2024 Show:

Quail, Largefowl, Waterfowl, Bantam, & Showmanship

What is it?

The Pips 'n Chicks virtual show is a completely free online poultry show, open to everyone in the United States and internationally. It is designed for beginners and experienced breeders alike to show in a competitive arena, meet other top breeders, and learn more about breeding towards a standard together. We run both youth-led shows--which are open to youth, judged by youth, and run by youth-- and open shows, which are judged by APA, ABA, and ACBA-sanctioned judges. All entries are free, the show is entirely run from sponsorships from small farms, businesses, and individuals. If you are interested in sponsoring an award, please see here.

The entries consist of photos of chickens, ducks, and quail, and are judged live on YouTube. While it is not the same as an in-person show, entries have specific requirements to make it as close to the live show as possible. Exhibitors and spectators can see their placings in real time, and have the opportunity to ask the judges questions and further clarifications. It provides a great opportunity to see and hear what judges are looking for in birds as well as get in-depth feedback. Judging videos from 2023 are free to watch here, and comments are available from 2022 here. We also ran a test showmanship last year and had great success. The top showmanship runs can be watched here.

Overall, the goal of the virtual show is to promote poultry showmanship, education, and excellence in a way that is accessible to everyone. Thank you to everyone who enters, shares, promotes, sponsors, or helps with the show in any way. This show would not be possible without you.

Previous Virtual Shows

Videos from 2024 Show

2024 Placings and Results

Entries

Entries for each chicken show will consist of a single picture of the bird standing profile. The bird should be as close to its natural stance as possible. Comb, eyes, beak, wattles, and feet must be visible.

Entries for the Quail shows are slightly different. A single collage must be entered for each bird, consisting of three or more pictures: a least one standing profile picture that showcases the stance and legs, a frontal picture that showcases breast patterning and face, and a wingspread picture that showcases the back and wing plumage.

More information on the entry requirements can be found here. Please review these before submitting birds.

Where are the Exhibitors From? 2024 Live Map

2024 Show Dates:

June 25th: Free entries close, late entries accepted for a fee

July 1st: No more entries are accepted, late or otherwise

July 2nd: Youth Quail judging at 10:30 CST, followed by Open Quail judging at 2:00 CST

July 5th: Fun show judging begins

July 8th: Open Bantam Judging at 1:00 CST

July 11th: Open Waterfowl judging at 10:30 CST

July 15th: Fun Show voting closes

July 15th: Youth Waterfowl judging at 5:00 PM CST

July 20th: Showmanship day! Starting at 8:00 and ending at 4:00 CST.

July 25th: Youth Bantam Judging at 10:30 CST

August: Awards go out

2024 Judges:

Youth Bantam: Hannah Thomas

Youth Quail: Mason Fields

Youth Waterfowl: Austin Noah

Youth Largefowl: Ben McMeeken

Fun Show: Everyone Allowed to Vote

Open Bantam: Phil Bartz

Open Largefowl: TBD

Open Waterfowl: Bryan Shelton

Open Quail: Michael Rose

Showmanship: Jada Spiegel

Clerks for the various shows:

-Izzy Dietzler

-Cheyanne Bilge

-Jonathan Morrison

Click on the photos below for more information and an introduction to each judge!

Youth Quail: Mason Fields

Hello everyone my name is Mason Fields. I am super excited to be this year's youth quail judge! I started my adventure in quail around December of 2022. I now own Big Spring Quail, and I am head of youth engagement for the ACBA. I have been fortunate enough to work with and visit some of America's largest quail breeders, and have been taught well on what good traits to look for in quail. I am so grateful for all these opportunities and can’t wait to help others learn and grow!

Youth Largefowl: Ben McMeeken

My name is Ben McMeeken and I am currently a college student studying Agricultural Education at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF). My passion for exhibition poultry started when I was in middle school and started showing at my local county fair in Wisconsin. Since that first show, I have had the experience and opportunity to raise/show a variety of breeds such as Bantam Brahmas, Leghorns, Bantam Cochins, Chanteclers, D'uccles, New Hampshire Reds, and many other breeds. With college, I now only raise Call Ducks and Mandarin Ducks. I still, however, enjoy attending and connecting with many other poultry enthusiasts across the country at shows, and love to share my knowledge and skills with other youth. I have had the opportunity to continue to use my poultry knowledge after high school through my time competing on the UWRF Poultry Judging Team, leading the FFA Poultry Production Contest, judging poultry showmanship at local shows, and other opportunities. I am super excited to help at this year's show and can't wait to see the amazing birds everyone raises.

