Backyard Poultry Forum

For the past few years I've entered my birds in the Goulburn Show.I know that they are far from perfect but I believe that one of the roles of a poultry show is to introduce the general public to 'birds which are not brown and answer to Isa'.
I have had little to none as competition so the aray of ribbons and trophies at home mean nothing more than that my birds have been ranked by a judge.
If you have these breeds and can give me something to compete against, please do. I'd rather be disqualified than win by default.
Show dates for 2015 June 14
August 16

Sue

I showed Barnevelders for 15 years and rarely had any competition at club shows, this is simply a fact of life with Barnevelders. Barnies are popular with backyarders but, for exhibition purposes, most people just find them to much hard work to breed to Standard and get disillusioned when they don't win major awards. Mind you I won my fair share of Best in Show at Agricultural shows with Barnevelders as well as Best in Show on several occasions at specialist Rare Breed shows.

The key at a club show is to put on a display yourself. I would regularly enter 2 cock birds, three hens, three cockerels and three pullets. This meant that the judge had to make decisions and a row of a dozen or so Barnevelders bought then to the attention of the other exhibitors. At almost every show the judge made mention of them in their presentation which, again, bought them to peoples attention. Encourage your local club to put on an award for Best Rare Breed. This is a major award that a Barnevelder should be able to take out.

I would also encourage you to travel to Rare Breed shows. The Rare Poultry Breeders Association (have a look at their website) at Maitland is on 15th May and there are usually reasonable sized Barnevelder classes there. They also have a Best Barnevelder or Welsummer trophy as well as a Reserve Champion Barnevelder or Welsummer trophy. Don't ask - is was a case of two people simultaneously organising one trophy.

Good luck with them.

David

Thanks David - I do much the same re putting on a display, trouble is to make a class I need 6 which means that I'm generally scratching to find the numbers. Problem with the boys, because I try to use the less laced ones for breeding, the showier, laced ones are disposed of. The Barnies can go in the 'any other breed' classes but I like to see them making their own statement.
Maybe I could convince the club to have a 'Dutch Breed' class

Generally "six to make a class" refers to six of the breed, not six pullets etc. No club will put on a "Dutch Breed" class, nor should they, but if you approach the club and indicate that you will support the classes if they put them on they will usually oblige.

I'm well known for my thoughts on the black-breast means better laced females theory. There are some very vocal supporters of this theory that simply refuse to acknowledge any other views so I won't bother.

Any chance David Geering you could help answer this question?? (Hope this cut and paste works?)

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=8035092

Thanks

Thank you Rockett

There has been a lot written on this subject. I know what worked for me and I consistently bred some very good Barnevelders in the process. However, a small, very vocal group are of the opinion that they know a great deal more about breeding Barnevelders and yelled me down on every occasion. I will not be not entering into this discussion on social media.

I understand why you don't want to discuss publicly. Such a shame that people are so closed minded and ignorant that they think their way is the only way! Clearly as you have said you've consistently breed good birds, why can't they appreciate that? I thought these forums are here for all to learn about each other's experiences, what works what doesn't, and hopefully us newbies can learn and breed something great in years to come also (with the help of others)! Back to google!

Thanks David for your response. As Rockett has said I respect your policy of silence. It is such a pity that there is no Australian Barnevelder Club to provide a reliable resource (and forum). As a small breeder I don't have the facilities or resources (or desire) to breed many and cull hard (or to put a lot of rejects on the market) Nor do I have the ability to attend remote shows.

I would also like to receive some guidance on this.
I am in a position now to try out the theory. But it will take some time -- a year (or so).
The trouble that I have with this theory is the variety of outcome from one rooster. I have seen my rooster produce roosters with lovely lacing while at the same time producing completely dark chested offspring, wouldn't these two carry similar genetic material onto their offspring even though they appear different? Why does outward appearance of the rooster have such a significant effect on the lacing of the hens -- when much of the genetic material is hidden from view?

In any case, I am breeding from a DL Barnie with not much chest lacing at all. Although he is lighter in colour he is giving me some quite dark roosters with beautiful chest lacing and some darker hens as well. Should I be breeding from these roosters and hens? At this stage I am a novice and the outcome is entirely unplanned. I would like to introduce some element of planning into the equation.

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A mind once stretched by a new idea never returns to its original dimensions. -Oliver Wendell Holmes

Hi BarnieRaiser (and Rocket).
I tried to get some advice on this in a previous post 'Breeding Barnevelders' but got NO help - seems that this is either a secret, or a touchy subject that no one can/will address on the forum. There was apparently an attempt several years ago to start a Barnevelder club but it didn't happen. Unfortunately the information available online refers to overseas birds (where the standards,and hence breeding strategies, may differ to those in Australia.)

Thanks, Sue. I have seen the same friction of opinion on other national forums. I should know better.
I have gained so much help over the past year on BYP just by searching for answers. Perhaps in this case I will find an answer with my own birds given (lots of) time.

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A mind once stretched by a new idea never returns to its original dimensions. -Oliver Wendell Holmes

Hi,
I also have Barnevelders (D/L), Just started last year and have the first chicks from 2014, like you said its hard to get info and I have been to a couple of show lately and their has been some enter. last Sunday one lady I was talking to about her Barnies and she rang around to get a class and they ended up with 8 all up. As stated I have just started with them, may show 2 at Lawnton later this month just need to check weight, I think mine are to small (but not bantams) But I have two line and will keep trying and see what comes but it looks good up here (Queenslander) that there are getting around.

Well, I may not have had the hoped for competition but I entered 20 Araucanas and Barnevelders and came home with a HUGE confidence boost - an award for 'an Exhibitor who has won a 'Best of Breed' but Did Not Win a Major Award', some good feedback on my birds and why they were placed (1st, 2nd 3rd and best of breed) and an approach by a judge wishing to buy a trio of my Barnevelders

Well done Sue
You must be on the right track.
I like that award too.

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Erika