7. Defects and Disqualifications

M. CONCLUSION

Judges are instructed to work continuously for stock improvement in making their awards. They should keep in mind, therefore, the suitability of exhibits for the breeding pen, penalizing those defects and disqualifications that affect reproductive values or detract from what may be regarded as the highest merits of such birds.

Some contend that judging is an art rather than a science. Many scoring systems, the majority very elaborate, have been devised to standardize judges’ responses but, in the end, their evaluation on these individual points is still subjective. Their views are coloured by their own interpretation of the Breed Standard and their experience. Experience together with a good eye for stock and integrity are the requirements of a judge. Experience can be gained over the years by breeding and by discussing the Breed Standard with other fanciers, for example.

The importance of uniformity in judging is leading to a more careful study of standard requirements, a more frequent interchange of views and a better understanding of how the Breed Standard shall be applied in the actual work of making awards. While it is too much to expect that judging fowls will ever become perfectly uniform, it is apparent that tendencies towards greater uniformity are at work and will continue to work towards the desired end.

The breeder in exhibition poultry who wishes to attain recognition as such must, perforce, become a successful exhibitor. But before he can become a successful exhibitor he must be kept conspicuously before his mind- the necessary shape, the desired colour, the exact markings. To know the meaning of these elements it will be necessary to study carefully the standard requirements, to learn how they are interpreted by artists in their ideal illustrations, and to frequent the poultry exhibitions to ascertain the interpretation of the judges. In this way the first step to success, a correct knowledge of what is required, may be taken.

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L: SHANKS, LEGS AND TOES

WHILE JUDGING: COMPARE EACH FINDING WITH THE RELEVANT BREED STANDARD

Feet and nails: In addition to walking, feet and claws are used in fighting (for protection) and in finding food.

Leg: Includes the upper and lower thigh and shank.

Thighs: Feathered parts of the legs between the hock and juncture with the body; that portion between the hock and knee-joint above, being the lower thigh or tibia (drumstick); that portion between the knee-joint and body, the upper thigh or femur.

Shank: Portion of the leg below the hock, exclusive of the foot and toes, the metatarsus. Anatomically the shank has the tarsal bones fused into the head of the metatarsus and, therefore, is usually referred to as the tarso-metatarsus.

Spur: Stiff horny projection from the rear inner side of the shanks, rounded or pointed according to age, prominent in the male fowl, increasing greatly in size with age, sometimes multiple in character.

Scales: Thin horny growths completely covering the shanks and top of the toes of a fowl.

Flat shin: Shank decidedly lacking in roundness of bone.

Hock: Joint between lower thigh and shank, sometimes incorrectly referred to as the knee.

Sickle hocks: When the angle of the hock-joint (in the normal standing position) is less than 165 degrees.

Knee (Knee-joint): Joint between the upper and lower thighs. A term often though erroneously applied to the hock-joint.

Toes: Chickens stand and walk on their toes. Most chickens have three toes projecting forward and one projecting back, sometimes referred to as the claw. A few breeds, however, have five toes on each foot. Some breeds also have feathers on their shanks and toes.

Notes: Feather leg breeds are not to be penalized for a rudimentary outer toe.

GENERAL DISQUALIFICATIONS AND DEFECTS: SHANKS, LEGS AND TOES

TOPIC

DESCRIPTION ACTION

LEGS

Bow leg: Bow legged 1 Disqualify

SHANKS

AND HOCKS

Enlarged and misshapen shank or hock: Disqualify

KNEES

Knock knee:Knock-kneed 1 Disqualify

TOES

Crooked toe:Crooked Toe Deduct: ½ to 2 points for each toe

TOES

Missing part of a toe: Deduct: 1 point for each toe

TOES

Foreign colour of Shanks and Toes than
that described for a breed and variety:
(Slight reddish tinge of pigment in yellow shanked varieties not to disqualify).
Disqualify

TOES

Feathered middle toe in Langshans and Faverolles: Deduct: ½ to 1½ points for each toe

TOES

Bare middle toe in Brahmas, Silkies, Booted bantams and d’Uccle’s : Deduct: 2 points for each toe

TOES

More or less than four toes in four-toe Breeds:
Disqualify

TOES

More or less than five toes in five-toe Breeds: Disqualify

TOE NAILS

Missing toe nail: Missing Toe Nail Deduct: 1 point for each toe nail

TOE NAILS

White toe nail in black legged varieties: Deduct: 1 point for each toe nail

SPURS

Horny, well defined spur on females (Except OEG females):Spur on females Deduct: ½ points for each spur

SPURS

Extra spur in All Breeds of Chickens, except Sumatras:Extra spur Deduct: ½ points for each extra spur

SPURS

Absence of spurs in Old English, (large and bantam), Dutch Bantams and Sumatra Cocks: Disqualify