Youth Bantam: Hannah Thomas

My name is Hannah Thomas and I am a Jr. In High school. I haven’t been showing for long, but in the time I have, I dedicated myself to it. I enjoy showing, 4-H, FFA, public speaking, and agriscience experiments, I spend much of my time studying the APA and perfecting my Dominique bantams!

Youth Waterfowl: Austin Noah

My name is Austin Noah, I’m from Raymore, Mo and I’m 19 years old. I have been showing ducks for the last 7 years. The breeds of ducks that I have are Gray Mallards, East Indies, Cayugas, Khaki Campbells and I just got some Rouens. I have had a passion for waterfowl for quite a long time and I'm so excited that I get to be the Junior Waterfowl Judge.

Showmanship: Jada Spiegel

Hi, I'm Jada. I am a freshman at UW River Falls. I breed and exhibit Belgian Bearded d'Anvers bantams. Someday, I hope to become an American Poultry Association licensed judge. For now, I judge fairs around Wisconsin.

Open Quail: Michael Rose

After leaving a corporate career in favor of a life outside the city, Michael and his wife Christy founded Southwest Gamebirds. Like many modern day farmers, they acquired their first animals to feed their family and pets, but Japanese quail quickly stood out as a favorite. Michael is passionate about taking a science-based approach to quail breeding and husbandry with a desire to define and standardize the ideal bird.

Open Bantam: Phil Bartz

Mr. Bartz is a longstanding judge with the APA and ABA, as well as the Jr. Superintendent at the Illinois State Fair. He enjoys evaluating poultry and making sure exhibitors get a fair and unbiased judging. He also loves helping exhibitors understand by comments and positive reinforcement from his years of experience.

Sponsors and Awards

Premium Awards:

Best in Class (Rosette, letter) sponsorship: $25.

Best/Reserve in Show (Rosette, letter, plaque) sponsorship: $50.

Add-On Awards:

Best of Breed (Rosette): $10

Cash Awards (check goes to exhibitor): Any amount

These are awards that are only given out if they are sponsored. Not every class/category receives cash prizes, and not every breed receives a Best of Breed ribbon, but any class, category, or breed could have one.

Donations:

Donations go towards the "odds and ends" cost of the show. This includes judging costs, shipping costs, website/video hosting fees, etc. This is just as important as the individual awards. Any donation amount counts as a sponsorship, and all of it helps.

All of the money from the sponsorships goes directly to the show and awards. Anyone can sponsor an award, regardless of whether or not they enter or participate in the show. Almost all of our sponsors last year were individuals and/or small businesses, and our average sponsorship was about $15. Thank you to all of the following sponsors and their awards!

