Poultry Show 101
Chickens are divided into classes and varieties. Feather Leg, RCCL and SCCL are bantam classes.
chickens. In the show, large fowl and bantams will be shown separately and in different areas of the showroom.
Classes The next thing you may notice is that birds are grouped by breed and variety, with a specific group of breeds making up a class. For large fowl, the classes are named after the area of origin:
• American Class
• Asiatic Class
• English Class
• Mediterranean Class
• Continental Class
• All Other Standard Breed
For bantams, classes are named after physical characteristics:
• Game Bantams
• Modern Game
• Single Comb-Clean Legged( S. C. C. L.)
• Rose Comb Clean Legged( R. C. C. L.)
• All Other Comb Clean Legged( A. O. C. C. L.)
• Feather Legged( FL)
For waterfowl, classes are named after physical characteristics as well:
Ducks
• Bantam
• Heavy
• Medium
• Light
Geese
• Heavy
• Medium
• Light
Turkey and guinea are named after their variety( color): Turkey
• Beltsville small white
• Black
• Bourbon red
• Bronze
• Narragansett
• Royal Palm
• Slate
• White Holland
Guinea
• Lavender
• Pearl
• White
Breed
Within each class will be several breeds. Each breed will have specific characteristics that differentiate it from all other breeds. For example, Brahma and Silkie are both in the Feather-Legged class; Rhode Island Red and Leghorn are both in the Single-Comb Clean- Legged( SCCL) class. Breeds will differ in shape, feather characteristics, comb and other attributes. The Standard of Perfection will provide information on breeds, their characteristics and their history.
Variety( Color) If you look at a breed you will find that there are often many color patterns represented. For example, both large fowl and bantam Plymouth Rocks are recognized in Barred, White, Buff, Silver Penciled, Partridge, Columbian and Blue varieties. Each of these varieties has distinctive traits that set it apart from other varieties.
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