Cochins International Winter Online Show - February, 2015
Entries for the Winter 2015 Show will be accepted beginning February 1, 2015. The ENTRY DEADLINE is Midnight, February 7, 2015 for both Entry Form (online) and Photo Submission (email).
JUDGE for the Winter 2015 Show will be Linda Blackman.
Click here for ENTRY FORM AND RULES.
Photos of all entries will be posted below as they are received. As with normal shows, Exhibitor's names will be not shown on the Coop tags.
Click on the first photo of each entry - it will enlarge and allow you to scroll through all six pictures.
JUDGE for the Winter 2015 Show will be Linda Blackman.
Click here for ENTRY FORM AND RULES.
Photos of all entries will be posted below as they are received. As with normal shows, Exhibitor's names will be not shown on the Coop tags.
Click on the first photo of each entry - it will enlarge and allow you to scroll through all six pictures.
Cochins International Winter Online Show Summary
By Linda Blackman, Judge
February, 2015
"First of all, thank you for sharing the pictures of your birds with me and allowing me to critique them. I know the effort it takes to prep them and then get them to stand properly till you get the focus and angle correct. Taking pictures of your Cochins and studying them allows you to see them through new eyes. We get used to seeing them every day in their cages or running around in the yard. You may pick up on things that need work, or you may recognize the growth and change in that pullet from the photo you took of her last month.
I have chosen to divide my comments by type, color, and condition. These are the major elements that a judge looks at when considering a bird. Type is, of course, most important. It is what sets the breed apart from all other breeds. Roundness and balance are critical. Anything that disturbs this look will affect type. It could be a too small tail, wings too long and loose, or feathers that are too sparse and stringy, rather than broad and full. The bird could tip forward or stand too tall. Good color is tough to achieve, yes, especially in the parti-colored varieties, but also in the solid colors. Judges can tend to be more critical of the blacks and whites, expecting perfection. You have to work at color, not only in the genetics of your bird, but in the care. Which leads us to condition. Although roundness is a primary feature of the Cochin, a judge does not want to see a big blob that just sits there. A healthy bird is an alert and proud bird. It shows in its stance, in its eyes and face, and feather condition. Help your bird maintain this look by feeding appropriately, providing opportunity for exercise, and keeping it clean and as stress free as possible. Don’t bring a bird to a show that is still coming back from a heavy molt as this will just cause stress, which will ruin its look in the long run.
I see some nice birds in this online competition. It makes me want to handle them to examine them more properly. Thus said, I hope to see some of them in a show room in the future. Good luck with your endeavors!"
By Linda Blackman, Judge
February, 2015
"First of all, thank you for sharing the pictures of your birds with me and allowing me to critique them. I know the effort it takes to prep them and then get them to stand properly till you get the focus and angle correct. Taking pictures of your Cochins and studying them allows you to see them through new eyes. We get used to seeing them every day in their cages or running around in the yard. You may pick up on things that need work, or you may recognize the growth and change in that pullet from the photo you took of her last month.
I have chosen to divide my comments by type, color, and condition. These are the major elements that a judge looks at when considering a bird. Type is, of course, most important. It is what sets the breed apart from all other breeds. Roundness and balance are critical. Anything that disturbs this look will affect type. It could be a too small tail, wings too long and loose, or feathers that are too sparse and stringy, rather than broad and full. The bird could tip forward or stand too tall. Good color is tough to achieve, yes, especially in the parti-colored varieties, but also in the solid colors. Judges can tend to be more critical of the blacks and whites, expecting perfection. You have to work at color, not only in the genetics of your bird, but in the care. Which leads us to condition. Although roundness is a primary feature of the Cochin, a judge does not want to see a big blob that just sits there. A healthy bird is an alert and proud bird. It shows in its stance, in its eyes and face, and feather condition. Help your bird maintain this look by feeding appropriately, providing opportunity for exercise, and keeping it clean and as stress free as possible. Don’t bring a bird to a show that is still coming back from a heavy molt as this will just cause stress, which will ruin its look in the long run.
I see some nice birds in this online competition. It makes me want to handle them to examine them more properly. Thus said, I hope to see some of them in a show room in the future. Good luck with your endeavors!"
Bantam Class / Standard Varieties:
Entry #3 - Splash Cock: 1st Place / Best of Variety / by Mandy Malin
"Type – Overall, this bird displays pretty good type. He’s a good size, has a nice full breast and carries good width of back, leading into a broad tail. He has the roundness required of a Cochin, but maintains good balance. He could have a better comb and smaller wings tucked in under his saddle.
Color – I like the dark blue splotches on his top line. There is color, but not more than 50% and I don’t see any brassiness. I’d like to see brighter yellow feet on him.
Condition – This bird displays good condition. He looks healthy and alert. He has nice evenness of feather length on the wing. It looks like he’s a bit sparse in his tail fluff coverage, but I’m not sure if that’s because of the narrowness of the feathers or that there are some missing."
