Those who think chickens are just black or white with red heads have obviously never been to a poultry show.
The sixth annual Pearl River Classic Exhibition Show Saturday at the Columbia Expo Center, poultry birds of every size, shape and color were on display. In fact more than 1,270 birds were registered, competing in 24 different classes. One person had as many as 17 different birds in various classes.
Not only was the Pearl River Classic held this past weekend, but also the American Poultry Association Semi-Annual show was in conjunction with it. This was the first time the American Poultry Association has ever had the semi-annual show this far south. People from more than 18 states and even Canada were all at the show on Saturday.
Julie McDonald, one of the local organizers, said this year, show saw an increase of more than 450 birds. She feels the semi-annual national show played a big part in this. Overall, she and the organizers were very excited, not only in the amount of entries but also the amount of people who came to the show just to walk around and look.
“We come every year; we love it,” Steve Mercier said as he and his wife, Cynthia, were walking around.
“This is a great place to bring the kids,” Jay Rayburn said.
Master Breeder Kim Breakfield was showing not any of her black silkee, which earned her the title of master breeder, but also her mottled frizzled cochin. A unique feature about the cochin is it has feathers on its feet. Breakfield said she has been showing birds for six years. During the year she said these birds roam and are treated like any other chicken in the yard. However, when it comes to show time, these chicken get a bath and are blown dry with a hair dryer.
Steve Blash from Massachusetts came to attend some meetings being held along with the show.
He was speaking with Clell Agler of Ohio, who came just to enjoy the show. Both gentleman have birds they show but did not bring any to this show. They both have also judged.
“We love attending the shows, and this is a first-class show,” Agler said on how the show was organized.
“It is well organized, and I love the camaraderie,” Blash said.
It was recommended if someone is interested in getting started in showing birds, to visit a show and speak to several breeders.
Some breeds, such as a Rhode Island Red, are less maintenance than other birds, such as mottled frizzled cochin. As everyone there loves the birds, people will open up and give advice and offer tips. In addition to the birds there were also various vendors set up all over the venue, offering a variety of items from pottery to clothing to poultry items.