DARK SPOTS

Dark spots on shanks feet or toes in all yellow legged breeds, except Anconas:(No cut for slight tinge of reddish pigment)  Deduct: ½ to 2 points 

 

DARK SPOTS

Dark spots on shanks, feet or toes in all white or pinkish white legged breeds, except Houdans: Deduct: ½ to 2 points

FOOT

Deformed foot and foot joints: Disqualify

FOOT

Duck foot in land fowl:
Duck foot 1
Disqualify

FOOT

Web foot in land fowl:Web foot
Disqualify

FEATHERING

ON LEGS

Presence of, or unmistakable evidence of the removal of any down, stub, feather or part of feather from shank below the hock joint, or foot, or toe on clean Legged Chickens, Turkeys, Ducks and Geese:  

 

Disqualify

FEATHERING

ON LEGS

Shanks not feathered down outer sides on Feather-legged Breeds: Disqualify

 

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K. TAIL

WHILE JUDGING: COMPARE EACH FINDING WITH THE RELEVANT BREED STANDARD

TAIL AND TAIL FEATHERS: The tail is used for balance while walking and, in flying, as a rudder for up – and – down and side – to – side motion.

As poultry is judged and identified, there are standards for the angle of the back, wing or tail, with respect to the horizontal or back of the chicken.

The angle of the tail helps one to identify the breed of chicken. The range of tail angles for males is from slightly below horizontal to 75 degrees and from slightly below horizontal to 70 degrees for females.

Tail Carriage should be as specified in the Breed Standard and if it departs too far should be penalized.

Generally any tail at 90 degrees or over (Squirrel-tailed) is a serious fault. Japanese bantams are the main exception. But a very low tail will also be serious when the most usual tail angle is specified.

GENERAL DISQUALIFICATIONS AND DEFECTS: TAIL

TOPIC

DESCRIPTION ACTION

COLOUR

Foreign colour: Disqualify
DEVELOPMENT Tail less than ¼ developed: Deduct: 1 point

DEVELOPMENT

 

Tail less than ½ developed: Deduct: 2 points

DEVELOPMENT

 

Tail less than ¾ developed: Deduct: 3 points

ABSENT FEATHERS

Absence of main tail feathers Deduct: 1 point for each feather

ABSENT FEATHERS

Complete absence of all main tail feathers (except in rumples breeds): Disqualify

ABSENT FEATHERS

Absence of sickle feathers Deduct: 1½ points for each feather

TWISTED FEATHERS

 

Any twisted tail feathers, except in Sebastapol Geese and Frizzle Chickens: Disqualify

TWISTED FEATHERS

 

Any twisted sickle feathers, except in Frizzles: Disqualify

REVERSED TAIL FEATHERS

 

One or more reversed main tail feathers: Disqualify

PINCHED FEATHERS

Pinched or “Gamy” in All Breeds of Chickens, except Modern Games, Cornish and Malays: Deduct: ½ to 2 points

SPLIT TAIL

Split tail in cockerels or pullets: Deduct: 2 to 2½ points

SPLIT TAIL

Split tail in cock and hen: Split Tail 2 Disqualify

SQUIRREL TAIL

Any tail, any part of which projects in front of a perpendicular line over the back or a tail that bends sharply over the back and touches, or almost touches, the head, like that of a squirrel except in Japanese Bantams:SQUIRREL TAIL Disqualify 

WRY TAIL

Any tail carried wry, to the right or left side of the continuation of the backbone and not straight with the body of the fowl:Wry Tail Disqualify

WHITE FLUFF

Excessive white fluff at base of tail in all part-coloured varieties:
Deduct: 1 point

RUMPLESS

Rump-less except where a breed characteristic: Disqualify

 

 

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J. WINGS

WHILE JUDGING: COMPARE EACH FINDING WITH THE RELEVANT BREED STANDARD

Wings: Examine the wing by opening the wing whilst holding the fowl. Use the other hand to naturally spread the wing by pressing it near the body of the fowl. The wing will naturally open to indicate a split wing or other defects.

Slipped Wing: Angel wing also known as slipped wing, crooked wing, and drooped wing is a syndrome that affects aquatic birds, primarily geese and ducks, in which the last joint of the wing is twisted with the wing feathers pointing out laterally, instead of lying against the body. Males develop it more than females.

