Shropshire Star

Pictures: National Poultry Show pulls huge crowds to Telford

[gallery] More than 6,000 chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys flocked to a national poultry show in Shropshire.

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People from all over the country travelled to Shropshire to take part in the National Poultry Show at Telford International Centre over the weekend.

From Booted Bantams to Russian Orloffs, Asian Hardfeathers to Buff Orpingtons there was something to keep the crowds entertained.

Whether it was looking for inspiration or buying a new flock of birds there was something for everyone at the two-day show.

Jim Young, president of the Poultry Club of Great Britain which organises the event, said: "This show is like the Crufts for chickens. Everyone comes along to show off their birds and try and get in the medals.

"They are a really friendly bunch even though competition is fierce."

The club was established in 1877 and the shows have been running in various locations since 1972. Show manager Andrew Marment had travelled all the way from Land's End to take part.

"There are 6,400 birds showing and then we also have the sale pens," he said.

"People come from all over the country to exhibit and to buy.

"There are 63 trophies up for grabs so everyone tries their hardest to win."

The birds were housed in large pens, with sawdust on the bottoms of the cages. Judges made their way amongst the pens looking for the very best birds in each category.

One of those to have travelled miles to show and also to buy was Maria Draper, 50, from Ashford in Kent.

She had spent days prepping her Cream Legbars for their first show outing.

"I give them a bath and a shampoo and then a quick blow dry with the hairdryer," said Maria.

Unlike some of the competitors, Sally Eynon didn't have so far to travel with her three Appenzeller Spitzhauben chickens.

Despite having more than 300 birds at home, including a friendly goose named Jack, she was able to narrow it down to her lucky trio.

The 43-year-old retained firefighter from Market Drayton said: "It is hard work getting them ready for the show. I start about a week before by giving them a bath and then allowing them to preen themselves in to feather perfection. We have shown all over the country but now we tend to keep to the shows closer to home."

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