies (chickens) at the show over the years? Or are you still as tempted as ever to bring home “new” goodies to try? :)
Always tempted, but I resist! My flocks are established and peaceful, and the barns are full. Bringing in one new chicken (who is a disease-carrier risk) is rarely a good idea. But, I do get ideas for chick orders! No chicks this spring, but I’ve always got a wish list in mind.
The `funky chicken` class must be a lot of fun. If you think about it…the possibilities are infinite. It would be similar to developing a new Rose, with the excitement and anticipation waiting to see what you helped nature create,always a surprise, and sometimes magnificent. Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.
Looks like a great turn out despite the snow storm you mentioned. I was watching it snow on your outside cam yesterday afternoon! Beautiful chickens at the show and I love the little Blue Wheaten Old English Game Hen. She is adorable! The perfect pocket chicken! All of your pics are great! I love Poultry Shows!
Great photos. Thanks for sharing. I too love the photo of the old Englsh game. I am lucky to have 2 of he same breed from your last photo. This one doesn’t look bearded. But mine are. Thanks again for sharing. I saw all the snow on your cam. Wow.
Is the Blue Wheaten Old English Game Bird a meat chicken, like a pheasant?
As little as they are I call her a chicken soup bird over a meat chicken. Her breed of history runs more towards a history of domesicating chickens to have cockerel fights than for meat, feathers or eggs. Or least that is one of the prevailing theories. The olde english game birds are also surviors and if you hear or see any feral chickens they tend be of that descendant as well.
I thought that she didn’t have much meat on her, I guess she would be just a pet.
Feral chickens seen in various areas are not necessarily game birds, Kit. Also, the modern Bantam Old English Game, have little in common with the large game roosters once (and sadly still in some parts of the world) used for cock fighting.
Oops then I was wrong, I thought Bantam Old english game birds were developed for cockerel fightings as well.
At this point, bantams have no purpose except as charming additions to the flock. Any small birds you see in the supermarket, such as capons (which are neutered meat birds) are bred specifically for eating.
Love the Champion Continental — if she were a dog she’d be a dalmatian. But I suspect the funky chicken category would be the most fun.
Quick, someone develop a new breed and call it ‘Funky Chicken’! I always look at Modern Games and think, ‘If those decide to run, I’ll NEVER be able to catch them.’
The Blue Wheaton is lovely with her large eyes and perfect proportions, I’m fascinated by the odd dinosaur chicken, and that speckled “funky chicken” is really kinda beautiful… but the look on that Wyandotte’s face is Hilarious! Your photos are priceless, as usual. Thanks for sharing, Terry.
Terry is Betsy Ross the last bantam you will ever own ? I know you probably won’t buy another bantam pullet from a show, and none of the hatcheries really provide sexed bantams. I know mypetchicken said they will but not for old english game. And they are charging eight dollars plus for each female bantam, though interesting they seem to include bantam barred rocks and easter eggers know. I wonder if Edwina and departed sister Eleanor would have been such bullies if they were half the size. And if one was adding silkies to your flock as hard as they are to sex that eight dollars is worth not having to wait three or four months to tell if your sweet powder puff is a boy or girl. I do see in the young lady’s silkies that they might be wearing chicken diapers as not to poop on her as she carries them around.
That was just a little towel, and the silly Silkie liked tucking her head in it :)
I would love to go to a bird show. I’ll have to see if I can find any that are here in MD. Who judges the birds? Do they get called up into a ring and compete against each other? I used to show and breed Maine Coon Cats, so I’m familiar with cat shows. The funky chicken class must be comparable to the household pet class that cat shows have for non-pedigreed and mixed breed cats.
JoAnn
The judges go through training and apprenticeship programs. This is a new website, trying to get an on-line comprehensive list of poultry shows. You might be able to find one in your area through them. http://www.poultryshowcentral.com
Funky Chicken is just too cool but I dearly love the fluffy duo being held in the first photo. Lap chickens!!
Looks fun!
I have two of the Blue Wheatons (actually had three a hawk got one). They are beautiful birds and have a great disposition. Quiet and not flighty. However, they are superb fliers. Mine will fly from the coop to my back door when they see me coming with scrap bucket. It’s about 100 feet and they do so with very little effort.
I bought mine from a breeder I meet at a poultry show. I had to drive about three hours to get them. I had to meet the gentlemen in a shopping mall parking lot. He would not let me come onto his property for biosecurity reasons. I understood but I really want to see all his birds. He had numerous entries and numerous breeds.