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Heather McCormick’s Coronation Sussex hen has been judged the best bird in show at the North Canterbury Poultry and Pigeon Club’s 127th annual winter show.
The Kaiapoi woman has been a poultry breeder and exhibitor for over 20 years, and she entered 19 birds from seven different breeds into the show over the weekend in Rangiora.
“I started breeding and showing when my children said they needed birds for their primary school agricultural show days, and I haven't stopped.
“It’s been a lot of fun, and now my daughter Chelsea McCormick has also won a best waterfowl in show, with one of her Campbell ducks.’’
The club held its annual winter show at the Rangiora Show Grounds over the weekend, and there were 670 entries covering poultry, pigeons, and caged birds of all shapes and sizes.
The show also included the National Araucana Competition with 65 birds entering from all over the country, including a large number from the North Island.
Pam Brosnan, a club committee member, says they were honoured to host the national Araucana competition.
“We've had a wonderful weekend here, and to have the Araucana as well made it a special show.”
She says interest in showing birds is still very strong, and they had a good turnout this year in the junior and children’ s sections.
“There is a lot more interest now in breeding and showing birds because of the numbers moving out of the cities to lifestyle blocks and seeking a more natural lifestyle.”
Stefanie Kalmakoff of Dunedin won the Grand Champion Black Araucana award at the show.
She says she had been breeding and showing for almost 30 years and what got her into it was her fascination with the blue/green coloured eggs Araucana hens lay.
“That got me started and I’ve been breeding and showing since the early ‘90s.
‘‘They are a nice gentle breed. I have always loved birds and over the years have had many different birds of all sizes and shapes.”
Stefanie works as a mid-wife, and she is also an artist. She uses the feathers in her artwork for hats and hairpieces