"Type – Overall, this bird displays pretty good type. He’s a good size, has a nice full breast and carries good width of back, leading into a broad tail. He has the roundness required of a Cochin, but maintains good balance. He could have a better comb and smaller wings tucked in under his saddle.
Color – I like the dark blue splotches on his top line. There is color, but not more than 50% and I don’t see any brassiness. I’d like to see brighter yellow feet on him.
Condition – This bird displays good condition. He looks healthy and alert. He has nice evenness of feather length on the wing. It looks like he’s a bit sparse in his tail fluff coverage, but I’m not sure if that’s because of the narrowness of the feathers or that there are some missing."
Entry #4 - Splash Pullet: 1st Place / Reserve of Variety / by Mandy Malin
"Type – This bird looks a bit off-balance in profile. She has a nice round breast, but her tail looks small in comparison. This could be due to the angle of the camera. I like her nicely tucked wing with the under fluff prominently showing. She has the big round eye we desire, but her skull looks a little narrow, especially in the second photo.
Color – I would like to see more “large, irregular shaped blobs” of dark blue on this bird, especially in her tail, as stated in the color description in the ABA Standard. She has good ground color, though. Her feet look more flesh colored than they should be, but we must give leeway to a female who could be laying heavily. Her face is also somewhat pale.
Condition – She seems quite alert and attentive through her session. She looks like she has some minor feather condition issues in her back and tail."
"Type – This bird looks a bit off-balance in profile. She has a nice round breast, but her tail looks small in comparison. This could be due to the angle of the camera. I like her nicely tucked wing with the under fluff prominently showing. She has the big round eye we desire, but her skull looks a little narrow, especially in the second photo.
Color – I would like to see more “large, irregular shaped blobs” of dark blue on this bird, especially in her tail, as stated in the color description in the ABA Standard. She has good ground color, though. Her feet look more flesh colored than they should be, but we must give leeway to a female who could be laying heavily. Her face is also somewhat pale.
Condition – She seems quite alert and attentive through her session. She looks like she has some minor feather condition issues in her back and tail."
Entry #18 - Blue Hen: 1st Place
"Type – This hen looks great from the top. I really like her width. She is beautifully balanced from this view. She falls apart a bit in the profile. Her breast seems to taper in and the rear of her tail flattens out. She has good wing placement and a lovely fluff apron. We need a bit of daylight between those legs. I can’t tell if it’s because of profuse feathering without handling. That’s a nice cushiony round tail from the top view. Decent head.
Color- Beautiful, even blue ground cover, but needs stronger dark lacing and has shafting that is quite prominent. Do I see a bit of white in her leg feathers? Nice yellow feet for a hen. Eye color is a little light.
Condition – Hen is healthy and in nice condition. Her feathering shows this, along with her wide-eyed, alert look. She’s got a few holes in her tail and the start of some bumblefoot which needs watching. She looks squeaky clean; that makes us judges happy."
"Type – This hen looks great from the top. I really like her width. She is beautifully balanced from this view. She falls apart a bit in the profile. Her breast seems to taper in and the rear of her tail flattens out. She has good wing placement and a lovely fluff apron. We need a bit of daylight between those legs. I can’t tell if it’s because of profuse feathering without handling. That’s a nice cushiony round tail from the top view. Decent head.
Color- Beautiful, even blue ground cover, but needs stronger dark lacing and has shafting that is quite prominent. Do I see a bit of white in her leg feathers? Nice yellow feet for a hen. Eye color is a little light.
Condition – Hen is healthy and in nice condition. Her feathering shows this, along with her wide-eyed, alert look. She’s got a few holes in her tail and the start of some bumblefoot which needs watching. She looks squeaky clean; that makes us judges happy."
Entry #20 - Blue Hen: 2nd Place
"Type – The first thing that I notice is that the pose does not work for this hen. She seems to be stretching in the front. This could be what makes her breast look so uneven, bumped out on the bottom. I really like her head and round eye, but I can’t see her comb to evaluate. She looks like she’s got some lift between her legs, even with the low breast. It’s hard to judge her balance effectively from these pictures, but I think it’s OK. A real plus for this hen is the width of feather, especially in the tail. This is usually a difficult thing to manage with the blues. Wing placement is good.
Color – I like the lacing on this hen better than #18, even though her ground cover is not as even and her lacing fades into the tail. She also has shafting, which is so hard to clean up. Her uneven color shows up particularly in her wing. She has the right eye color and those nice yellow feet.
Condition – She wins my Miss Congeniality award for her curiosity and perky little self! She has foot feathers in fine condition; nicely rounded and not frayed. She looks a bit out in the wing and has a few gaps in her tail, but otherwise, she’s in fine health."
