Taieri Poultry Pigeon and Cagebird Club secretary Sid Bennett said because of the economic climate, there was renewed interest in keeping crossbred hens for laying eggs, but not in keeping purebreds.
Typically, purebreds did not lay as many eggs as crossbred hens, he said.
As a result, the number of birds at the annual Taieri show was significantly down on last year, from 600 to 350, he said.
The birds were shown by 25 exhibitors, from Invercargill to St Andrews.
Mr Bennett said that with his 12 Australorp bantams, his family of four had not bought eggs for three years, and it was hoped the increasing number of people who wanted laying hens would turn to purebreds and revive poultry shows.
"If I was buying poultry I would go for purebreds because you know what you are going to get."
