Zade Shakeshaft and Asian Game

A relative newcomer to the Asian Game scene, youngster Zade Shakeshaft has an undeniable passion for her birds and has been securing a few wins of note in recent years. Fancy Fowl caught up with her to discover how she got started in Asian Hardfeather and what fuels her interest for these unique varieties of poultry...

- Grant Brereton

Zade, well done on your recent wins! How did you get started with Asians?

Thank you! I had never kept poultry before I met my partner 7 years ago. His father kept Warren Brown hens for laying, and in amongst them was a Shamo hen that I called ‘road runner’ as she was drastically different to the Warrens! I managed to find a Shamo stag to go with her and I have gone from having a pair to having many more now!

Wow, so now you’re hooked, how many varieties do you keep?

I have got 4 in total: Shamo, Thai Game and Ko Shamo and more recently I got some Satsumadori to add to the collection!

What kind of space do they need?

A lot! The Shamo, Thai and Satsumadori need plenty of space. I think that's the key to keeping them fit, healthy and happy! All the youngsters have large sheds and outdoor areas and the stags have coops with long runs on so they have plenty of space to run round and be chickens! The Ko Shamos are a little easier and don't need as much space but need to be kept in during winter due to mine not being very hardy!

When did you begin showing?

My partner’s mother and father helped run Malpas and Whitchurch Poultry Show and I started helping there, and when I got my first Shamos I started showing too. I got hooked and the rest is history!

Which are the best layers of the varieties you keep - and which are the worst?