Instructions for Judges

FOR JUDGING IN GENERAL

Merit

The merit of specimens shall be determined by a careful examination of all sections in the Standard for that breed. The bird should be judged with the whole bird in mind and a holistic evaluation made. Judges should look at the strengths in the exhibit while also being mindful of any defects. Type is of utmost importance and the scale of points given indicates to the judge of the areas of priority in each breed. Judges must familiarize themselves with the Standard for each breed if they are to award prizes intelligently. In Australia a system of comparative judging is use where the exhibits are ranked in order of merit. No specific allocation of points is made but they are borne in mind in the mental evaluation of the order of merit. The requirements of the Standard of Perfection must be applied whether judged by score card or comparison.

In awarding prizes, judges must consider carefully each and every section of the specimen according to the Standard and not allow colour alone, or any one or two sections, to determine their decisions. The vital importance of typical shape is to be borne constantly in mind, though at the same time due consideration is to be given to color in all sections, including undercolor. All specimens in competition must be handled and examined by the judge, except those that show decided inferiority as seen in show pens.

In judging it is imperative that type be considered of greatest importance. Specimens lacking in this essential breed characteristic shall not be awarded first honors, even though there be no competition.

Colour Defects

Type is of primary importance in a fowl and it is type that determines the breed. Minor colour defects should not eliminated a fowl from consideration for awards (with the exception of defects mentioned particularly as serious defects.) For example, a few very small, greyish specks in white fowls shall not debar a specimen that is otherwise superior in colour from winning over one less typical in shape and sound in colour; provided, however, that the gray specks do not appear prominently in the primary, secondary, or main-tail feathers.

Brassiness: In white varieties, brassiness on surface of plumage is a serious defect and is to be discounted accordingly. Brown or black in quills of primaries or secondaries of white varieties should not be confused with the colour often found on the underside of the feather, due to coagulation of blood, which causes stains visible on the upper side of the feather.

Type

Explanation of Terms in Shape Description: When such words as "broad," "medium," "deep," etc., are used in the Standard descriptions of the breeds, these descriptive terms shall be interpreted as meaning broad, medium, or deep in proportion to the size and character of the breed described. In other words, "medium" as applied to the size of the Orpington male and female combs does not mean that the comb on the male should be of the same size as the comb on the female but that the male's comb should be medium in size in proportion to the characteristic size of the male sex; again, "medium" as applied to the combs of both the Plymouth Rock and Orpington males does not mean that the Standard Orpington should carry a Plymouth Rock comb, but should carry a medium sized comb in proportion to the size and bulk of the Orpington breed.

Faking

As applied to exhibition poultry, "Faking" refers to the employment of artificial means to create the appearance of merit which the specimen does not possess naturally. Subjecting a specimen to one or more of the following processes constitutes "Faking" and shall debar the specimen so treated from competition:

• The obvious bending or breaking down of sickles or maintail feathers;

• The crimping or bending back of saddle feathers;

• The artificial colouring of lobes, faces, beaks, shanks, toes or plumage;

• The removal of white from lobes or faces required to be red;

• Removing red in faces or lobes required to be white;

• Evidence of any alteration to cover up a disqualification;

• Evidence of removing a feather or feather-like growth as confirmed by a hole or indication of such in shanks or toes;

• The singeing or dyeing of feathers;

• The use of artificial colouring on any part or parts of the specimen;

• Cutting, trimming, or mutilating any section except the dubbing of Games and Game Bantams;

• Subjecting any white specimen to any process or treatment which leaves the skin in an irritated or inflamed condition, the feathers brittle, or which destroys the natural life and appearance of the feathers; or subjecting any coloured or parti-colored specimen to any process that has resulted evidently in deepening, softening, intensifying or altering the shade or tone of the color of plumage.

Feather Quality

Feather formation is important in all varieties as an indication of health and vigor as adding to the beauty and attractiveness of the specimen and especially is this true in the formation of the portions defined as "web." In this section the barbs should be closely and completely hooked together, giving the appearance of a smooth, fine surface. This applies to both males and females of all breeds except Silkies.

The following feather description applies to females and such sections of the male as conform generally to the feather type of the female.

• In Cochins, the feathers should be broad, long, soft, carried loosely on body. Fluff, long and abundant. In Brahmas the plumage is more compact than in Cochins. Extreme fluffiness should be avoided.

• In Langshans, the feathers should be carried fairly close to the body. In Mediterranean, Hamburg, Polish and Continental varieties,

the feathers should be moderate in length and breadth, fitting rather closely to body.