GENERAL DISQUALIFICATIONS AND DEFECTS: WINGS

 

TOPIC

DESCRIPTION

ACTION

FOREIGN COLOUR

Foreign colour feather: Disqualify

DEVELOPMENT

 

Wings less than ¼ developed: Deduct: 1 point

DEVELOPMENT

 

Wings less than ½ developed: Deduct: 2 points

DEVELOPMENT

 

Wings less than ¾ developed: Deduct: 3 points

MISSING FEATHER

Missing feather or part of feather:  Deduct: 1 to 2 points for each feather

BROKEN FEATHER

Broken feather but not removed: Deduct: ½ to 1 points for each feather

TWISTED FEATHERS

Primaries or secondaries, twisted feather, except in Sebastapol Geese and Frizzle Chickens: Disqualify 

SPLIT WING

A wing exhibiting a decided gap between the secondaries and primaries; the latter not in line with the former and with the wing closed in a natural position the primaries are evident, except in Ko-Shamo: SPLIT WING Disqualify 

SLIPPED WING

 

A wing in which the primary flight feathers hang below the secondaries when the wing is closed: (This condition is often allied with split wing, in which primaries and secondaries show a very distinct segregation in many breeds of bantams)Slipped Wing 1 Disqualify 

REVERSED MAIN WING FEATHERS

 

One or more reversed main wing feathers: Disqualify

SPLIT QUILL

 

One or more primary or secondary feathers with a split quill, except Silkies: Disqualify

CLIPPED FEATHERS

Primary or secondary feathers clipped in all Breeds of Chickens and Turkeys: Disqualify

CLIPPED FEATHERS

Primary or secondary feathers clipped in all Breeds of Waterfowl, except Muscovy, East Indian and Call Ducks: Note– Pinioned wings if smoothly healed are acceptable.   Disqualify

ANGEL WINGS

Angel wings (the wing tip being inverted at the outer joint), one or both in all Breeds of Ducks and Geese: SLIPPED WING

 Disqualify 

 

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I. BACK

WHILE JUDGING: COMPARE EACH FINDING WITH THE RELEVANT BREED STANDARD

Back: Where the back is described as “broad its entire length,” the carcass should carry the desired width not only from the shoulders to the hips, but also as near as possible to the base of tail. A specimen who narrows sharply from the hips is nearly as faulty as if it were narrow at the hips.

Heart-Girth: Heart-girth is measured by determinating the width of the back and the depth of the body immediately behind the juncture of the wings and body. It is important that this portion of the body be adequate for the proper functioning of the heart for full development of the lungs and when of sufficient size is conducive to health, vigour, longevity and production.

GENERAL DISQUALIFICATIONS AND DEFECTS: BACK

TOPIC

DESCRIPTION ACTION

CUSHION

 

Definite cushion in any breed where a cushion is not a feature of normal type: Deduct: 1 to 2 points 

CROOKED BACK

Any signs of a crooked back: Disqualify

ROACHED BACK

A convex-shaped back, a disqualification in all breeds except Malay breeds: (Not to be confused with required convex Malay back or Rouen Duck back, or the heavy hip muscles in Cornish males.)

Roach back 2

Disqualify

 

DEFORMED BACK Any deformality: Disqualify

 

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H. BREAST

WHILE JUDGING: COMPARE EACH FINDING WITH THE RELEVANT BREED STANDARD

Abdominal Capacity: A large abdomen or large internal capacity is necessary for adequate intestinal development, which is essential for rapid digestion assimilation of food necessary to heavy egg production. When the standard description reads, “deep and full,” the judge should determine this dimension by placing his thumb on the hip bone and spanning with his hand and fingers the sides of the body to the keel bone in front and in back of legs.

Reproductive Activity: Judges should recognize the effect full reproductive activity can have on the shape or body outline of the female.

GENERAL DISQUALIFICATIONS AND DEFECTS: BREAST

TOPIC

DESCRIPTION

ACTION

CROOKED KEEL

 

Crooked keel or breast-bone in Turkeys, Cornish and Aseels:Crooked Keel Disqualify

CROOKED KEEL

 

Crooked keel or breast-bone in all breeds except Turkeys Breeds, Cornish Game and Aseels: Deduct: 2 to 5 points

KNOB

Knob on front of keel or breast-bone of Turkeys:
Deduct: 1 to 2 points

PIGEON BREAST

Abnormal protrusion of the breastbone: Disqualify

DEFORMED BREASTBONE

Seriously deformed breastbone. Disqualify

MALFORMATION

Malformation of breastbone that interferes with the internal organs: Disqualify

DROOPING ABDOMEN

Down behind and curved end of breastbone which leads to drooping abdomen:DROOPING ABDOMEN Disqualify

DENTED BREASTBONE

Dented breastbone from perching: Disqualify

ENLARGED BREASTBONE

Enlargement on breastbone of turkey: Disqualify

PELVIC BONES

Broken or malformed pelvic bones: Disqualify

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G. HEAD AND NECK

WHILE JUDGING: COMPARE EACH FINDING WITH THE RELEVANT BREED STANDARD

Head: The head is of great importance as it indicates the state of health and vitality.

In all breeds where high egg production is characteristic, particular emphasis should be placed on the character of the head and eye.

The head should be strong, moderately long, and well filled in forward of the eyes to avoid any appearance of crow headedness, with the skull inclined to be somewhat flat on top rather than round.

