Breeder's ambition a home-town win

Dunedin's Phillip Hill with Sarsha in the Drill Hall at Oamaru on Saturday, at the Oamaru Poultry, Pigeon & Canary Show. Photo: Shannon Gillies.

All Dunedin's Phillip Hill wants to do is bring the national Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Show to Dunedin and crow about a national win in his class.

The Australorp bantam fan made the comments on Saturday at the Oamaru Poultry, Pigeon & Canary Show at the Drill Hall.

He was first introduced to birds by his father, Trevor Hill, when he was a child.

"He was into birds well before I was born. When I was 4 years old, he walked in and had a little black chicken. He asked who wanted it. I put my hand up. I entered her in the child's section of a competition."

He won the child's exhibit and that sent him on his way to push for Dunedin to be the next base for the national competition.

"I think we can get it going."

The 37-year-old wanted to be able to win his section, Australorp hen, in his home town.

"It's not easy to get a good set-up. You don't become Valerie Adams over night."

He said what was so appealing about raising birds was their nature.

"There's something really relaxing about seeing some hens having a peck around the garden.

"It just clears the head."