• In Games and Game Bantams, Malay and Malay Bantams, feathers short, rather narrow, hard and firm, little fluff, held very close to body.

• In Indian Game, the feathers should be close fitting as in the Game varieties but wider.

Wherever size of feather is described in the Standard text of a variety, judges are to consider and value this character of the feather in relation to feather pattern. Wherever size of feather is referred to in the shape description of a breed, it shall be considered a shape characteristic in all varieties of that breed.

Variation of Pigmentation

Fading from the color described as Standard in beak, skin or leg color shall not be considered a defect when such fading is the natural result of heavy egg production or age.

Scaly Legs

A fowl whose legs and toes are so deformed by what is called "Scaly Legs" as to hide, or appear to have destroyed the color, shall not be awarded a first prize.

Defects and Disqualifications

If, in applying the Standard, judges find defects in an entry, they may apply a deduction of points against that bird or disqualify the specimen at their discretion; though it must be understood that under all disqualifying clauses, the specimen shall have the benefit of the doubt.

General disqualifications (see Disqualifications are, for the most part, defects which are transmitted from the parents to the progeny. Although these defects, with the exception of disqualifications for weight requirements and color of skin, may not interfere with the utilitarian purpose of the fowl, they are, nevertheless, objectionable from the viewpoint of appearance. Furthermore, continued selection against these defects in the breeding stock soon results in the birds raised each year being comparatively free of disqualifications.

General Inferiority

Specimens unworthy of an award or lacking in breed characteristics.

• Faking in any manner shall disqualify the specimen.

• Deformities of Shape and Plumage

• Deformed beaks.

• Crooked or otherwise deformed backs.

• A wing showing clipped flights or secondaries, or both, except clipped flights in Canada or Egyptian Geese, or Muscovy, Call or East India Ducks.

• A split wing.

• A slipped wing.

• Twisted feather or feathers in primaries or secondaries of wing and sickles or main-tail feathers.

• Split tails in old birds of any variety.

• Entire absence of main-tail feathers.

• Wry tails.

• A squirrel tail, in any breed except Japanese Bantams.

• Crooked breast or keel bone in turkeys.

• A scooped or deformed bill in drakes and ducks.

• Hen feathered males except in Sebright Bantams and Campines.

• Duck foot in all varieties.

• In all breeds having weight clauses, except Leghorns, Anconas, Bantams, and Turkeys, any specimen falling more than two pounds below standard weight.

• In Leghorns and Anconas males falling more than one and one-half pounds, and females more than one pound, under Standard weight.

• In all varieties of Bantams, specimens more than four ounces above Standard weight.

• In all varieties of Turkeys, specimens falling more than six pounds below Standard weight.

• Lopped single or pea-comb, except when Standard.

• Lopped rose-comb falling to one side sufficiently to obstruct the sight;

• Rose-combs sufficiently large to obstruct sight. Note: A comb which merely turns over a trifle from the natural upright position is not to disqualify. To disqualify, a single-comb must fall below the horizontal plane where the comb begins to lop; a pea-comb must fall below the horizontal plane on level with top of head.

• Combs foreign to the breed.

• Split comb.

• Side sprig or sprigs on all single comb varieties.

• Absence of spike in all rose-comb varieties.

• A spike or spikes on a cushion comb.

• Positive enamel white in the face of Mediterranean cockerels and pullets except White-Faced Black Spanish.

• Positive enamel white in the ear-lobe of males or females of all American, Asiatic and English varieties, except Dorkings, Red caps and Lamonas. (In varieties in which positive enamel white in ear-lobes disqualifies, it must be understood that judges shall not disqualify for mere paleness of lobe due to the general condition of the specimen. In varieties in which positive enamel white is a disqualification, judges shall disqualify for unmistakable evidence of an attempt to remove the defect.)

• Black in the bill or bean of the drake of any white variety of Ducks.

• Absence of crest, beard, or muff in any variety described as Crested, Bearded or Muffed.

• Any appearance of crest, beard, or muff in any variety for which it is not required.

• Decided bow-legs or knock-knees.

• In all breeds required to have unfeathered shanks, any feather or feathers, stub or stubs, or feather-like growth on shanks, feet or toes; or unmistakable indications of feather, feathers, stub, stubs, or down having been plucked from same.

• Entire absence of spurs on cocks.

• Any down, stub or stubs, feather or feathers, or feather-like growth on shank, disconnected from feathers on thigh and below the hock joint.

• Plucked hocks.

• Web feet in any breed of chickens.

