Apr 17, 2011 By Barbara Starnfor The 3 min read

?It will be all about the bird at the Uniontown Poultry Association’s bi-annual show at the Fayette County Fairgrounds, from 7?a.m. to 4?p.m., today.

Ed Stanish, of the Uniontown Poultry Association, said that the mission of the show is to promote exhibition poultry. “At first, this show featured local people,” he said. “Now, we draw people from across the nation.”

This show will feature more than 100 different classes/ breeds of birds, including American class, which includes Rhode Island Reds, Javas and Chanticleers. This class is known for laying brown eggs. The Asiatic class tends to be highly feathered, and includes Cochin. The Continental class includes White Rock and Old English.

Stanish explained that judges at the show will abide by the “Standard of Perfection” established by the American Poultry Association. “The judges will look at body type. They also will look at feathering and at the chickens’ combs. There will be different expectations for each breed,” Stanish said.

He said that caring for poultry is the same as caring for any kind of livestock. “The birds need fresh water and good feed,” he said. “They need to be housed in an appropriately sized coop. Let them range, or run free, if possible. Chickens are self-sufficient to a great extent.”

Stanish also has some advice when selecting breeds to raise. “Decide what you want. If you want eggs, select a breed such as Golden Comet or Leghorns. If you’re more interested in meat, Buckeyes might be better. Plymouth Rocks and Rhode Island Reds are good dual purpose breeds.”

People who wish to purchase chickens to raise have a number of resources, Stanish said. “There are catalogs which advertise breeders,” he said. “The Internet is also a good resource. It’s also a good idea to go to buy-sell and trade shows.”

The Uniontown Poultry Association was founded circa 1900. It is a nonprofit group of poultry, pigeon, rabbit and alternative livestock fanciers, exhibitors and breeders homebased at the Fayette County Fairgrounds.

Some members breed and show exhibition quality poultry, waterfowl, turkey, pigeons, ginueas and rabbits; other just have some hens in the backyard for eggs, and still others raise alternative livestock such as peafowls and pheasants. This association holds a buy-sell-trade show at the fairgrounds on the third Sunday of every month from March to November, except during fair week in July, association officials said. This association also holds two judging shows a year; one in spring and one in the fall.

“I was born and raised on a farm,” Stanish said. “Raising chickens is a fun and interesting hobby. Going to shows is a good way to meet people.”

Admission is $2 per vehicle. This show will feature opportunities to buy-sell and trade chickens. Also, people will have the chance to view other fowl, such as peasants and geese.