The face should be clean cut, smooth and free from wrinkles, the skin fine grain and soft in texture, the comb of good substance and size and bright red in colour.

The over-refined, thin type of comb is not only liable to buckle or show thumb marks, but also indicates lack of constitutional vigour.

The eye should be large, bright and prominent, the iris rich in colour, the pupil distinctly and perfectly formed. The condition of the eye frequently indicates some form of systemic disease, including leucosis.

While the same general descriptive terms may be used in describing head parts of Cornish, Brahma or other meat type breeds, it naturally follows that such terms shall be considered relatively rather than literally, since a more massive type of head is more appropriate on, and typical of, such breeds.

GENERAL DISQUALIFICATIONS AND DEFECTS: HEAD AND NECK

TOPIC

DESCRIPTION ACTION

BEAK

Deformed beak in all Chickens breeds and Turkey breeds:
Disqualify

BILL

Black in bean or bill of females of all varieties of White Ducks: Deduct: ½ to 3 points

BILL

Black in bean or bill of White Duck Drakes: Disqualify

BILL

Scoop or deformed bill in all breeds of Ducks and Geese: Disqualify

FACE

Positive Enamel White in face of COCK or HEN in all Breeds where colour is specified, except
White Faced Black Spanish:
Deduct: 2 points

FACE

Positive Enamel White in face of COCKEREL or PULLET in all Breeds where colour is specified, except White Faced Black Spanish: Disqualify

FACE

Black in face where red is specified: Deduct: 2 points

FACE

Red markings directly above the eyes in White Faced Black Spanish: Deduct: 2 points

EAR-LOBES

Positive enamel white, (except as otherwise noted) in all Breeds where a red ear-lobe is specified: Disqualify

ALL COMBS

 

Coarse texture, oversize or undersize: Coarse and Wringcled Deduct: ½ to 1 points

ALL COMBS

 

Frozen: Deduct: ½ to 1 points

ALL COMBS

 

Comb foreign to breed or variety in all breeds of chickens: Disqualify

ALL COMBS

 

Dubbed comb (except in the case of Modern Games, Old English Game, Indian Game and Jubilee Game males): Disqualify

ROSE COMBS

Rough Deduct: ½ to 2 point

ROSE COMBS

Irregular Deduct: ½ to 2 points

ROSE COMBS

Hollow centre Deduct: ½ to 2 points

ROSE COMBS

Blade shaped spike Deduct: 2 points

ROSE COMBS

Improper angle of spike Deduct: 1 point

ROSE COMBS

Over-large, sufficient to obstruct sight: Disqualify

ROSE COMBS

Lopped sufficient to obstruct sight: Disqualify

ROSE COMBS

Absence of spike: Disqualify

ROSE COMBS

More than one spike: Disqualify

ROSE COMBS

Inverted or telescoped spike: Disqualify

SINGLE COMBS

Points on comb, more or less than required Deduct: ½ point for each comb point

SINGLE COMBS

Twisted Twisted Comb Front Deduct: ½ to 1 points

SINGLE COMBS

Thumb Mark Thumb mark 1 Deduct: 1 to 2 pointsThump Mark

SINGLE COMBS

Lopped below the horizontal plane of the point where the bend occurs in all males and in females except where that lopped comb is an identified breed characteristic:Note: No single combed female in or near production with slightly lopped comb should be discriminated against. Disqualify

SINGLE COMBS

Split Comb: Disqualify

SINGLE COMBS

Side Sprig:Side Sprig Disqualify

PEA COMB

 

Lopped below horizontal plane of top of skull: Disqualify

PEA COMB

 

Telescoped: Disqualify

V-SHAPED COMB

Sprigs on V-Shaped come:
Side Sprig Split Comb
Disqualify

CUSHION COMB

 

A spike or spikes: Disqualify

CREST

Divided or split or twisted feathers: Deduct: 2 points

CREST

Absence of crest in Crested Breeds: Disqualify

CREST

Severely lopped crest: (2/3 or more of feathers falling on one side of the centre line.) Disqualify

CREST

Presence of crest in Non-crested Breeds: Disqualify

BEARD AND MUFFS

 

Absence of beard and muffs in Bearded Varieties:
Disqualify

BEARD AND MUFFS

 

Presence of beard in Non-bearded Varieties: Disqualify

EYES

One eye destroyed leaving only socket: Deduct: 2 points

EYES

Eye showing permanent injury, but retaining form: Deduct: ½ to 1 points

EYES

Eyes not matching in colour: Deduct: 2 points

EYES

Blind in one eye: Deduct: 2 points

EYES

Colour of iris foreign to variety in all breeds: Deduct: ½ to 2 points per eye

EYES

Red iris in Campines: Deduct: 1 point per eye

EYES

Blind in both eyes: Disqualify

EYES

Irregular pupil indicating leucosis: Disqualify

WATTLES

Coarse and wrinkled Deduct: ½ to 1 points

NECK

Dewlap in all Breeds where it is not a normal breed characteristic Deduct: ½ to 1 points

CROP

Pendulous crop in Turkeys: Disqualify

 

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E. FAKING

FAKING: Faking is a deliberate attempt to deceive the judge or a prospective purchaser. Evidence of faking shall be reason to disqualify that bird. All Judges officiating at any show shall cooperate in the enforcement of this provision.

