THE poultry section at Northumberland County Show held its first competitive classes as a regionally- recognised event this year.
Monday’s show was promoted to regional status by the Poultry Club of Great Britain due to the high standards and big entry numbers consistently displayed at Corbridge.
Poultry section secretary Vicky Pepys said: “This has been fantastic for the show. There are various rules and you have to put on a certain standard of show.
“In the last few years, it has been noted that we run a good show and that we should have a higher accolade.”
A show needs at least 400 entries to be awarded regional status and Northumberland attracted around 15 new exhibitors this year, split between the birds themselves and the eggs that are also shown.
The best bird in show was won by Colin Gullan from Northallerton with his soft feather Yokohana.
Judge Peter Gray, who was responsible for judging around 20 soft feather classes at the event, said: “It’s a good entry. It’s coming towards the end of the breeding season and people are reluctant to fetch their birds out for a show.
“The winner was absolutely immaculate in feather. A lot of birds at this time of year after being in the breeding pen have broken feathers. This one is well presented.”
Preparation is vital to score well on the day. Mr Gray said: “Exhibition birds are different. Most need to be washed before they come to a show. Their nails need to be cleaned.
“People use silk handkerchiefs to stroke them. You should handle the birds to get them tame. It’s easier when you are judging if the bird is easier to handle.
“People have got to spend a bit of time pen-training. It’s all worthwhile at the end of the day. A good bird can lose because it hasn’t been prepared properly. If you’ve got a good bird, it’s worth the preparation.”
Poultry keepers are feeling the pinch at the moment because of the high prices of feed. Entrants at Northumberland County Show all received money-off feed vouchers as part of West Cumbrian Farmers’ sponsorship of the section.
Ms Pepys said: “Feed costs are incredibly high at the moment. It’s quite frightening really because it discourages people from keeping them.”
