I was looking for a different breed of chicken to show in the county fair. I wanted something that was cool looking and that not too many people had. I saw a picture and description of the Polish breed and decided that was the breed for me.

Chase holding his bird. He reminds us, "After the bath you need to keep your chicken warm until she dries."

My name is Chase Tabor, I am part of the Route 66 4-H club in Riverton Kansas. I am in my third year in the 4-H poultry project. I enjoy raising poultry and showing my chickens. I ordered different colors of Polish including Golden Laced, Buff Laced, Silver Laced and White Crested Black. My favorite color is the Buff Laced. The Polish breed is very gentle and the crest on top of their head makes them stand out in a crowd.

I have taken my Polish hens to school and talked to my class about chickens. I've taken them to club meetings and demonstrated how to show a chicken. I've also attended poultry shows and have done showmanship and judging in other counties in Kansas.

When I am getting my chickens ready for a show, I give them a bath about a week before. This gives them enough time before the show to get the natural oils back into the feathers. I use a washtub with warm water and just a little bit of baby shampoo to wash them and another tub of water for rinsing. If they have white in their feathering I also use just a drop of liquid bluing to bring out the white in their feathers. Not too much though or they will turn blue!

Part of showing chickens also includes telling people about chickens. Here Chase is at an Earth Day session with his girls and talks about hatching and breeds of chickens.

Mineral oil, petroleum jelly or the Vet Rx on their feet and wattles (because Polish don't have a comb) will get them ready for a show. I like to keep them in a separate cage for about a week before the show to keep them clean and to make sure that the other chickens don't pick on them.

They really enjoy a bath. I lightly use a cloth to clean the top feathers on their head and gently pet them using the cloth. Always rub them the way the feathers lay, not against the feathers or they will fall out. Then I wrap them in a towel and hold them while they dry. That's the part my chickens like best.

I enjoy holding my chickens and getting them used to me. It really helps when you are showing a chicken when your bird sits quietly in your hands and doesn't get upset when showing their wings and feet and talking to the judge too.

In showmanship you need to know about the breed you are showing, the parts of the chicken, and be able to tell how you take care of it. I get a little nervous at first when I'm doing showmanship, but the judge begins asking questions and is always nice and patient and then I relax and talk to the judge about my chickens.

Chase also attends poultry judgings to learn more about the project.

I really like talking to people about the poultry project. People are amazed that chickens can have so much personality. I have a Golden Campine that I hatched last fall that comes to sit on my lap and rolls onto her side telling me to rub her.

I like trying different breeds of chickens because each breed has different traits and personalities just like people. Some are naturally more gentle than others, but most can be really sweet if you spend enough time with them.

If you like chickens you should join a 4-H or poultry club in your area. The poultry project includes ducks, geese, pigeons, guineas and turkeys, as well as chickens. It's a great way to make friends and learn more about poultry and their care.

10-year-old Chase is in 4-H in Cherokee County, Kansas and really enjoys the poultry project. Last year he won grand champion showmanship with his Buff Laced Polish hen. This article was written by him in his own words.