Sponsor An Award

ALL CHAMPIONS -- Show Champion Feed Sponsored by Champion's Blend	Champion Open Quail Sponsored by Double R Farms	Reserve Champion Open Quail Sponsored by Haven's Hatchery	Best of Fun Show Sponsored by Savage Daughter Farm	Champion Youth Waterfowl Sponsored by Glacier Ridge Farms
Champion Youth Quail Sponsored by Thieving Otter Farm	Champion Largefowl Sponsored by Pondview Poultry, in memory of Vivian.	Champion Youth Bantam Sponsored by Glacier Ridge Farms	Reserve of Show Youth Bantam Sponsored by 3F Farms	Reserve Champion Youth Quail Sponsored by Thieving Otter Farm
Open Bantam: Best AOCCL Sponsored by Buttercup Meadows	Reserve Champion Open Largefowl Sponsored by Pondview Poultry, in memory of Vivian.	Youth Bantam: Best Game Sponsored by Kelly and Susanna “Poss” Nation of Nation Bantams	YLF: Best AOSB Sponsored by Chicken Feed News	Best Lightweight (YWF) Sponsored by Misfits Homestead MI
Youth Bantam: Best AOCCL Sponsored by Buttercup Meadows	Best SCCL (OBA) Sponsored by Misfits Homestead MI	Open Largefowl: Best AOSB Sponsored by the Gamefowl Conservation Network	Youth Bantam: Best Featherleg Sponsored by C&B Coop	Best Showmanship: Ages 4-8 Sponsored by Stella's Farm
Open Quail: Best Rosetta Sponsored by Haven's Hatchery	Open Quail Best Wildtype Sponsored by Fig Tree Farms	Best SCCL (YBA) Sponsored by Misfits Homestead MI	Open Quail: Best Manchurian Sponsored by Quirky Quail Homestead	Open Quail: Best Italian Sponsored by Quibodeaux’s Quail Co
Open Quail: Best Tibetan Sponsored by Homestead Filkins	Open Quail: Any Other Mutations Sponsored by Southern Biophilliac	Best American, Youth Largefowl Sponsored by Hidden Pines Homestead	Youth Quail: Best Tibetan Sponsored by Quirky Quail Homestead	Best RCCL -- YB Sponsored by BZ Quail Farm
Youth Quail: Best Rosetta Sponsored by Thieving Otter Farm	Youth Quail: Best Wildtype Sponsored by the Quail Underground	Youth Quail: Best Manchurian Sponsored by Thieving Otter Farm	Youth Quail: Best Italian Sponsored by the Quail Underground	Youth Quail: Any Other Mutation Sponsored by Double R Farms
Add-on: BOB Serama (Open Bantam) Sponsored by SS Seramas	Add-On: BOB YB Polish Sponsored by Buttercup Meadows	Best Heavy Weight -- YWF Sponsored by 3F Farms	Add-on: BOB Rhode Island, Open Largefowl Sponsored by Double R Farms	Add-on: BOB Polish, Youth Largefowl Sponsored by Manolis Welding Services
Add-on: BOB Cochin, Open Bantam Sponsored by Ravens Ridge Micro Farm	Add-on: Best Falb Fee, Open Quail Sponsored by the Peterson Farm	Add-on: Pansy Fee, Open Quail Sponsored by Phoenix Heating and Cooling	Add-On: BOB OB Polish Sponsored by Buttercup Meadows	Best Bantam (Youth Waterfowl) Sponsored by Glacier Ridge Farms
Best Lightweight (OWF) Sponsored by Misfits Homestead MI	Add-on: Best Dotted White, Youth Quail Sponsored by Peterson Farm	Add-on: BOB Watermaal, OBA Sponsored by Indigo Chicks	Add-on: BOB Orpington, Youth Largefowl Sponsored by Manolis Welding Services	Add-on: Best Dotted White Open Quail Sponsored by Phoenix Heating and Cooling
Add-on: Best Pearl Fee, Open Quail Sponsored by S&P Quality Quail	Best Heavyweight - OWF Sponsored by 3F Farms	Champion Open Continental Sponsored by MSB Poultry	Best Wyandotte (YBA) Sponsored by Glacier Ridge Farms	Add-on: BOB Nankin (SCCL) OBA Sponsored by Oh Cluck
Add-On: OB Ko Shamo Sponsored by Buttercup Meadows	Best Continental (YLF) Sponsored by Glacier Ridge Farms	Add-on: BOB YB Ameraucana Sponsored by Indigo Chicks	Add-on: BOB Nankin (RCCL) OBA Sponsored by Oh Cluck	Add-on: BOB Brahma, Youth Largefowl Sponsored by Manolis Welding Services
Add-On: $10 for Champion Open Quail Sponsored by Quibodeaux’s Quail Co	Add-on: BOV Open Quail (TBD) Sponsored by Quirky Quail Homestead	Add-on: BOB YB Ko Shamo Sponsored by Buttercup Meadows	Add-on: Best Black, Open Quail Sponsored by Homestead Filkins	Add-on: BOB D'Anver OBA Sponsored by Indigo Chicks
General Sponsorship Sponsored by Undique.com	Add-on: BOV Youth Quail (TBD) Sponsored by Quirky Quail Homestead	Add-on: BOB YLF Barred Rock Sponsored by Reed Creek Homestead	Additional Awards Sponsored by It's Udder Chaos Diary Goats	Best Wyandotte (YLF) Sponsored by Glacier Ridge Farms
Queen B Farm Sponsored by Queen B Farms	BOB: Leghorn (Open Largefowl) Sponsored by Leghorn Lane	Youth Quail award Sponsored by Bailey's Bugs & Birds	Youth Quail Award Well Quailified Homestead	Open Quail Award Sponsored by Well Quailified Homestead
Best of Breed Ohiki Sponsored by the American Ohiki Association	Best Youth Ohiki Sponsored by American Ohiki Association