All dressed up with nowhere to show?

Grant Brereton says there's still cause for optimism with pure breeds

- Grant Brereton

When poultry shows were given the green light to go ahead last year, it meant a return of hope and optimism for many poultry breeders, fanciers and enthusiasts. The big shows were now 'back on' (namely the Federation and National shows) at Stafford and Lincoln respectively, marking what many people felt was the beginning of ‘the hobby’s recovery.’ Not unsurprisingly, numbers at these classic shows were down from the lofty heights of 7,000+ animals, but it was a good start, and much of the stock entered was top notch, indicating that there were still a good few dedicated breeders involved. It is also worth remembering that these shows were brought forward to avoid bird flu restrictions, meaning many large birds weren’t developed enough to exhibit.

Unfortunately, the continued cancellation of poultry shows and blanket bans imposed by DEFRA, has led to a few fanciers giving up their beloved hobby. Many of them have been at it for decades and have made a real contribution to pure-breed survival and promotion.

They have weathered many storms over the years, which is synonymous with breeding, maintaining, and most of all improving, a strain of pure-breed chickens. And although you can argue that shows aren’t everything, by removing them it has changed many breeders’/fanciers’ way of life. The annual shows were dearly looked forward to, and not only for the competition, but the social aspect, catching up with old friends and indulging in their hobby.