It was fitting that the Poultry Show at the Routt County Fair was held first thing Wednesday morning — the roosters were more than vocal about their imminent competition as the sun slowly rose over the Small Animal Barn. 

The show opened with the experienced, senior 4-H kids, followed by intermediate and junior levels. Ten seniors lined up against the table around 8 a.m., boasting their various breeds and colors of chickens. 

While the competition is based on the quality of the hens and roosters, the knowledge and presentational skills of the contestant is also a major element. The judge inspects each bird and quizzes each competitor individually. This year’s poultry judge was John Baker.

The 4-H kids are expected to know the body parts and their functions of the bird, including distinctions between male and female. They are tested on each type of feathers (primary, secondary and tertiary) and unique defect features such as a “squirrel tail,” which occurs when a chicken’s tail sits above a 90-degree angle, resulting in the feathers falling over to resemble a tail of a squirrel. 

A squirrel tail is just one of many disqualifying features the children must know — others include missing toenails, wrong coloration for the breed and broken feathers. 

Following this, the contestants are then asked other general questions about their animal. Feeding practices, how many eggs a hen should lay and how often and breed origins are just a few of the questions the kids might receive. 

The most important aspects of preparing a bird for show are training and cleaning. Most of the senior contestants revealed that they had prepared their chicken for show by removing the mites and washing their bird in Dawn dish soap or baby shampoo.

After this, most contestants used baby oil on the beak and feet. 

The judge, however, recommended against Dawn dish soap at the end of the competition, as it can actually strip the chicken of its natural oils.

Baker also favored a bird that was handled and trained well. While some chickens flailed and squawked in his hands, others were much more docile and used to human handling. 

Contestants who handed Baker their bird head first and grabbed the bird under its stomach when he handed it back were also impressive to the judge. The junior winner in particular was recognized for her handling skills. She won against six other juniors. 

Storytelling is ultimately what won Makayla Iacovetto Grand Champion at the senior level. The judge appreciated her presentation of her 4-H project, highlighting her over 100-chicken farm and the generosity of her sister to lend her a bird for the show. Lexi Iacovetto, Makayla’s sister, won Reserve Champion — or second place.