The 2019 Northeastern Poultry Congress in Springfield, Massachusetts
I have some new feathered friends here at my Bedford, New York farm.
If you follow my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48, you may know that I attended a great event last weekend in Springfield, Massachusetts - the 2019 Northeastern Poultry Congress, a poultry show held every year at the Eastern States Exposition Center. The event featured more than 2600-birds, including large fowl, waterfowl, turkeys, pigeons, Guineas, and of course, a variety of wonderful breed chickens. It was a fun way to learn about these fascinating birds and to build relationships with knowledgeable, passionate breeders. I also had the opportunity to purchase a few new birds to add to my flock - three black Langshans, two Toulouse geese and several Spangled Hamburgs.
Enjoy these photos.
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- All the show birds were exhibited and judged in the Mallory Complex of the Expo Center. Visitors are able to see the various breeds up close in their crates. Each cage is tagged with the bird’s breed, color or variety, and gender. http://www.poultrycongress.com/
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- The birds are judged against others of the same color, sex and age. They are also judged based on variety and breed. In the end, chickens compete against large fowl and water fowl.
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- There were more than 1400-chicken breeds – some with gorgeous markings and feathers.
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- This cockerel is considered a large fowl. It is called a Black Breasted Red Malay. It has long legs, a muscular body, tight, short feathers and upward slanting eyes.
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- Here is another large fowl – a Red Shoulder Yokohama. The Yokohama is a German breed, with unusual coloring and very long tail-feathers. The breed was developed in the 1880s from ornamental birds brought to Europe from Japan.
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- This pretty hen is a Light Brahma. Brahmas are gentle giants with feathered legs and feet and lots of fluffy feathering. The hens are great setters and mothers. This fancy breed of chicken has a quiet and tame nature, and makes a nice addition to any flock.
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- Here is a Black Langshan cockerel. I loved this breed so much, I left the show with a trio. The Langshan is a rare, endangered breed from China. It is a graceful, nicely-proportioned bird with feathered legs. These birds are also quite active for large fowl!
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- Prior to poultry shows, these birds are bathed and groomed – every feather is in place. This is an American White Plymouth Rock. White Plymouth Rocks or “White Rocks”, are friendly, great layers, and able to withstand cold weather quite well.
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- The birds are ranked in each of their classes and then compete for super champion.
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- I love the markings on this large fowl cockerel.
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- I also stopped to look at the fancy show pigeons. As many of you know, I also keep rare and unusual pigeons at my farm. These two are Silver Grizzle Backs, known for the curls on the wing shield feathers.
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- My friend, Chris Spitzmiller, loves Golden Buff Orpingtons – in fact, he shows and breeds them himself. Chris traded two Barred Rock hens for this gorgeous Orpington rooster.
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- The Malaysian Serama bantam is the smallest breed of chicken in the world, weighing less than a pound when full grown and no taller than 10-inches. These Seramas are a result of crossing Japanese bantams with Malaysian bantams. Judy Morris, who also attended the event, purchased two of these beautiful birds.
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- We also came across this charming duo – a young girl with her pet goose. The goose was so very tame and friendly.
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- Here I am with Chris back at my farm with two of my three new Langshans. We are both very passionate about our chickens and their care.
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- They were very curious and wanted to explore their new surroundings right away.
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- Here are my two new Toulouse geese. The Toulouse is a French breed of large domestic goose, originally from the area of Toulouse in south-western France. These two are about six months old.
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- A couple days later, the new geese were mingling right in with my Sebastopols – I know they will all get along so well.
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- They’re also getting to know my two Pomeranian geese. Geese are very good to have around the coop. Thanks to their honks, geese make excellent guardians for my chickens. They can scare off many predators that otherwise would bother the hens, and they are known to be great at spotting aerial predators, such as hawks.
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- Here are my Pomeranian geese at work – keeping a watchful eye over the entire flock and making lots of noise whenever unfamiliar visitors come near. It has been very cold here in the Northeast – less than 10-degrees Fahrenheit earlier this week. If you have chickens that are exposed to such cold weather, please make sure they are protected from the frigid temperatures, wind and ice.
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- In my chicken yard, we put down a good layer of hay, so the birds’ feet do not stick to the icy ground below. Here is one of my Sebastopol geese bathing in the water dish. When he gets out, his wet feathers and feet could stick to the ice. The hay helps to prevent this from happening.
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- Here he is preening himself after his bath in the cold water – he is quite happy. All the coops are also equipped with safe heating lamps to keep them all warm and comfortable.
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- The black Langshan is also fitting right in with the other chickens – look how large he is!
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- I have always loved raising chickens and other fowl – not only for their beauty, but also for their great companionship. If you want to learn more about raising chickens, geese, pigeons and other birds, I encourage you to attend a poultry show – you’ll love it.
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