CLSranch a journal to compensate my lack of memory.

[CLSranch]

Those will be the boys 4-h chickens later this year. They'll probably be a month or so to young to be in their best condition for our county show. End of July I think. It will get them started though and I can hatch eggs next year for better timing.

 

[farmerjan]

I am hatching later this year than "optimal"... should have had the NH's and the Leghorns out in April... I am not pushing for any fairs, but will have some for the late fall Va Poultry Breeders show in Nov... And birds to sell... hoping for not too many males unless I find someone with a plucker to kill them. Or someone to buy the "culls"...

 

[CLSranch]

These are Old English Game so I may have hens setting before time to incubate. This is also part of the reason for getting games. I like hens to set and not to have to incubate. Although the timing may be off for a show they are much better hatchers than me and incubator.
Hoping for at least 2 sets per hen a year and a lot of culling. That can add up to a lot of chickens fast without using the freezer camp.

 

[GLENMAR]

I am hatching later this year than "optimal"... should have had the NH's and the Leghorns out in April... I am not pushing for any fairs, but will have some for the late fall Va Poultry Breeders show in Nov... And birds to sell... hoping for not too many males unless I find someone with a plucker to kill them. Or someone to buy the "culls"...

I am learning from you. So I just looked up the Va Poultry show, it's just down the road from me. I am hatching soon. I think I will go and sell some birds too.

 

[CLSranch]

Always good to look at what and when to sell, then count back for when to hatch. Like early spring people like chicks, around shows they want just maturing pullets and cockerels. Some of those breeds mature at different times so you may want 2 hatch dates so the cockerls will be a little older at the same time to sell or show.

 

[farmerjan]

@GLENMAR ... You can access the VPB club show catalog online, usually in Sept or early Oct. Show is at Caroline County Fairgrounds.....Lots of interesting stuff, classes etc... But, You do have to do the pullorum blood testing,, whether for sale or show birds. And the state rep will come around... I saw a couple of them at the Poultry swap at Gilmanor...
I should have a good number this year so will probably do a flock test. (random 30 birds).. but if you have less than 30 birds on premises, usually we only tested the ones for show. You can contact the show secretary, to get a name of a tester, or contact the extension service in your area... , If you just do the show or for sale birds, has to be within 90 days of the event... if you do a flock test it is good for a year if you do not bring in other birds. Also there is a NPIP program, which is submitting 2-3 dozen eggs maybe a couple times a year for testing and if you get certified NPIP, I think that you don't have to do separate blood testing. I am not up on the current requirements....since I have not been showing for several years.
There is another club in the area, Old Dominion Poultry club... They have a spring show at the State Fairgrounds... don't know if they have anyone that can do the blood testing... you have to get state certified... not a big deal.

 

[fuzzi]

Yesterday, 2 and a half weeks old.
View attachment 128891
Silver Duckwing. We have 4 left. I'm hoping for at least 2 pullets. View attachment 128892
Spangled. We still have all 6

Maybe I'll be able to tell cockerls and hens when I get home next week.

Both look like cockerels to me.

 

[farmerjan]

Also, @GLENMAR ... Go to a website called Poultry Show Central.... has listings for shows and swaps for each state... There is one in Rockville listed... maybe some of the other ones would be closer...
I also think that the Old Dominion club sorta superintends the poultry show at the Va State fair now... one of our members of the Va Poultry Breeders used to spearhead it years ago, he raised alot of different breeds... but he has passed away and the club sorta fell apart.. been some "in fighting" and I think that Old Dominion actually split off from it... but there are some putting VPB back together so to speak... been having shows for over 50 years... I used to come from Conn. down back in the 70's.... BIG SHOW for the times... 2 day show... used to have 2-3,000 birds.... nice banquet on Sat eve... lots of camaraderie back then... even with the fierce competition...not all about money but more about good breeding... Like the Columbus Ohio show; that show has grown sooooo much....much bigger than VPB ever was but we were a show to "go to".... Also the Northeastern Poultry Congress show in January at the Big E in Springfield Mass....