Early on a brisk Sunday morning in the middle of winter, a shed in the Naracoorte Showgrounds in South Australia’s south-east is drawing a crowd.
Families, children and cage-carrying feather fanciers are ready for a bidding battle to rival any good country clearing sale.
Dozens of pens were up for auction at the sale. (ABC South East SA: Sam Bradbrook)
Lining the walls of the poultry pavilion are dozens of pens of purebred and heritage chickens; preened, plump and full of plume.
From speckle-feathered Anconas to lace-winged Wyandotte, mighty Australorp and sentimental favourites, the White Leghorn, the birds will find their way to new pastures after the last auction hammer falls.
“These are definitely an upgrade from the common backyard layer,” Naracoorte Pigeon and Poultry Club (NPCC) president Kim Hebberman said.
Kim Hebberman conducting the auction. (ABC South East SA: Sam Bradbrook)
“As a club, we’ve been sourcing these heritage hens from across South Australia to promote purebreds and rare breeds with a view to growing numbers and keeping historic breeds alive.”
A family affair
Poultry and pigeon fancying has been a staple of country shows, something Mr Hebberman wanted the next generation to continue.
Mundulla farmer William Peck, who showed chickens when he was growing up, said his 19-year-old daughter Paris had also taken up the hobby.
They attended the NPPC June sale on Sunday, which attracted buyers and sellers from across the state.
Ms Peck said she fell in love with raising chooks as a way to improve her mental health after a period of illness.
Paris and William Peck love raising show poultry. (ABC South East SA: Sam Bradbrook)
“I think they’re just very relaxing animals,” she said.
“It’s been great for stress relief to go out there and watch them and take care of them.
“I see a few kids at home who go out there and read to their chooks and get right into it, which is good.”
Mr Peck said it was a great experience to share with his daughter and had allowed him to re-enter the showing community.
The most valuable trio sold for more than $700. (ABC South East SA: Sam Bradbrook)
“I’m only just getting the bug back again, but definitely there’s a little community there,” he said.
“A lot of the older breeders are pretty supportive of the younger guys now getting in, setting them up with a good trio and some advice.
“It’s a great hobby for anyone to get into.”
Pigeon and poultry club member Eddie Locke, 17, said he had been involved in poultry showing since he was a kid with the help of his dad.
Naracoorte teen Eddie Locke spends his whole weekends tending to his show poultry. (ABC South East SA: Sam Bradbrook)
He helped facilitate Sunday’s auction.
“There’s so many fancy breeds, so many characteristics and when you breed them and hatch them out, they have a great nature,” he said.
“You can spend hours out in the chookyards hanging out with your birds and picking what you want for a show.
“Even though it’s a bit of a strange hobby, you get a lot of enjoyment out of it.”
Backyard birds on the rise
Mr Hebberman ran the auction as seasoned poultry fanciers and backyard enthusiasts placed their bids.
Ms Peck said she enjoyed the adrenaline rush.
“I actually like the nervousness of it all and going along and seeing what they all go for,” Ms Peck said.
Kim Hebberman hopes auctioning off more premium poultry breeds will keep their heritage alive. (ABC South East SA: Sam Bradbrook)
The highest trio sale of a rooster and two hens reached more than $700, while others grabbed a bargain hoping to cut down on their grocery bill.
While egg production is not the main aim of the poultry auction, Mr Hebberman said he expected a number of buyers would be bidding to shore up their own egg supplies.
“It costs as much to feed an ordinary bird as it does a good one,” he said.
“So we see an opportunity for people to get a start in heritage breeds as well as reap the benefits of their laying potential.”