"Type – The first thing that I notice is that the pose does not work for this hen. She seems to be stretching in the front. This could be what makes her breast look so uneven, bumped out on the bottom. I really like her head and round eye, but I can’t see her comb to evaluate. She looks like she’s got some lift between her legs, even with the low breast. It’s hard to judge her balance effectively from these pictures, but I think it’s OK. A real plus for this hen is the width of feather, especially in the tail. This is usually a difficult thing to manage with the blues. Wing placement is good.
Color – I like the lacing on this hen better than #18, even though her ground cover is not as even and her lacing fades into the tail. She also has shafting, which is so hard to clean up. Her uneven color shows up particularly in her wing. She has the right eye color and those nice yellow feet.
Condition – She wins my Miss Congeniality award for her curiosity and perky little self! She has foot feathers in fine condition; nicely rounded and not frayed. She looks a bit out in the wing and has a few gaps in her tail, but otherwise, she’s in fine health."
Entry #21 - Blue Hen: 3rd Place
"Type – Along with Hen #20, the profile pose does not help this hen. She seems low and not rounded in the front, as well as narrow in the front from the top view. She again tapers in with a narrower tail than her middle. I like her skull which gives her a nicely rounded head and her comb looks good. She comes across as being small for a hen to me. She has nice feather width in the tail. She has a bit of a long beak, but keeping it trimmed would help her profile.
Color – This hen seems to have the best lacing of the three, even though it does taper off in the tail like the others. She shows shafting, also (I’d love to see a picture of a blue that doesn’t!).She has better wing color than #20. Great eye color.
Condition – Looks like this hen may be on the tail end of coming back from a partial molt. I see a few pin feathers in the head and hackle area, which, when finished, will help smooth out this area. She also has some holes in her back and tail. Feet look like they might be a little sore, probably from time on wire? She has a rudimentary outer toe, but we can’t cut her for that. Her foot feathers look in mint condition."
"Type – Along with Hen #20, the profile pose does not help this hen. She seems low and not rounded in the front, as well as narrow in the front from the top view. She again tapers in with a narrower tail than her middle. I like her skull which gives her a nicely rounded head and her comb looks good. She comes across as being small for a hen to me. She has nice feather width in the tail. She has a bit of a long beak, but keeping it trimmed would help her profile.
Color – This hen seems to have the best lacing of the three, even though it does taper off in the tail like the others. She shows shafting, also (I’d love to see a picture of a blue that doesn’t!).She has better wing color than #20. Great eye color.
Condition – Looks like this hen may be on the tail end of coming back from a partial molt. I see a few pin feathers in the head and hackle area, which, when finished, will help smooth out this area. She also has some holes in her back and tail. Feet look like they might be a little sore, probably from time on wire? She has a rudimentary outer toe, but we can’t cut her for that. Her foot feathers look in mint condition."
Entry #5 - Blue Pullet: 1st Place / Best of Variety / BEST BANTAM / CHAMPION COCHIN / by Mandy Malin
"Type – Here is some of the nice round balance of a Cochin. You can see that she silhouettes with the 2 concentric circles of the breed. Her breast is round and proportionate. Wing placement is a tad low, but not bad. Front view makes her look a little heavy on the bottom, but I think it’s just the profusion of feathers. She has a great head with an almost perfect comb. I wish she showed just a little more back between the hackle and saddle. She has good feather width and some nice fluff is situated below the wing. She’s a keeper!
Color – I love the even dark blue of her hackle. She has lacing which does fade out in the tail, like the others, but her shafting is much less prominent. Good blue bottom color, pretty yellow feet and appropriate eye color. I think it’s just the light placement in the first picture that makes part of her hackle look brownish.
Condition – This pullet looks in great condition except for the holes in her tail. I think she would do well in a class of blues at a show."
"Type – Here is some of the nice round balance of a Cochin. You can see that she silhouettes with the 2 concentric circles of the breed. Her breast is round and proportionate. Wing placement is a tad low, but not bad. Front view makes her look a little heavy on the bottom, but I think it’s just the profusion of feathers. She has a great head with an almost perfect comb. I wish she showed just a little more back between the hackle and saddle. She has good feather width and some nice fluff is situated below the wing. She’s a keeper!
Color – I love the even dark blue of her hackle. She has lacing which does fade out in the tail, like the others, but her shafting is much less prominent. Good blue bottom color, pretty yellow feet and appropriate eye color. I think it’s just the light placement in the first picture that makes part of her hackle look brownish.
Condition – This pullet looks in great condition except for the holes in her tail. I think she would do well in a class of blues at a show."
Entry #6 - Blue Pullet: 2nd Place / Reserve of Variety / RESERVE BANTAM / RESERVE CHAMPION COCHIN / by Mandy Malin
"Type – What a profile – round, round and round. She’s got a round tail, rounded breast, and round head. She’s sitting just a little too low here; I can’t see how we could see any daylight through those legs. She also doesn’t show much back between her hackle and saddle, but still her front and back are balanced. Her neck is short and nicely arched. Her wing looks just a little long. She’s got great width from the top view.
