AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

This is an interesting question.
For my part I show to showcase a particular breed or to seek the opinion of a judge I respect.
I have bred and shown many breeds over a period of 50 yrs and never been asked to declare if I bred a fowl or not.I am upfront if I have purchased a fowl and highlight my appreciation to the breeder for allowing me to have it.
I show it because it is a good representative of it's breed and by doing so declare it to be worthy of adding into my breeding programme as it has something to offer that I consider mine to lack.
The only point of ettiquette is that I think it is in poor taste to show under a judge you have purchased a bird from.I know it has been done and both parties made a killing as far as trophies and prizemoney goes but sooner or later the deception is found out and reputations are ruined.
I think if you own a fowl you are entitled to show it.
However the real satisfaction is in breeding your winners but that being said we all have to gain experience as a newcomer and would encourage anyone interested to show to do so and no matter if you bred the fowl or not.
My only gripe is with exhibitors who buy in all thier winners because they have the bank balance to do so,or can't breed them, they are not true fanciers but professional showman and make no contribution to the true fancy.

I think the vast majority that show purchased fowls are first year breeders but your right there are some that continue to show them in there second third or even fourth year when they should be show casing their achievements but as I said once you sell a fowl it’s no longer yours and you have no claim to it or if it wins a show.

The reasons for showing are many and varied but for most of us it is the pleasure we get, the enjoyment of participating and the friendships we make.
The whole point of showing is to showcase good fowls of the breeds we are interested in.
After 50 yrs I have no qualms about showing a fowl I have bought, particularly if it completes a team and shows off the breed to it's best advantage by being part of that breed display.
I do though make no secret that so & so bred it and that I'm thankful to them.
I do have a rare breed and have been known to show 16 at any show, not for the trophies or prizemoney but to display the breed to best advantage in a number of colours.
Nothing grabs the attention of a viewing public or other exhibitors like a line-up of good fowls the likes of which they do not see often.
I have even had a very elderly judge ask the steward who owned them "I want to shake his hand", because they wanted to know who it was that put down the display like "he had not seen in 50 yrs".
That is a compliment far greater than any trophy or prizemoney, a memory to be treasured.

Excellent post Oaklands, I am impressed 50 years is a long long time

Only when you are looking forward, not long at all looking back.
My mother tells it I walked at 9mths and went str8 to the chook pen, she has never been able to get me out since.
Best thing is it still holds as much facination and pleasure as it ever did.
I tell it that the last thing to leave the place before they carry me out in a box will be my fowls.
It is a hobby/interest unlike many others than can be a passion for "whole of life".
Keeps you alert, active, interested and far cheaper than a phsychiatrist to keep you sane, when you have the weight of the world on your shoulders a milk crate and a tin of feed is all you need, just sit and feed the fowls and before you know it the world is not such a bad place after all.

Can a child move from junior to open before he turns 18 and if so is it by the number of wins or wins and places he or she gets over a period of time?

A junior under 16 can move to open competition at any time, even right from the start.
The placing of some conditions on junior exhibitors is only to give other juniors a chance to experience success.
The classes were included to encourage new juniors to be involved and as a means to foster future breeders.
It depends on the club the restrictions placed, some make it a rule that after a certain number of wins as a junior they have to move up, others only have to move up at reaching age 16.
There will be an explanation of the rules and conditions of entry at the beginning of any show schedule where you intend showing or check with the club secretary.

I would not be in a rush for your child to go into the open class let him enjoy the experience of the juniors first and learn heaps as well

If a child has enough quality fowls to show there is nothing to prevent them from showing in both sections at the same show.
They are eligible to exhibit in open classes at any age and restricted by age or experience to exhibiting as a junior.
Instead of having "all your eggs in one basket" if you have sufficient good fowls spread you enjoyment and pleasure by dividing your entry.
Another option, thrown in for discussion.

Good point oaklands I think that is a good idea at least for the first few shows to give them a taste of open class


Raf