Columbus, Indiana – On May 4, 2013 at the APA sanctioned “Feathered
Friends Poultry Show” history was made when a Buckeye cock was awarded “BEST of
SHOW”! Owner’s Sydney & Joe Shumaker
of Shumaker Poultry Farm, near Wilmington, Ohio walked away with Champion
American & Champion Large Fowl in addition to taking home the BIG
trophy. According to Jeff Lay, spokeman
for the American Buckeye Club, “this is of historical significance for the
Buckeye breed because there are no records indicating a Buckeye winning BEST of
SHOW during modern times.” Mr. Lay added, “There have been many Buckeyes win
Reserve Champion, Champion American and even Champion Large Fowl in the past
decade but none have been awarded the TOP HONOR until the Shumaker Buckeye this
year. Historical records and
documentation dating back to 1905 are unclear as well so it is possible the
Shumaker Buckeye cock is the FIRST Buckeye to achieve this distinction.”
Joe Shumaker, father of Sydney Shumaker who has shown this Buckeye cock for 2
years now, reports this Buckeye cock has 6 APA sanctioned Champion American, 4
Reserve Champion Large Fowl, and 1 Best of Show Junior 4H victories to his
credit. Equally important, is the fact
that most of these wins took place at shows with 1200-1800 fowl entered and the
American classes consisting of more than 100 birds total. “Being a Show Champion is something we felt
this Buckeye cock was capable of becoming and with any luck he will have a few
more years of competitive exhibition left in him”, said Mr. Shumaker.
Above is a picture of the Show Champion Buckeye cock and the
photo is courtesy of Jennifer Wulff of the Poultry Press. To learn more about Shumaker Farms &
their Buckeyes visit this website link;
If you would like to see this beautiful buckeye cock in person,
consider attending the “Southern Ohio Poultry Association Show”, May 25-26,
2013 in Lucasville, Ohio. The Shumaker’s
will be on hand to answer any questions you might have about Buckeyes plus the
American Buckeye Club will be hosting their 2nd Annual Club meet at
this show. Trophies will be issued by
the American Buckeye Club and all are welcome to stop by and visit the ABC
crew!