Northland is hosting some pampered poultry this weekend at Whangarei's 107th annual Poultry and Pigeon Show. He's only seven months old, but this blue orpington is already facing a birdie beauty makeover - or at least a "pedicure" and olive oil comb treatment. Blue orpingtons are fairly docile. This one won't evenfly over the garden fence, says show organiser Graham Bellamy. "They're sort of dual purpose. They're a good eating bird as well as a breeding machine." With 830 entries from around 100 exhibitors, the show is pulling bird fans from throughout the North Island, including Hawke's Bay, Manawatu and Taranaki. It doubles as the Orpington Club show and the North Island Game Club show. Bantams, ducks, gamefowl, poultry and pigeons (homing and fancy) will be judged on how well they fill out their feathers, as well as colour and overall condition. The seven-month-old pictured is nearly fully grown, and doesn't have a name - with 20 orpingtons and 15 bantams, Mr Bellamy doesn't go quite that far. Mr Bellamy, who likes his eggs scrambled, has been secretary of the Whangarei Poultry and Pigeon Club for 30 years, and has been a bird fan since he was 10. * WHERE: Northland Badminton Club, Porowini Ave, Whangarei. * WHEN: Saturday 1-5pm, Sunday 9am-1pm. ENTRY: Adults $4, children free.
