Poultry club revival almost complete

SHOW TIME: Beverley Love and Janis Cusack are gearing up for Wanganui's first poultry show in several years. PHOTO/ STUART MUNRO A-240415WCSMPOULTRY1

POULTRY is back in vogue. The revival of the Wanganui Poultry Club is well under way and next week it hosts its first show in many years.

Organiser Janis Cusack said the club had existed for more than a century but it had fallen away last decade.

"The club kind of died out and it's just been revived in the last three years," she said.

Four years ago she decided to try to rebuild but in a slightly less formal incarnation.

"It's a different style. It's now more community based, it's more about education." The club is not affiliated with the national body.

Ms Cusack said it would take time to build a club of experienced breeders from a group of newbies. That was the focus at this stage.

"It's about beginners and getting them into it. We sort of decided to give it a shot and it's coming together," she said.

The club has four professional breeders who guide about 20 beginners through the process of breeding and raising poultry.

"It's quite a lengthy process for people to learn. From that we've encouraged them to go into shows and they wanted a fun show."

Next weekend's show will include a wide range of birds and include prizes for several sections including pure, light and heavy breeds.

It also has a pet chook section, open to anyone, and the public were encouraged to participate, with entries closing on April 29.

Ms Cusack has been breeding for about 24 years and said it was a cheap hobby to get into, which was part of the attraction.

"A lot of people get into it because of the lack of cost in it. It's a form of farming but it's quite lightweight."

Public viewing is from 1.30pm to 3.30pm on May 2 at Riverside Church Hall on Mathieson St (the old hall). Participants have to be at the hall by 11.30am.

To enter phone Janis on 345 8718 by 9am today.