Color – Good blue color all around. Darn that lack of lacing in the tail, but much less shafting. Gotta love those yellow feet and nice eye. It’s hard to find any serious faults on this bird’s color.
Condition – This pullet is obviously healthy and well-cared for. She also looks alert, but well-behaved, which is a plus in a show cage. She’s also got a few holes breaking up the smoothness of her tail. I just wish she had a little lift under her."
"Type – What a profile – round, round and round. She’s got a round tail, rounded breast, and round head. She’s sitting just a little too low here; I can’t see how we could see any daylight through those legs. She also doesn’t show much back between her hackle and saddle, but still her front and back are balanced. Her neck is short and nicely arched. Her wing looks just a little long. She’s got great width from the top view.
Color – Good blue color all around. Darn that lack of lacing in the tail, but much less shafting. Gotta love those yellow feet and nice eye. It’s hard to find any serious faults on this bird’s color.
Condition – This pullet is obviously healthy and well-cared for. She also looks alert, but well-behaved, which is a plus in a show cage. She’s also got a few holes breaking up the smoothness of her tail. I just wish she had a little lift under her."
Entry #7 - Silver Laced Hen: 1st Place / Best of Variety / by Amanda Storey
"Type – The balance on this bird is thrown off by a small, short-type tail. In contrast, she has a nice, full breast, carried well forward, with at least an inch of clearance so the breast feathers don’t touch the ground. I like the shape of her head even though her comb has a few minor faults. She narrows out in the top view with that tail. I’m missing the profuse fluff off the legs, and that makes me worry about possible stiff feathers leaning toward vulture hocks. Hard to tell without feeling.
Color – Wow! This hen’s coloring pops and it makes her stand out. She displays a bright white interior of each feather, surrounded by solid black lacing. I wish that lacing was more even and not quite as thick. Her eye looks like pale green instead of the reddish bay that it should be and she’s sporting a bit of smut in a few tail and wing feathers. What nice, bright yellow feet!
Condition – This hen looks healthy and alert. It looks like she’s minus a few feathers in the tail. Her nice red face color makes her look like she may have enjoyed some beneficial outside time."
"Type – The balance on this bird is thrown off by a small, short-type tail. In contrast, she has a nice, full breast, carried well forward, with at least an inch of clearance so the breast feathers don’t touch the ground. I like the shape of her head even though her comb has a few minor faults. She narrows out in the top view with that tail. I’m missing the profuse fluff off the legs, and that makes me worry about possible stiff feathers leaning toward vulture hocks. Hard to tell without feeling.
Color – Wow! This hen’s coloring pops and it makes her stand out. She displays a bright white interior of each feather, surrounded by solid black lacing. I wish that lacing was more even and not quite as thick. Her eye looks like pale green instead of the reddish bay that it should be and she’s sporting a bit of smut in a few tail and wing feathers. What nice, bright yellow feet!
Condition – This hen looks healthy and alert. It looks like she’s minus a few feathers in the tail. Her nice red face color makes her look like she may have enjoyed some beneficial outside time."
Entry #8 - Barred Cockerel: 1st Place / Reserve of Variety / by Lacy Conlan
"Type – This male’s breast cuts back at the keel and throws his balanced look off. I like his wing placement; they look like they’d tuck nicely under his saddle feathers if those were more profuse. He has a faulty comb which tilts a bit to one side with a thumbprint on the other side. I would like to see a better, rounder eye on him. He looks a little long in the back, but it’s hard to judge from the top view photo. His primary wing feathers look narrow and I can’t tell about his secondaries.
Color – This is a tough variety for Cochins. Barring for males should be ½ white and ½ black. His barring is uneven and runny in places. The bars should go straight across the quill on each feather. This is one way that quality striped clothing is judged, that even across seams the stripes should be perfect and it goes for this variety of poultry, too. But his barring looks like it extends throughout the feather and his feet are a nice yellow. Eye color is one of the best.
Condition – The cockerel has bright red color in comb and face, which is indicative of good health. His tail looks sparse and he has a few broken foot feathers."
"Type – This male’s breast cuts back at the keel and throws his balanced look off. I like his wing placement; they look like they’d tuck nicely under his saddle feathers if those were more profuse. He has a faulty comb which tilts a bit to one side with a thumbprint on the other side. I would like to see a better, rounder eye on him. He looks a little long in the back, but it’s hard to judge from the top view photo. His primary wing feathers look narrow and I can’t tell about his secondaries.
