Andy's Diary

The end of the year is always a time for reflection on the year gone and preparation for the breeding season to come.

This is also the time of year when the two major shows of the year occur. The National at Telford in November and the Federation in December at Stafford. For any person interested in heritage and purebred breeds of poultry these are the two shows to visit and see the complete range of poultry that we have in this country.

If you are going for the first time remember to go on the first day as by the lunch time on the second day packing up starts for the “great exit” at three pm. For the breeder of heritage breeds exhibiting at these shows provides a bench mark as you will be up against the best of the best. So there is no better way of finding out just how good your birds are then to take part !

Visit your breed club stand

I have the privilege of judging again this year at Telford on 30th November. Here my sections will be Scots Greys, Marans and Marans’ eggs. I shall also be running a workshop for the Marans Club. I might see you there or even be judging your birds! The Marans Club has always been forward thinking breedclub, and it was the Marans Club that instigated breed club stands. The idea first came from the late Bill Parr who revived the National Show and in 1978 when I was the Marans secretary we had a club stand at Alexandra Palace. This proved a great success and now all breed clubs have a stand at these two classic shows of the year. Club stands provide a focus for members to meet and discuss their favourite breed. It also gives new enthusiasts a focal point to learn more about the breed they have taken a fancy too. The workshop will centre on how I have picked the champions in birds and eggs. In addition if time allows there will be tips on stewarding and how to ensure your birds can attract the judge’s attention. Stewarding is a great way to learn more about your chosen breed. I certainly found it really useful when I first started to exhibit in the early seventies.