• In four-toed breeds, more or less than four toes on either foot.

• In five-toed breeds, more or less than five toes on either foot.

• Shank, shanks, foot, feet, or toes of color foreign to the breed.

• Red or yellow in the plumage of any black variety.

• Black in quills of primaries or secondaries of white varieties.

• Foreign colour in any part of the plumage of white varieties, except slight gray ticking.

INSTRUCTIONS TO JUDGES FOR ECONOMIC QUALITIES OF STANDARD-BRED FOWLS

Standard-bred poultry is practical poultry, because most of the different breeds produce eggs, or meat, or both, to greater economic advantage than non- Standard stock. The purpose of the Standard of Perfection is to establish those ideal types that are not alone the most beautiful and symmetrical but also the most useful and productive.

It should be understood that every Standard breed and variety produces both meat and eggs. Some breeds excel in egg production and some in the production of meat. The most rapid and economic producers of meat are often economic producers of eggs, while on the other hand, the meat of the highest egg producers is ultimately consumed as food.

The breeder cannot afford to sacrifice the economic qualities of his breed. It is important that he should maintain the size, type and color that are characteristic of the breed and variety, and it is vitally important that he should maintain that soundness of constitution which is necessary if vigor, size, type, colour, and production are to be developed to their highest perfection. Over emphasis of undercolour of plumage should be avoided. The desired surface color is essential to the beauty of the specimen but undercolor is primarily a breeder's consideration; it should not be given undue consideration in judging.

The head is of great importance as it is indicative of the temperament and vigor, or lack of vigor, of the specimen. In all breeds where high egg production is especially desirable, particular emphasis should be laid on the character of the head and eye. The head should be fairly strong, inclined to be flat on top, rather than round, fairly long but well enough filled in forward of the eyes to avoid any appearance of crow-headedness. The face should be clean-cut, free from wrinkles, skin fine in texture, comb of fair substance. The over-refined, thin type of comb is not only liable to buckle or show thumb marks but is indicative of lack of constitutional vigor. The eye should be bright, full and very prominent, with a keen, alert expression, indicative of vigour. This must not be interpreted to mean that breed type is to be disregarded. In judging classes such as Brahmas and Wyandottes the foregoing description must be considered relatively, rather than literally, as these breed types demand a more massive type of head than do many of the others.

Judges are instructed to recognize those characteristics of body-shape that are typical of a useful and productive fowl and give full consideration to those fundamental qualities of body type that are necessary to maintain vigor, usefulness and productiveness at the highest point consistent with true breed type.

Judges shall consider not only the external appearance, which is somewhat dependent upon plumage development, but shall also handle each specimen in order to ascertain the true conformation of body as determined by the actual shape of the carcass and to ascertain its condition as to health and fleshing. Irreparable damage may be clone by failing to do this and awarding prizes to birds that may appear to the eye good in color and excellent in type, but that are in reality poorly fleshed and emaciated to the point of being a danger to the race.

In breeds in which the back shape is described as "broad" the judge shall handle the bird to determine if the carcass actually carries the desired breadth. Where the back is described as "broad its entire length," the carcass should actually carry the desired width not only at the shoulders and hips, but from the hips to the stern, and a specimen whose carcass narrows decidedly from hips to stern is just as faulty as though it was narrow across the saddle or cushion. In other words, this Standard description of back, "broad its entire length," applies to the carcass (or body shape) and to the appearance of specimen in plumage (or typical shape).

A large heart girth is necessary for adequate lung capacity and for the proper functioning of the heart, upon both of which depend the maintenance of vigor and productivity. Heart girth is measured by determining the width of the back and the depth of the body immediately behind the wings.

A large abdomen or body cavity is necessary for large intestinal development, which is essential for the rapid digestion and assimilation of that quantity of food and nutrients required for heavy egg production. Judges are, therefore, instructed that they shall determine the depth and fullness of this section by handling when the Standard description of body reads "deep and full"; and as a convenient form of measurement the judge may place his thumb on the hip bone and span the sides of the body to the keel bone back of legs with his hand and fingers. A shallow body as determined by handling shall be adjudged deficient in shape characteristics when the Standard says that the body shall be "deep and full."

The period of moulting and degree of pigmentation are valuable aids in culling operations and are largely dependent upon the kind and amount of feed supplied and the seasonal conditions, but are not of fundamental breed character.

SOURCES

• The American standard of perfection, illustrated. A complete description of recognized varieties of fowls, as revised by [the Association at its 62d-67th annual meetings, 1937-42.] Public Domain accessed from: https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/009169004