Cock-A-Doodle-Doo

Last weekend, Farmer Girl went to county fair to show her poultry-the culmination of her year long project. The "weekend" began on Wednesday evening with the check in of the chickens. We "bathed" them that afternoon to prepare them. Now THAT was an adventure. Have you ever tried to wash a chicken? Well, one that is still alive and kicking? First, we dipped them in flea and tick shampoo, then vinegar water and then a rinse. Dried them off and set them in separate pens to dry. She chose two roosters, actually Cockarels-a Barred Rock and a Rhode Island Red--and four hens or pullets-Buff Orpington for her Fit and Show, two Americaunas and one Australorp. However, one of her Americaunas was rejected for Bumblefoot. It is where there is an injury in the foot that becomes infected. There is a 50% mortality rate and it is very contagious. We had to quarantine her immediately and then disinfect our coop, but that comes later. There were over 100 entries in the poultry division-some open and mostly 4-H. Thursday morning began our early morning 45 minute treks to the fairgrounds to feed chickens and clean cages BEFORE 9 AM every day. We actually had a campsite, but were unable to use it since we needed to be at home working on the house. It made for a very busy, stressful weekend because she also had to return EVERY day for 1 hour of barn duty. We spent a lot of time on the road, but at least we had a parking spot at our campsite waiting on us.
As for the chickens, we were never supposed to have roosters, but we have FOUR! They were moved to their own pen about two weeks ago, because they were being mean (or doing what roosters do to hens). Sir Percy is our favorite and he actually got to stay with the hens since Farmer Girl was showing him and didn't want the other roosters to hurt him in any way. He is so regal. We really like him and if we could keep one, we would keep him. He did quite well at fair winning Best in Breed and a Blue Ribbon. He also participated in a crowing contest, but didn't win. You could win by the most crows in a specific time period. All of the participants just quit crowing and were silent. The rules changed to the first rooster who crowed would win. He was NOT the first. I think he was all crowed out after crowing all morning! Although, that is not the case at home as they crow all day long starting around 4 AM.
Our Rhode Island Red also won a blue ribbon.

On the first day, Farmer Girl had her Fit and Show. Her Buff Orpington, Thirty, was her hen of choice for this event. She is very easygoing and easy to handle. Below are the girls in the intermediate division waiting on their turn. This was a large group or 7 compared to the other ones and competition was fierce. Many of them have been showing poultry for many years.

Farmer Girl answering one of many questions during the Fit and Show. For instance: what is the gestation period of a goose? What kind of combs? Locate the oil gland and what is its use?

Thirty standing patiently.

The 4-H ribbon board after the Fit and Show and after the Type (the judge awards ribbons based on the "standard") We couldn't believe all the ribbons the next day. Farmer Girls are at the end of the first row on the right. Her Americauna also won Best in Breed and a Blue Ribbon. The Buff Orpington was RESERVE CHAMPION. Cool, huh? She didn't get a lot of premium money, but $35 isn't bad. Her dad said it paid for the gas...........

Farmer Girl also won a blue for her poster and one for her 4-H project book.
Some entered a dozen eggs and won ribbons. The eggs laid at fair by the various chickens were placed in a basket and then given away for someone to cook at their campsite :) Farmer Girl had not yet acquired a full dozen that matched so she couldn't do that. For several days, we had only gotten Americauna eggs, the colored ones, but then started getting the lovely brown ones. I have to tell you the taste of all of them is wonderful, definitely more distinct and flavorful than store bought!

Below is Farmer Girl and a friend during their barn duty. Don't they look like they are having a great time? During this time, they cleaned, watered and fielded questions from the public as they toured the barn. Farmer Girl said she loved it and would like to do it again. I think in another year, when the house is done and things are less stressful, I might enjoy it too. It would definitely be nicer to camp there and enjoy all the fair has to offer. (We did have Free passes and we did get FREE 90 minute carnival ride passes while only open to 4-Hers and enjoyed a bit of the rodeo too as well as funnel cakes :)). Hope you enjoy our bit of fair.

PS We also squeezed in some time on Saturday to completely clean and disinfect the entire coop as well as chase and check each chicken for Bumblefoot. We didn't see any more, but our one hen is still under quarantine for the time being. It's difficult to know how far to treat this for a chicken. We hate to give up on it and lose one to culling, especially since it is one of their favorites, Hawk. BUT, it is after all, just a chicken..........

God bless, Ellie~