Color – This is a tough variety for Cochins. Barring for males should be ½ white and ½ black. His barring is uneven and runny in places. The bars should go straight across the quill on each feather. This is one way that quality striped clothing is judged, that even across seams the stripes should be perfect and it goes for this variety of poultry, too. But his barring looks like it extends throughout the feather and his feet are a nice yellow. Eye color is one of the best.
Condition – The cockerel has bright red color in comb and face, which is indicative of good health. His tail looks sparse and he has a few broken foot feathers."
Entry #15 - Barred Pullet: 1st Place / Best of Variety / by Amanda Walker
"Type – Even with a not-so-good profile picture, I can see that this bird has pretty good Cochin balance, regardless of her somewhat pointed tail. I like her breast; not a break to be found in its roundness. She looks like her wing should have good placement, but that she was just in the act of folding it. Hard to tell from that photo. She has a pretty young female face, with 1 more point on her comb than she needs. Hope she doesn’t tuck her head like that as a habit, but she may grow out of it with more confidence.
Color – Barring on a female is 2/3 black, 1/3 white. This pullet is pretty close, but the barring is not as distinct as it should be. There should be no “running” of the two colors into each other. It looks like her barring goes all the way through the feather. Her wing feathers are pretty muddy. Her beak should be swarthy yellow, not white. The picture of her feet should show bottoms, not tops, so it’s hard to tell the color.
Condition – The pullet looks healthy and cared for. She has a good bright eye and looks like she eats well. She is out in the tail some and her foot feathers should be clean for showing."
"Type – Even with a not-so-good profile picture, I can see that this bird has pretty good Cochin balance, regardless of her somewhat pointed tail. I like her breast; not a break to be found in its roundness. She looks like her wing should have good placement, but that she was just in the act of folding it. Hard to tell from that photo. She has a pretty young female face, with 1 more point on her comb than she needs. Hope she doesn’t tuck her head like that as a habit, but she may grow out of it with more confidence.
Color – Barring on a female is 2/3 black, 1/3 white. This pullet is pretty close, but the barring is not as distinct as it should be. There should be no “running” of the two colors into each other. It looks like her barring goes all the way through the feather. Her wing feathers are pretty muddy. Her beak should be swarthy yellow, not white. The picture of her feet should show bottoms, not tops, so it’s hard to tell the color.
Condition – The pullet looks healthy and cared for. She has a good bright eye and looks like she eats well. She is out in the tail some and her foot feathers should be clean for showing."
Entry #14 - Black Frizzle Cock: 1st Place / Best of Variety / by Lacy Conlan
"Type – This bird is a little too loosely frizzled, and in some places such as the tail, does not look curled at all. I like the curling on his head and his hackle, but it seems to loosen up the further back you go on him. He looks like he has good overall width over the back, but is a little too long. He carries his wing low and loose, when it should be high and tight. He has a few stringy and narrow feathers in his wing. I like his head and comb.
Color – This male has good black color with a nice green sheen. He has a bright red face and comb which shows nicely against the black. Judging from the black fluff I can see through his tail, the black carries all the way through to the skin. He has good yellow feet.
Condition – The bird displays in good health with no stress. He has a few foot feathers that end with bare shafting and seems sparse in the tail."
"Type – This bird is a little too loosely frizzled, and in some places such as the tail, does not look curled at all. I like the curling on his head and his hackle, but it seems to loosen up the further back you go on him. He looks like he has good overall width over the back, but is a little too long. He carries his wing low and loose, when it should be high and tight. He has a few stringy and narrow feathers in his wing. I like his head and comb.
Color – This male has good black color with a nice green sheen. He has a bright red face and comb which shows nicely against the black. Judging from the black fluff I can see through his tail, the black carries all the way through to the skin. He has good yellow feet.
Condition – The bird displays in good health with no stress. He has a few foot feathers that end with bare shafting and seems sparse in the tail."
Entry #16 - Birchen Hen: 1st Place / Best of Variety / by Nancy Compton
"Type – It is hard to properly judge balance in this bird from her profile picture. She reminds me of the classic Marilyn Monroe picture with the breeze blowing up her skirt! She is pretty enough for the comparison. I like her head and especially her round, dark eye. She looks a bit petite for a hen, and narrow in the body. This is especially enhanced since her tail comes to a point. She has good wing placement and good fluff off the leg.
Color – Her head should be white, going down into the hackle as black with narrow white lacing. Her lacing is a little thicker than needed, but good and distinct. She has a bit of leakage going down her breast. She has a good green sheen on her black. Swarthy yellow feet are appropriate.
Condition – The little hen seems to be quite healthy and alert. Other than her tail, which is missing a few feathers, her feathers seem in good condition and clean. I am impressed with the nice condition of her foot feathers."
"Type – It is hard to properly judge balance in this bird from her profile picture. She reminds me of the classic Marilyn Monroe picture with the breeze blowing up her skirt! She is pretty enough for the comparison. I like her head and especially her round, dark eye. She looks a bit petite for a hen, and narrow in the body. This is especially enhanced since her tail comes to a point. She has good wing placement and good fluff off the leg.