Evidence of any of the following practices shall constitute faking:

 

 

DESCRIPTION

 

ACTION

Broken or crimped quills in sickle or main tailor saddle feathers, sufficient to indicate an attempt to change the general shape of tail:

 

 

Disqualify

 

Shaft and web giving evidence of part of feather having been cut off: Disqualify

 

Web of feather giving evidence of having been singed: Disqualify

 

Scar tissue giving evidence of cutting or trimming any part of comb, wattles or ear-lobes of any fowl, except cocks and cockerels in American Game Bantams and Modern and Old English Games, large and bantam:  

 

 

Disqualify

 

Colour of plumage or condition of skin showing evidence of the use of any colouring matter in softening, deepening, intensifying or otherwise changing the natural colour:  

 

Disqualify

 

Brittleness of feather or inflamed condition of skin in white varieties showing evidence of bleaching:  

Disqualify

 

Beak, shanks or toes showing evidence of the use of any colouring matter to change the colour, or the use of any device to remove foreign colour:  

 

Disqualify

 

Face or ear-lobes showing evidence of the use of any colouring matter to change the colour, or the use of any device to remove white or red therefrom:  

 

Disqualify

 

In breeds where vulture hocks are a disqualification, hocks giving evidence of being plucked of long stiff feathers which form a vulture hock is faking:  

 

Disqualify

 

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D. WEIGHT

WHILE JUDGING: COMPARE EACH FINDING WITH THE RELEVANT BREED STANDARD

WEIGHT IS A BREED CHARACTERISTIC.

WEIGHING: When size and weight cannot be determined by comparison, it is advisable to require the weighing of the birds. Disqualifying weights for adult specimens shall apply at all times, but due allowance should be made for decreased weight in adult birds in moult during the late summer and fall season. The weight clauses shall not be interpreted to mean that a small and over-fat specimen fulfills the Breed Standard requirements.

SIZE: Weights must be in proportion to size, at the same time preserving the ideal type and type for the breed.

WEIGHT: Any bird (except Beltsville Small white Turkeys) that deviates more than 20% either up or down from the weight listed for its breed, sex and age should be disqualified.

Example – in a bird with a standard weight of 1kg, a range of 800g to 1.2kg is within the scope of “the standard weight”. This rule applies to all large fowl, bantams, ducks, geese and turkeys (except Beltsville Small whites).

Where a pair of “from – to” figures are given for the mass: Birds with a mass outside the parameters given should be disqualified.

Where a maximum or minimum figure is given for the mass: Birds with a mass above the maximum or below the minimum figures given should be disqualified.

 

GENERAL DISQUALIFICATIONS AND DEFECTS: WEIGHT

 

TOPIC

 

DESCRIPTION

 

ACTION

A

 

All breeds of Large Chickens with Standard weights of Cock 3kg, Cockerel 2.5kg, Hen and Pullet 2kg, or weights below these:

 

 

 

UNDERWEIGHT:

Males: Deduct two (2) points for first 500g and two (2) points for each 250g thereafter.

Females: Deduct one (I) point for each 250g of underweight.

OVERWEIGHT:

No cut for first 500g overweight and 2 points for each 500g thereafter.

B

All other breeds of Large Chickens:

 

 

 

 

UNDERWEIGHT:

Deduct 2 points each 500g.

OVERWEIGHT:

No cut for first 500g overweight and 2 points for each 500g thereafter.

 

C

Bantam Chickens: UNDERWEIGHT:

Deduct 1 point for each 100g underweight.

OVERWEIGHT:

Deduct 1 point for each 50g overweight.

 

D

All Turkeys, except Beltsville Small White:

 

 

UNDERWEIGHT:

No cut for first 1kg underweight and 2 points for each 500g thereafter.
OVERWEIGHT:

No cut for first 1kg overweight and 2 points for each 500g thereafter.

E

Turkeys: Beltsville Small White:

 

UNDERWEIGHT:

No cuts.
OVERWEIGHT:

Deduct 2 points for each 500g overweight.

 

F

All waterfowl, except Call and East Indian ducks:

 

UNDERWEIGHT:

Deduct 2 points each 500g underweight.

OVERWEIGHT:

No cut for first 500g overweight and 2 points for each 500g thereafter.

 

G

Bantam Ducks included Call and East Indian Ducks: UNDERWEIGHT:

Deduct 1 point for each 100g underweight.

OVERWEIGHT:

No cut for first 250g overweight and 2 points for each 100g thereafter.

