10/20/2024
What a fantastic turnout today at the Cluck and Quack, Manitoba’s APA-sanctioned poultry show in Portage La Prairie. It was great to see so many juniors and new exhibitors showcasing a wide variety of chickens, turkeys, and waterfowl.
Poultry shows offer an incredible opportunity to learn and connect with others who share the same passion. We exhibited our Mottled Houdans, Crevecoeurs, and Polish—just a few of the breeds in the Continental Class that we raise. Though we ended up competing against ourselves in this class, it was still a valuable checkpoint to ensure we’re staying aligned with the Standard of Perfection.
This show taught us a couple of important lessons. First, grooming: While I’m usually thorough with conditioning, I rushed things this week to prepare more birds than planned. As a result, we had our first disqualifications due to stubs—small feathers that can appear on the feet or legs of clean-legged breeds.
The second takeaway is to always remove feed and water before judging. We typically use ni**le waterers or small bottle cups to prevent our crested breeds from soiling their beards and crests. However, the club had pre-filled water glasses in the cages upon arrival that I left them in place instead of switching to our cups. As I learned later from the judge, our white-crested black Polish pullet was in the running for show champion until she dunked her head in the water and messed up her crest!
It’s encouraging to know we were that close to show champion instead of only class and these experiences motivate us to keep striving and improving. I also need to get better at picture taking but here’s a few from today.