Color – Her head should be white, going down into the hackle as black with narrow white lacing. Her lacing is a little thicker than needed, but good and distinct. She has a bit of leakage going down her breast. She has a good green sheen on her black. Swarthy yellow feet are appropriate.
Condition – The little hen seems to be quite healthy and alert. Other than her tail, which is missing a few feathers, her feathers seem in good condition and clean. I am impressed with the nice condition of her foot feathers."
Entry #19 - Black Cock: 1st Place / Best of Variety / by Jodi Frye
"Type – I’m hoping that it’s just the moment in time that this profile picture was taken of this male that makes him look so off balance. He appears to have a distinct forward lean here, with his feet not quite centered under him. He has a nice full hackle, but his tail could use more coverage. I like the shape of his head, but it looks like frostbite got the tips of his comb. Wing placement looks appropriate and would appear even more so with better tail feathers to cover the tips.
Color – I am impressed with the green sheen on his very shiny black feathers. Bright yellow feet are right on, but he could have better eye color.
Condition – This bird looks quite healthy and is in very good condition. His feather quality, especially looking at the wing feathers, shows that he is nutritionally supported, as well as protected from breakage. Even his foot feathers are nice and round at the ends."
"Type – I’m hoping that it’s just the moment in time that this profile picture was taken of this male that makes him look so off balance. He appears to have a distinct forward lean here, with his feet not quite centered under him. He has a nice full hackle, but his tail could use more coverage. I like the shape of his head, but it looks like frostbite got the tips of his comb. Wing placement looks appropriate and would appear even more so with better tail feathers to cover the tips.
Color – I am impressed with the green sheen on his very shiny black feathers. Bright yellow feet are right on, but he could have better eye color.
Condition – This bird looks quite healthy and is in very good condition. His feather quality, especially looking at the wing feathers, shows that he is nutritionally supported, as well as protected from breakage. Even his foot feathers are nice and round at the ends."
Entry #17 - Black Hen: 1st Place / Reserve of Variety / by Nancy Compton
"Type – It is hard for me to get a true judgment of this hen from these photos. She looks rather low set to me, in the breast and in the tail. Her breast also looks flat in profile. Her wing doesn’t look folded properly, making it look lower than it possibly is. I can’t see her head in profile, but from the other pictures, she looks like she has a good skull, eye, and decent comb. Her feathers appear loose and blowsy, not smooth. She’s got nice fluff in her skirting.
Color – It is harder to get a nice green sheen on a black female than a male and this hen seems to have it. I don’t see any off-color shades on her, besides what the camera light gives her. She’s also got a pretty red face and good eye color. Nice to see the yellow feet on a hen.
Condition – The hen looks healthy and alert. She is missing some feathers in her tail and back. Maybe a partial molt? Otherwise, she seems well-prepped for show with trimmed nails, clean feet, and fluff not matted. She could benefit from a little beak trimming."
"Type – It is hard for me to get a true judgment of this hen from these photos. She looks rather low set to me, in the breast and in the tail. Her breast also looks flat in profile. Her wing doesn’t look folded properly, making it look lower than it possibly is. I can’t see her head in profile, but from the other pictures, she looks like she has a good skull, eye, and decent comb. Her feathers appear loose and blowsy, not smooth. She’s got nice fluff in her skirting.
Color – It is harder to get a nice green sheen on a black female than a male and this hen seems to have it. I don’t see any off-color shades on her, besides what the camera light gives her. She’s also got a pretty red face and good eye color. Nice to see the yellow feet on a hen.
Condition – The hen looks healthy and alert. She is missing some feathers in her tail and back. Maybe a partial molt? Otherwise, she seems well-prepped for show with trimmed nails, clean feet, and fluff not matted. She could benefit from a little beak trimming."
Bantam Class / Non-Standard Varieties:
Entry #1 - Blue Mottled Pullet: 2nd Place / Reserve of Variety / by Mandy Malin
"Type – These two pullets must be related as they have some of the same plusses and minuses. Her top line is correct, with the tip of the comb parallel with the top of her tail. Wing placement is good, with profuse fluff underneath. She’s got a nice round breast and is well balanced but would look even better if her tail’s feather quality was improved. They are narrow and don’t fill in, and the white mottling at the ends kind of exaggerates that look. Her head seems a little small.
Color –This pullet’s head is too white, and she should have more mottling in her hackle. She has fairly good mottling on the rest of her, just a bit uneven. She is lacking mottling in her wing primaries and secondaries. She also has a few suspicious-looking all-white feathers in her wing bow, which is a no-no. Good yellow feet covered nicely.
Condition – Feather condition is very nice and the pullet looks healthy. She has a bright eye, but she’s a bit pale in the face also."