 

H

Any bird (except Beltsville Small White Turkeys)
that deviates more than 20% either up or down from the weight listed for its breed, sex and age:

Example: In a bird with a standard weight of 3kg, a range of 2.4kg to 3.6kg is within the scope of “the standard weight”. This rule applies to all large fowl, bantams, ducks, geese, Guinea Fowl and turkeys (except Beltsville Small Whites).

 

 

 

 

Disqualify

 

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F. PLUMAGE

WHILE JUDGING: COMPARE EACH FINDING WITH THE RELEVANT BREED STANDARD

IMPORTANCE OF FEATHER QUALITY:

Feathers act as a protective covering for fowl, protecting it from cold, rain, sun and injury, also aiding in short flight. It is important that the feather be relatively broad, the web of good firm texture, with a strong shaft, the barbs, barbules and barbicels closely and tightly knitted together, with the exception of a very few ornamental breeds such as Silkies, Frizzles and Sebastapol Geese. Early and full feathering is associated with a good relatively broad feather of firm structure, and judges, flock inspectors and breeders, are especially instructed to give full consideration to this important quality. Narrow thin feathers inclined to silkiness often found in the back wings and tail coverts, are particularly to be avoided and no specimen with this characteristic should be used for breeding.

Proper surface gives identity, beauty and uniformity. Under-colour is also a characteristic of each colour pattern. It should be considered but not granted undue emphasis. In very tight feathered breeds (ex. Malays, Games, etc.) under fluff may show through at junction of back and tail, shoulders, wingbows, etc.

The following general feather descriptions for various classes apply to females and to such sections of males which conform generally to the feather type of the female with the exception of Fizzles and ornamental breeds such as Silkies and Sebastopol geese:

(a) Cochin: Feathers should be broad, long, soft and fitting loosely on the body. Fluff relatively long and abundant,

(b) Brahmas: Feathers should be more compact and without the fluffiness of Cochins.

(c) All American, all English except Cornish, all French and langshans: Feathers should be moderately broad and long, fitting fairly close to the body.

(d) All Mediterranean, Hamburgs, and Polish: Feathers moderately broad and long, fitting rather close to body.

(e) All Games, Game Bantams, Malays and Malay Bantams and Orientals: Feathers short, rather narrow, hard and firm, with as little fluff as possible, fitting very close to body.

(f) All Cornish: Feathers should be close fitting and hard, as in the Modern Game, but wider.

COLOUR:

Black or Brown: In the quill of the primary or secondary of white varieties should not be construed to include stains on the quill of a feather caused by the coagulation of blood on the underside.

Brassiness: On the surface plumage of white fowls is a serious defect and shall be discounted according to Cuts for Defects.

Grey Specks: A few very small, greyish specks in white fowls shall not prevent a specimen that is otherwise superior in type and colour from winning over one which is less typical in shape but sound in colour; provided the grey specks do not appear prominently in the primary, secondary or main tail feathers.

Under-colour: Proper surface gives identity, beauty and uniformity. Under-colour is also a characteristic of each colour pattern. It should be considered but not granted undue emphasis. In very tight feathered breeds (ex. Malays, Aseels, Shamos, Games, etc.) under-fluff may show through at junction of back and tail, shoulders, wingbows, etc.

Judges shall give due consideration to the condition of the plumage in making awards but not to the detriment of breed type and colour.

 

GENERAL DISQUALIFICATIONS AND DEFECTS: PLUMAGE

 

 

TOPIC DESCRIPTION  

ACTION

LUSTRE OR SHEEN

All Breeds where lustre or sheen is required:  

 

 

Deduct: ½ to 1 point for the luck in each section 

HEN FEATHERING

 

Hen feathering in males in all Breeds except Sebrights and Campines:  Disqualify

 

ORPINGTON CHICKENS

 

Fluff not within 5cm or less of ground: 

 

Deduct: 1 to 2 points

 

BARRED ROCK

 

Black feathers: 

 

Deduct: ¼ to 2 points in each section 

BARRED ROCK

 

Brassiness: Deduct: 1 to 2 points in each section 

BARRED ROCK

 

Foreign cast on surface:  Deduct: ½ to 2 points in each section 

BARRED ROCK

 

Irregular barring: 

 

Deduct: ¼ to 2 points in each section 

BARRED ROCK

 

Metallic cast:
 
Deduct: ½ to 2 points in each section 

BLACK OR PARTI-BLACK BREEDS AND VARIETIES

 

Purple barring:  

 

Deduct: ½ to 2 points in each section 

BLACK OR PARTI-BLACK BREEDS AND VARIETIES

 

Bronze :(Except where desired in Bronze Turkeys)


Deduct: ½ to 2 points in each section 

BROWN LEGHORNS

 

Grey or white, in any except disqualifying sections:
Deduct: ½ in each section to the limit of the allocated points

