Chickens aren't a traditional pet.
Still, with chicken coops springing up in more and more urban and suburban backyards, some owners take just as much pride in their poultry as in their dog or cat. So much so, they're primping and preening their farm fowl for beauty contests.
That was the case one sweltering afternoon at Wolverine Farm鈥檚 in Fort Collins, Colorado. Part of what owner Todd Simmons says are 鈥渟illy animal contests,鈥� contestants submit their finest hens and roosters for the chance to win the beauty contest. Some of the urban chickens performed tricks -- one pale-feathered rooster named Bruce pretended to sleep on command -- while others donned costumes, like Miss Felicia Fancy Feet鈥檚 emerald green hat.
鈥淵ou hear people talk about chickens just like they鈥檇 talk about any of their other pets,鈥� Simmons says. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e excited about their different breeds and their different personalities. I think people have really been expanding their knowledge of the breeds they know, the Rhode Island Reds, the Leghorns, the Barred Rocks, and getting into some of the more exotic breeds.鈥�
Best in Show went to an Easter Egger named Agnes. For consolation prizes, other chickens pulled in 鈥淟oveliest Legs,鈥� 鈥淏est Dressed,鈥� and 鈥淐oolest Cluck.鈥� The was the inaugural event, but Simmons says the hope is to make it a recurring contest.