"Type – These two pullets must be related as they have some of the same plusses and minuses. Her top line is correct, with the tip of the comb parallel with the top of her tail. Wing placement is good, with profuse fluff underneath. She’s got a nice round breast and is well balanced but would look even better if her tail’s feather quality was improved. They are narrow and don’t fill in, and the white mottling at the ends kind of exaggerates that look. Her head seems a little small.
Color –This pullet’s head is too white, and she should have more mottling in her hackle. She has fairly good mottling on the rest of her, just a bit uneven. She is lacking mottling in her wing primaries and secondaries. She also has a few suspicious-looking all-white feathers in her wing bow, which is a no-no. Good yellow feet covered nicely.
Condition – Feather condition is very nice and the pullet looks healthy. She has a bright eye, but she’s a bit pale in the face also."
Entry #2 - Blue Mottled Pullet: 1st Place / Best of Variety / by Mandy Malin
"Type – In her profile picture, this pullet looks like she’s standing just a bit too high, but when I look at her second picture, she seems to have the correct top line. Her breast looks a little flat in profile, but is nicely round from the front. The feathers in her tail are rather short and narrow, but she’s got very good width all the way through her back and including her tail. She’s got a nice round head and eye.
Color – Blue Mottled is a non-standard variety, but is pretty easy to determine because Mottled is standard. We just change the ground color from black to blue. This pullet has fairly good mottling on a pretty blue ground color. She’s lacking mottling in her wing and might have a solid white feather in her foot feathers, which is undesirable. Yellow feet are good, but her face is too pale.
Condition – This bird looks healthy, alert, and well-cared for. A few feathers are missing in the tail, but her wing and foot feathers show good condition. She’s a bit pale in the face. It could be redder. Some sunshine and outside time might help."
"Type – In her profile picture, this pullet looks like she’s standing just a bit too high, but when I look at her second picture, she seems to have the correct top line. Her breast looks a little flat in profile, but is nicely round from the front. The feathers in her tail are rather short and narrow, but she’s got very good width all the way through her back and including her tail. She’s got a nice round head and eye.
Color – Blue Mottled is a non-standard variety, but is pretty easy to determine because Mottled is standard. We just change the ground color from black to blue. This pullet has fairly good mottling on a pretty blue ground color. She’s lacking mottling in her wing and might have a solid white feather in her foot feathers, which is undesirable. Yellow feet are good, but her face is too pale.
Condition – This bird looks healthy, alert, and well-cared for. A few feathers are missing in the tail, but her wing and foot feathers show good condition. She’s a bit pale in the face. It could be redder. Some sunshine and outside time might help."
Large Fowl Class / Standard Varieties:
Entry #9 - Black Cockerel: 2nd Place / Reserve of Variety / by Lacy Conlan
"Type – This male appears to have a slipped wing from the side. It might have been remedied by the owner for the photo, but it still looks suspicious as is. Otherwise, he is nice; lots of size and width. Tail could fill out a little more, but good leg with lift and fluff. I would give a minor cut on the comb which should have 5 points.
Color – The cockerel is a fine black with green sheen. I can even see green sheen on the flip side of his foot feathers. Foot color is good. He’s got that great red, healthy face color.
Condition – He looks in very good condition; has a nice, strong filled-in spread wing and foot feathers. I wish I wasn’t so unsure about that slipped wing!"
"Type – This male appears to have a slipped wing from the side. It might have been remedied by the owner for the photo, but it still looks suspicious as is. Otherwise, he is nice; lots of size and width. Tail could fill out a little more, but good leg with lift and fluff. I would give a minor cut on the comb which should have 5 points.
Color – The cockerel is a fine black with green sheen. I can even see green sheen on the flip side of his foot feathers. Foot color is good. He’s got that great red, healthy face color.
Condition – He looks in very good condition; has a nice, strong filled-in spread wing and foot feathers. I wish I wasn’t so unsure about that slipped wing!"
Entry #13 - Black Pullet: 1st Place / Best of Variety / BEST LARGE FOWL / by Lacy Conlan
"Type – I liked the silhouette that this pullet displays. She is very nicely balanced and has a great top line with the top of her head even with the top of her tail. She is showing appropriate length of back between her hackle and saddle. Her wing looks a little high (that’s different for a Cochin!), but that could just be the moment of pose. I love the soft, profuse underfluff. Great head, with maybe a minor cut on comb.
Color –Beautiful black with lots of green sheen for a female. Feet look a little pale to me, but that could be because of the light that the photo was taken in.
Condition – Feather quality and condition is superb. She looks sedate, but healthy and alert. I think she’s ready to win in the show room!"
"Type – I liked the silhouette that this pullet displays. She is very nicely balanced and has a great top line with the top of her head even with the top of her tail. She is showing appropriate length of back between her hackle and saddle. Her wing looks a little high (that’s different for a Cochin!), but that could just be the moment of pose. I love the soft, profuse underfluff. Great head, with maybe a minor cut on comb.
