On The Land
5 May, 2023
Purebred poultry auction something to crow about
“BIRDS of a feather flocked together” to attend the Atherton Tablelands Poultry Club Annual Purebred Poultry Auction which was held at the Percy Tardent Pavilion, Atherton Showgrounds on Sunday 23 April.
Over 200 people attended the highly anticipated and popular event.
The club first commenced in 1976 and currently has around 50 members whose ages range from between 10 to 70 years. New members are always welcome.
Atherton Tablelands Poultry Club president Troy Hocking said a highlight of the auction was catching up with friends and fanciers from afar and sharing knowledge and the latest tips for breeding the best fowl.
“The club auctions started in the 90's when I was a junior to raise money for the Annual Poultry Show and to maintain the pens,” he said.
“The auction is great for the com-munity as it raises awareness of pure-bred poultry and promotes the club and upcoming events which get more pure-bred poultry to not only the fancier but also the general public.”
Buyer Bodine Bailey, who came from Cairns, purchased 10 lots on the day to the value of $1,500.
“The auction was well organised with a top team running it,” he said.
“There was a great variety and quality of birds on offer today.”
Brian Rowling and Rowan Hoffman auctioned off birds to enthusiastic bidders who came from as far away as Townsville, Charters Towers and Ingham.
The auctioneers were a big hit with the crowd, not only with auctioning the poultry but with providing entertainment value as well.
Brian Rowling who has participated as an auctioneer for the poultry auctions for a significant number of years said this year’s auction was stronger than last year’s in relation to price.
Some excellent prices were attained with one lot of Silkies being sold for $400.
“Almost all of the crowd stayed until the end,” he said.
“This is a fantastic community event as seen here today by the strong attendance.
“It’s great to see young kids getting involved in poultry with their own birds.”
There were around 180 lots auctioned this year and the club’s aim is to now grow the auction to between 180- 200 lots in the future.
Poultry Club members receive the proceeds of selling their birds at the auction and a small percentage goes to the club.
The auction showcased some of the finest birds on the Tablelands.
It was a great chance for people to network within the poultry community, to look for either this year’s show winner or a child’s pet or just for some egg layers.
The Poultry Auction catered for the tastes of all enthusiasts by also having other various categories of poultry such as turkeys, guinea fowl, water-fowl (geese and ducks) and even avian birds (parrots).
Birds were sold singly, in pairs or in trios. With around 18 different breeds to choose from that were “all the col-ours of the rainbow” in their various fabulous, feathered forms, there were both large breeds and bantams on offer on the day.
Breeds that were auctioned this year included Silkies, Croat Langshans, Australorp, Wyandotte, Rhode Island Red, Sussex (Speckled), Cochin, Pe-kin, Belgium, Ancona, Frizzle, Aussie, Modern, Old English Game (OEG), Araucana, Barnevelder and Pit Game.
Among the rarer breeds of chickens on offer were Vorwerks; Silver Sebrights; Hamburgs and Brahmas.
A variety of waterfowl included a Chinese goose for auction day attendees to “have a gander at!”, a trio of Muscovy ducks and a unique Call duck.
Grey Indian Ringneck and Pastel parrots were also on offer.
Poultry enclosures and equipment were also snapped up by bidders.
With the show season rapidly advancing, some buyers use the auction as a source for purchasing birds which they will exhibit at the local shows.
? DID YOU KNOW ?
Chickens are by far the most numerous domestic farm animals in the world.
There are currently 34.4 billion in the world, that equates to four chickens for every one person (according to 2023 Statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)).
Chicken are important as they provide eggs which are mother nature’s original super food, meat and enjoyment plus they double up as alarm clocks!
