Page 12 - National Poultry Newspaper

Could coronavirus be the catalyst for resurgence in competitive chicken breeding? Photo: Matt Thousands of birds of all shapes and sizes compete in the National Poultry Show. Photo:
Bamford
Veteran competitor Chris White is happy to pass on his knowledge to the younger generation of fanciers. Photo: Matt Bamford
Alan Bailey was hoping to win back-to-back honours with his prized game fowls. Photo: Matt Bamford
Kathleen Dyett
COVID-19 lays the foundation for future chicken Olympics
A PERFECT balance of power, athleticism and beauty is a lot to ask of a chicken but champion breeders Chris White and Alan Bailey have come closer than most to producing flawless fowl.
horse on Melbourne Cup Day, you’ve got to have everything in perfect or- der,” he said.
He said the hobby is a perfect relief from the pace of modern life.
“It’s also one of the only hobbies where you can eat your mistakes.”
For four years they have prepared for the National Poultry Show, also known as the chicken Olympics, and were left shattered when the four-yearly event was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Raising chickens has been his lifelong passion. “Everyone reckons I was born with feathers, and I haven’t changed,”
Cessnock farmer Alan Bailey was hoping to win back-to-back honours with his grand champion from the 2019 Sydney Royal Easter Show.
RAS president Glen Best said it was a silver lining in an otherwise gloomy year.
The veteran breeders hope the surge in popu- larity of pet chickens will lay the foundation for a new generation of com- petitors.
“It was extremely disap- pointing for many peo- ple,” he said.
“I had a good team ready, I couldn’t get them any fitter.”
“It’s a hobby that has great physical and mental benefits, and can be a break from the busy soci- ety we live in these days.”
For more than 20 years, the National Poultry Show has been the place where fanciers can lay claim to being Australia’s best breeder.
But Mr White said he was heartened to see more people using their time at home to start rais- ing chickens.
He said there are end- less opportunities to get involved.
He said he would not be surprised if coronavirus was the catalyst for a new wave of top tier competi- tors.
About 5000 birds are brought in from across the country to compete.
“It’s tremendous that so many people are getting exposure to it, just by having a few laying hens in the backyard,” he said.
“When you can, head along to your local agri- cultural show and have a look,” Mr Bailey said.
“We certainly need youngsters to come through and replace the older generations,” Mr Best said.
Veteran competitor Chris White works all year round to prepare.
“It’s a giant network and the more people who join — that is good for everyone.”
“There’s plenty of peo- ple who are keen to share their knowledge.
First published on abc. net.au
“It’s like having a race
“And it also takes a bit of luck.”
“I can come home from the hardest of days and the stress of the day is gone – it’s fantastic,” Mr White said.
The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW has been watching the uptick in chicken enthusiasts with interest.
Mr White said.
He was deep into his
“It’s absolutely a good opportunity to get in- volved,” he said.
final preparations for the 2020 show when it was cancelled due to COV- ID-19.
“I was shattered when I found out it was can- celled,” he said.
“Most people start with just a few laying hens and then they get bitten by the bug.
“Nothing matches the national show.”
The decorated fancier learned his craft from a coal miner who would re- cord every piece of meat and vegetable fed to his chooks.
Raising chickens has been a reprieve from COVID-19 for many families. Photo: Penny Travers Fanciers spend years preparing for the ‘chicken olympics’. Photo: Matt Bamford
Page 12 – National Poultry Newspaper, June 2020 www.poultrynews.com.au