Color –Beautiful black with lots of green sheen for a female. Feet look a little pale to me, but that could be because of the light that the photo was taken in.
Condition – Feather quality and condition is superb. She looks sedate, but healthy and alert. I think she’s ready to win in the show room!"
Entry #10 - Buff Cockerel: 1st Place / Reserve of Variety / by Lacy Conlan
"Type – This cockerel is rather shallow breasted and concave at the bottom of it, and he could use more tail. It makes him look like he’s standing back under himself and throws off his overall balance. He has nice width of back and a good Cochin wing. He is short on comb points but good on size. I really like his head and wrinkle-free smooth face, but I notice that he has a bit of a gap between the upper and lower mandible of his beak. His spread wing looks outstanding to me.
Color – I love the uniform color on this male. Nice red face and reddish bay eye. His feet look flesh-colored in this photo. It is difficult to get good yellow feet on a buff, isn’t it?
Condition – This bird looks in great feather condition and health, except his foot feathers look a mite beaten up. He has so many really good points. I wish his balance was better."
"Type – This cockerel is rather shallow breasted and concave at the bottom of it, and he could use more tail. It makes him look like he’s standing back under himself and throws off his overall balance. He has nice width of back and a good Cochin wing. He is short on comb points but good on size. I really like his head and wrinkle-free smooth face, but I notice that he has a bit of a gap between the upper and lower mandible of his beak. His spread wing looks outstanding to me.
Color – I love the uniform color on this male. Nice red face and reddish bay eye. His feet look flesh-colored in this photo. It is difficult to get good yellow feet on a buff, isn’t it?
Condition – This bird looks in great feather condition and health, except his foot feathers look a mite beaten up. He has so many really good points. I wish his balance was better."
Entry #12 - Buff Cockerel: 2nd Place
"Type – This cockerel has many of the same faults as #10, especially with the shallow breast and balance issues. He appears narrower from the top than his rival. I really like that small, tight wing. His underfluff is good, but not as good as the other cockerel. He tends to look just a little better balanced because he’s got more tail which makes him look like his feet are better located under him. He looks a bit pigeon-toed from the front, but that could be the moment of the pose. His comb is a bit big, beefy, has a thumbprint and extends too much over his beak.
Color – This cockerel’s color appears to be not as uniform as the other’s. It almost look like some white in the wing. Some of this could be the lighting. His feet also seem pale.
Condition – He looks healthy and in good condition. The exception are his foot feathers which are dirty and uneven on one side."
"Type – This cockerel has many of the same faults as #10, especially with the shallow breast and balance issues. He appears narrower from the top than his rival. I really like that small, tight wing. His underfluff is good, but not as good as the other cockerel. He tends to look just a little better balanced because he’s got more tail which makes him look like his feet are better located under him. He looks a bit pigeon-toed from the front, but that could be the moment of the pose. His comb is a bit big, beefy, has a thumbprint and extends too much over his beak.
Color – This cockerel’s color appears to be not as uniform as the other’s. It almost look like some white in the wing. Some of this could be the lighting. His feet also seem pale.
Condition – He looks healthy and in good condition. The exception are his foot feathers which are dirty and uneven on one side."
Entry #11 - Buff Pullet: 1st Place / Best of Variety / RESERVE LARGE FOWL / by Lacy Conlan
"Type – I think that if this pullet would have been standing flat-footed for the photo, she would have looked more balanced. As it is, it looks like a strange wing carriage. She needs a rounder breast from the front which could come with more maturity. The width of her back from the top view is very nice. A little more length on her tail feathers might smooth out her cushion. What a pretty head, but unless her feathers are covering another point or two, she’d be cut a bit for the comb.
Color – Her color is a pretty, even shade of warm buff. Once again, the feet don’t look yellow enough, but as a female, I can be more generous with her if she’s laying.
Condition – She looks curious and alert – indicative of good health in a chicken. Clean up those foot feathers and keep them in better condition so they don’t look frayed and I think she’s ready to display. I really like her."
"Type – I think that if this pullet would have been standing flat-footed for the photo, she would have looked more balanced. As it is, it looks like a strange wing carriage. She needs a rounder breast from the front which could come with more maturity. The width of her back from the top view is very nice. A little more length on her tail feathers might smooth out her cushion. What a pretty head, but unless her feathers are covering another point or two, she’d be cut a bit for the comb.
Color – Her color is a pretty, even shade of warm buff. Once again, the feet don’t look yellow enough, but as a female, I can be more generous with her if she’s laying.
Condition – She looks curious and alert – indicative of good health in a chicken. Clean up those foot feathers and keep them in better condition so they don’t look frayed and I think she’s ready to display. I really like her."
Large Fowl Class / Non-Standard Varieties:
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