 

BUFF (SOLID) VARIETIES

 

Mealiness: 

 

Deduct: ½ to 2 points in each section 

BUFF (SOLID) VARIETIES

 

Light shafting:  Deduct: ½ to 1½ points in each section 

 

BUFF (SOLID) VARIETIES

 

Black or white:
 
Deduct: ½ in each section to the limit of the allocated points 

BUFF (SOLID) VARIETIES

 

Unevenness of colour:
 
Deduct: ½ to 1½ in each section to the limit of the allocated points 

BUFF (SOLID) VARIETIES

 

Slate in under-colour:  Deduct: ½ to 2 points in each section 

BUFF BRAHMA AND OTHER BUFF PARTI-COLOURED BREEDS OR VARIETIES

 

White in any except disqualifying sections: 

 

Deduct: ½ point in each section to the limit of the allocated points 

CATALANAS

 

White, except on surface where it is disqualification: 

 

Deduct: ½ point in each section to the limit of the allocated points 

LACED VARIETIES

 

Irregular lacing:   Deduct: ¼ to 1 ½ points in each section 

LACED VARIETIES

 

Incomplete lacing:   Deduct: ¼ to 1 ½ points in each section 

LACED VARIETIES

 

Too heavy lacing:   Deduct: ¼ to 1 ½ points in each section 

LACED VARIETIES

 

Indistinct lacing:   Deduct: ¼ to 1 ½ points in each section 

LACED VARIETIES

 

Frosting:   Deduct: ½ to 1 ½ points in each section 

LACED VARIETIES

 

Mossy centres:   Deduct: ½ to 2½ points in each section 

PARTRIDGE VARIETIES

 

Grey or white in any except disqualifying section: 

 

Deduct: ½point in each section to the limit of the allocated points 

PENCILED VARIETIES

 

Irregular or deficient pencilling:  

 

Deduct: ¼ to 2 points in each section 

RED BREEDS OR VARIETIES

 

Bronze:  

 

Deduct: ½ to 2 points in each section 

RED BREEDS OR VARIETIES

Brassiness:   Deduct: ½ to 2 points in each section 

RED BREEDS OR VARIETIES

Mealiness:   Deduct: ½ to 2 points in each section 

RED BREEDS OR VARIETIES

Light shafting:   Deduct: ½ to 1½ points in each section 

RED BREEDS OR VARIETIES

Slate in under-colour: Deduct: ¼ to 1½ points in each section 

SPANGLED VARIETIES

 

Frosting: 

 

Deduct: ¼ to 1½ points in each section 

WHITE BREEDS AND VARIETIES

 

Brassiness: 

 

Deduct: 1 to 2 points in each section

WHITE BREEDS AND VARIETIES

Creaminess in shaft or web:(except where creamy white is specified)

 

Deduct: ¼ to 1 point in each section 

WHITE BREEDS AND VARIETIES

Grey specks:   Deduct: ¼ to 2 points in each section

WHITE BREEDS AND VARIETIES

Black in quills of primaries and secondaries:  Disqualify 

WHITE BREEDS AND VARIETIES

Foreign colour, except slight grey ticking:   Disqualify 

BARRED, BLACK AND MOTTLED VARIETIES

Red or yellow in Plumage of all Barred, Black and Mottled Varieties:  

 

Disqualify

 

COLUMBIAN VARIETIES AND LIGHT BRAHMAS

 

One or more solid black or brown feathers on surface of back; dark spots or mossiness in surface of back or saddle appearing in approximately 15 per cent or more of feathers of this section, except narrow black stripes extending not over half the length of feather in saddle and near tail of male, or dark markings in cape of either sex; red feathers in plumage:    

 

Disqualify

 

 

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C. POULTRY DISEASES

WHILE JUDGING: COMPARE EACH FINDING WITH THE RELEVANT BREED STANDARD

DISQUALIFICATIONS: If any of the disqualifying conditions noted below are found, the judge shall disqualify that specimen and state the reason on the judging sheet. In any case where evidence is doubtful the bird shall be presumed to be acceptable.

GENERAL DISQUALIFICATIONS AND DEFECTS: DESEASES

TOPIC

DESCRIPTION

ACTION

CONTAGIOUS OR COMMUNICABLE DISEASES Definite indications of contagious or communicable diseases: Disqualify
TUMOUR Tumour affecting health or market value of a fowl: Disqualify
PARASITES Any lice, mites or parasites on a bird: Disqualify
INFECTIOUS BRONCHITIS Any gasping, coughing, breath noisily, discharge from the nose and eyes: Disqualify
CROP DISEASES Sour crop:Impacted crop: DisqualifyDisqualify

 

 

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B: BREED CHARACTERISTICS

JUDGING: COMPARE EACH FINDING WITH THE RELEVANT BREED STANDARD

Breed Standard: The purpose of the Breed Standard is to establish ideals for shape, size and colour which are practical and useful, as well as symmetrical and attractive. All breeds, whether bred chiefly for economic purposes or for beauty of colour and form, must be healthy and vigorous and of good productive qualities to insure full propagation, as well as popular acceptance of the breed. Judges and breeders therefore, in all cases, are instructed to give full consideration to those fundamental characteristics which are necessary to maintain vigour and production at the highest level consistent with true breed type.

