Exotic breeds at Winter Fair Poultry Show
Some of the most fascinating and exotic breeds of poultry to be seen anywhere in Europe are among the 939 entries at this year’s Royal Welsh Winter Fair poultry show. Visitors will be able to see many of the extensive range of rare breeds being produced and exhibited mainly by smaller breeders and fanciers who have kept alive old and rare varieties of poultry which might otherwise have disappeared. Thanks to their enthusiasm many breeds have survived the threat of extinction and remain as potential stock from which modern commercial poultry are fashioned. They therefore represent a genetic bank which it would be unwise to squander.
Many of the colourful and unique breeds on view have long histories and origins that stretch back hundreds of years including types that were introduced to Britain from countries across the five continents. The Brahma, for example, is of Indian origin, the Ancona is Italian, the Barnvelder is from the Netherlands and the Wyandotte and Rhode Island Red are native to the USA. They will be seen alongside traditional British breeds such as the Sussex and the Orpington.
Among the soft-feathered bantams on show will be the Silkie, named for its fluffy plumage which is said to feel like silk. The breed probably originated in China and the earliest surviving written account of Silkies comes from Marco Polo who wrote about a furry chicken in the 13th century diary of his travels in Asia. Silkies are one of the most popular and ubiquitous breeds of chicken but for those interested in poultry, perhaps as potential fanciers, a glance through the show programme will reveal an astonishing number of varieties from which to choose.
The show also has a waterfowl section where geese and ducks are exhibited. Among these are the Pekin, an oriental breed brought here in the 1870s, the Rouen, a domesticated version of the Mallard which was improved by centuries of breeding in France, and the Saxony, a German breed with Rouen and Pekin bloodlines in its makeup.
In line with the RWAS policy of encouraging young people to participate in competitive events, special classes have been included in the poultry show for fanciers between 12 and 16 years of age and there is also a junior handler competition for children under 11 years old. Junior handlers will be judged on the quality of their exhibit and the knowledge they have of it, their skills in the preparation of poultry for showing and their handling techniques.
The Winter Fair Poultry Show takes place on the second day of the two-day event – Tuesday, November 30. It is run under the auspices of the Poultry Club of Great Britain and is a show of championship status. This means that the leading prize winners qualify to compete at the National Championship Show, the UK’s premier exhibition of poultry. The waterfowl section is organised in conjunction with the British Waterfowl Association.
Stephen Kinsey Pugh, an Assistant Honorary Director of the Winter Fair, said he hoped visitors would go to see the poultry show. “It’s quite a spectacle and is informative and interesting, and the exhibitors will be pleased to answer any questions visitors may have about the remarkable display of poultry on view,” he said.
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