Newport, Cocke County (The Newport Plain Talk) - On Saturday, Nov. 10, the "Something To Crow About" Poultry Show will host its third annual fall show for purebred exhibition poultry at the Cocke Co. A&I Fairgrounds in Newport.

In previous years, they have averaged between 500-700 breeds/varieties of poultry at each of their shows, with exhibitors coming from North and South Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. The show is sanctioned by the American Poultry Association and the American Bantam Association.

For those not familiar with "chicken" shows it can be an exciting experience. Most of us are familiar with the backyard varieties of poultry and think all chickens are the same, like Grandpa's rooster that used to chase us around his yard when we were children. But have you ever seen a Silkie, or an exhibition Rhode Island Red?

The American Poultry Association and American Bantam Association recognize more than 200 breeds and varieties of poultry, and poultry includes ducks, geese, and turkeys as well as chickens. Poultry shows are very similar to dog, cat and horse shows, each breed has certain standards that must be met.

Exhibition poultry is big, almost every weekend there's a poultry show to attend somewhere in the United States. The super-sized Crossroads of America Show held in Indianapolis, Ind., last November hosted nearly 12,000 birds. That's a lot of crowing!

The birds coming into Newport for the show will be primped, pampered, and top form for their appearance. Conditioning a bird for show is time-consuming and starts when the birds are very young and continues throughout their growing process.

It is possible to start out with 50 chicks and end up with only 2 or 3 to show as adults. Last minute preparations usually start with a bath about two or three days prior to a show, that gives the feathers time to naturally oil. Toenail and beak trimming is done at that time. Yes, the "spa" treatment for your birds.

The APS and ABA have a wonderful youth program for beginners in the "Fancy". The "Something To Crow About" Poultry Show feature both a Junior Division and an Open Division for our exhibitors to participate in. For information about the "Fancy" we suggest that you visit the websites for these organizations as well as that of "The Poultry Press" ... yes, poultry has it's own newspaper.

The public is invited to come and see the show, judging will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning and finish in the afternoon. Anyone wishing to exhibit, you must pre-enter their birds. This can be done by calling Angie at 865-436-3607 or 865-414-8935.

A $4 per bird entry fee is charged, and a per exhibitor charge of $1. All birds must have a negative pullorum test prior to entering the barn. Testing will be provided for those not having certificate.