It is imperative that appearance be considered of greatest importance and specimens greatly deficient in breed type should be disqualified as lacking in breed character.

Approximately two-thirds of the total value of the “Scale of Points” is allotted to shape, except in Turkeys where the shape value becomes sixty per cent.

Disqualifications: If any of the disqualifying conditions noted below are found, the judge shall disqualify that specimen and state the reason on the judging sheet. In any case where evidence is doubtful the bird shall be presumed to be acceptable.

Dimensional Terms: When the words “broad,” “medium,” “large,” “deep,” etc., are used in Standard descriptions, these terms shall be understood to mean “relatively or comparatively” broad, medium, large or deep, that is, in proportion to the size and character of the breed described, as well as to the two sexes within the breed. Thus, “medium” as applied to the size of the comb of any Orpington male and female does not mean that both would be the same size, but that they would be proportionate to the body size of the male and female respectively. Likewise, the term, “medium” applied to the size of the comb in the shape description of both Orpington and Rock breeds would not mean that they would be of the same size in both breeds, but that the comb in each case would be proportionate to the size of the breed.

Faded Pigmentation: A fading or bleaching of colour from that described in the Standard for the beak and shanks or the pigment in yellow skin breeds is a defect when the result of poor health or condition, but shall not be considered such if the natural result of heavy egg production, age, or seasonal changes.

DISQUALIFICATIONS AND DEFECTS: BREED CHARACTERISTICS

 

 

TOPIC

 

DESCRIPTION

 

ACTION

BREED CHARACTERISTICS

 

Specimen lacking in breed characteristics:

 

 

 

Disqualify

 

VIGOUR

Any specimen showing lack of constitutional vigour:

(The vigor and health of a specimen is of prime importance and a necessity in the propagation and preservation of all breeds. Judges shall not only consider the external appearance, but the actual type of the carcass and the fleshing thereof as well)

 

Disqualify

 

VIGOUR

Minor deviation:

 

Deduct: 1 to 3 points

 

STANCE

Faulty stance:

(Stance: The attitude or position of a standing bird)

Disqualify

 

 

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A: INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL DISQUALIFICATIONS AND DEFECTS

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 WHILE JUDGING: COMPARE EACH FINDING WITH THE RELEVANT BREED STANDARD IN ALL CATEGORIES

DISQUALIFICATIONS: When showing birds in a poultry show, a disqualification refers to a defect or deformity serious enough to prevent the bird from being judged. This would include any signs of disease or evidence of faking. General defects that result in disqualification include wry tail, split wing, and twisted feather. There are breed-specific disqualifications as well, such as the wrong comb for the breed being shown, a white feather on a black-feathered breed, etc. These defects can be passed from parent to offspring, making these birds poor choices for a breeding program.

There are many things that will disqualify a bird and the Breed Standards and chapter of the handbook will help the breeder and the judge to know these problems, they are well defined in the breed standard for each breed and variety. One problem that might cause a disqualification is faking, such as someone trying to darken a tip of a white feather with black ink or perhaps there are toes missing on a five toed breed, etc. Most deformities are hereditary; others are the result of faulty nutrition, disease or injury.

Most Judges will check each bird for ‘disqualifications’ first. Many of the breeds have specific other disqualifications. Any bird on which a disqualification is found will be returned to its pen, with the Judge making a note in the Judges List as to why he has disqualified it.

If any of the disqualifying conditions noted below are found, the judge shall disqualify that specimen and state the reason on the judging sheet. In any case where evidence is doubtful the bird shall be presumed to be acceptable.

CUTTING FOR DEFECTS: In any case it shall be understood that the cuts are for general defects only, i.e., those applying to all breeds or a number of breeds. Individual breed or variety defects, other than those specified, shall be considered in comparable fashion to other defects, i.e., according to the severity of the defect.

Judges in their evaluation of competing specimens shall pay careful attention to the point cuts herein set forth for various sections.

The point cuts for defects in any section determine the importance to be attached to such defects in relation to the total value of that section as set forth in the “Scale of Points”. The specific cut for any defect shall be assessed according to the severity of the defect, always within the maximum and minimum limits set forth and in any case the total not to be exceeding the point value of the section.

FAKING: Faking is a deliberate attempt to deceive the judge or a prospective purchaser. Evidence of faking shall be reason to disqualify that bird. All Judges officiating at any show shall cooperate in the enforcement of this provision.

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