The Dufferin Agricultural Society (DAS) will be holding its second annual Poultry Fun Show at the upcoming Carman Fair on July 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Agriculture Education Tent north of the Carman Arena.
There will be eight classes at the Poultry Show: Best Layer, Best Feathered Leg, Best Other Breed, Best Game Bird, Best Bantam Duck, Best Medium/Large Duck, Funky Poultry, and Little Britches (for five-and-under competitors, where everyone wins).
The show will have a Senior and Junior section, with a champion and reserve champion for each section. Entry is a mere $3 per bird, and over $800 in prizes will be handed out this year to the most outstanding birds in the first, second, and third classes.
“We have a judge for the show coming in from Oakbank, who has been breeding for 18 years and showing poultry for over five years,” said Jacqueline Rudd of the Dufferin Agricultural Society and Ruddneck Ranch. “She has extensive knowledge of colour patterns and genetics of many breeds of chickens and waterfowl.”
Some fun facts about chicken showing for those interested in learning more and getting involved in the show are:
1) There are hundreds of chicken breeds, each with their unique characteristics and appearance.
2) Each breed is judged based on the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection, which considers body shape, size, colour, feather quality, and overall health.
3) Some exhibitors will groom their poultry meticulously before a show, including washing, trimming feathers, and even applying oil or conditioner to enhance their plumage and appearance.
4) Poultry shows play a big part in promoting and preserving rare and heritage breeds of chickens and waterfowl. With some of these breeds, there may be only five or six birds of each breed per province.
5) They are also a great place to talk to poultry keepers about housing, nutrition and grooming from seasoned exhibitors.
“My big push for this Poultry Fun Show is to try and increase interest from the younger generations to learn and perfect the art of poultry keeping and showing,” said Rudd.
Rudd and her chickens will participate in the upcoming Poultry Fun Show. Jacqueline and her parents, Cathy and Bill Rudd, own and operate the Ruddneck Ranch out of Roland.
“This all started with a trip to watch a poultry show in Portage la Prairie,” said Rudd. “I walked into the show, and my jaw dropped. I saw all of the different varieties and breeds and how magnificent and beautiful the birds were. I walked past a row of Silkies (a breed of Chickens known for soft, fluffy feathers and almost black skin and turquoise earlobes) and fell in love. I told my parents right there that I wanted to get a few chickens, specifically silkies, for our farm.”
The Rudds knew nothing about poultry other than how to feed and water it, so they started this adventure by purchasing a few birds at a time, correcting mistakes, and talking to others who had poultry farms.
Today, the Ruddneck Ranch now has over 13 breeds of poultry, totalling around 150- 200 birds.
“My obvious favourites are my Silkies, which I am currently working on breeding and correcting my genetics to get them as close to standard as possible.”
Rudd comes from a poultry background. Her great-grandmother J.A. Mclardy from Miami was featured in a newspaper in 1927 for having one of the first chickens to lay a record 302 eggs in one year. Mclardy went through extensive breeding programs with the Manitoba poultry keepers under the rules of a Manitoba-approved flock plan of the Dominion livestock branch.
At one point, Mclardy had a flock that consisted of over 80 hens, 155 pullets and 150 cockerels. Some of her birds were even selected to participate in the World’s Poultry Congress as part of the Manitoba Record of Performance exhibit.
“So you could say that poultry keeping is in my blood, and I hope to pass this knowledge and love of poultry down to further generations, including my eight-year-old daughter Beau, who also shares in my love for birds and all animals.”
The Ruddneck Ranch’s petting zoo is open for bookings this summer and is perfect for birthday parties, family gatherings, etc. The cost is $90 per hour, plus mileage, and the animals can include chickens, goats, sheep, a pig, turkeys, and ducks.
For more information or to check availability, email Jacqueline Rudd at Jacq_18rudd@outlook.com or call at 204-312-0542.
