To show or not to show.

I would love to hear the PRO'S and CON'S of showing birds.

PROS: get to visit with me
: promote your favorite breed
: days away from home...work will always be there
: shoppin ( maybe only bid on 3 things)
: did i say, visit with me.
: life long learning
: long day but well worth the friendships that develop.

CONS: bathing chickens with sore back and stress
: not having a clue as to what you are doing

I am stressinga bit over the Feburary Show but then I just say "go for it."
Chris says" roadtrip"!

Pro's
1. I learn so much about the breeds I am working on.
2. My friends are all in the same building for 2 or 3 days
3. Money made on selling birds

Con's
1. No Sleep
2. Liver Damage

Great topic, and very good timing!
I've also been thinking lots about this. My first show, the CHB Provincial show in December was such a great experience for me. I loved being involved as an exhibitor. I gained some excellent tips from the judge, met lots of fellow breeders and spent time chatting with the public and promoting heritage breeds. A really great 3 days! Also, showing your birds can be a real boost to your confidence and adds to your credibility as a breeder. So those are the pros.

Here are the cons: The next show I've thought about attending is in mid-February, (Wetaskiwin) and the timing might make this more difficult.

• My best hens that I would want to show will be in breeding pens. This could mean things like broken/missing feathers that would detract from their attractiveness.

• My quarantine area is with my breeding pens. So after the show I will have to find another place to keep them.

• While in quarantine they are out of production for hatching eggs.

So I have a few decisions to make too.

Pro's :
~ Representing the Breed ~ All too often breeds have no representation
~ Learning more about the breed/s you raise ~ each time I show my birds I am amazed at the new knowledge I take home.
~ Spending time with Great People
~ Making Contacts ~ for future sales or new blood for flock
~ Competition ~ Keeps all breeders motivated to work their hardest
~ Being able to Compare your stock to others ~ There is no better way to compare your birds with someone else's than at a show ( I really dislike when people who are too fearful to show say ' oh I have a bigger, nicer, better... bird than what is here' )
~ Being Proud of what we all have put so much time into raising
~ Supporting the Hobby


Con's:
~ Making sure your birds stay healthy after a show
~ Some shows are none ideal times
~ Coming home with more birds...lol ( is also a pro )

.

k.r.l wrote:Pro's :
~ Representing the Breed ~ All too often breeds have no representation
~ Learning more about the breed/s you raise ~ each time I show my birds I am amazed at the new knowledge I take home.
~ Spending time with Great People
~ Making Contacts ~ for future sales or new blood for flock
~ Competition ~ Keeps all breeders motivated to work their hardest
~ Being able to Compare your stock to others ~ There is no better way to compare your birds with someone else's than at a show ( I really dislike when people who are too fearful to show say ' oh I have a bigger, nicer, better... bird than what is here' )
~ Being Proud of what we all have put so much time into raising
~ Supporting the Hobby


Con's:
~ Making sure your birds stay healthy after a show
~ Some shows are none ideal times
~ Coming home with more birds...lol ( is also a pro )

i Agree ^^^

I agree with all the pro's here.
I guess the biggest cons for me are only 2.
Protecting my flock from disease that could be brought home from a show (taking the time to vaccinate to protect and quarantine after a show, winter being the worst time for quarantine...)
The second is distance and costs associated with a show.

The pro's definately outweigh the cons, just wish we could do a mid summer type show when birds look good, we have time to travel, and quarantine after is not so difficult.

.

I was thinking that a summer show would be a great thing also.
The roads will be good, the kids out of school, it isnt calving or haying season, you can camp comfortably, you can tailgate easily. Quarrentine pens can be put up anywhere and you can still collect the eggs and hatch them if you want. You would need to watch how hard the boys were on the girls, but a nice saddle can solve that. Or just show your roosters! You could show off your youngstock and use the show to pick who to use on the girls.

Pros.....
Fun and social aspects
learning opportunities
shopping
assessment

Cons...
prepping, especially in the winter
Quarrentine, especially in the winter
packing the car especially in the winter