COVID-19 pandemic generates feverish interest in buying chickens

The Lismore Poultry Club is holding its first auction since 2019 and said they had interest from people keeping backyard chooks through to those looking for their next potential champion.

Lismore Poultry Club's auction co-ordinator Greg Clarke and president John Gibson are thrilled that their poultry auction on Saturday is attracting interest from backyard chook lovers as well as serious show bird enthusiasts. Photo: Alison Paterson

Silver spangles, blue laced red and millefleur sound more like models in a fashion show than entrants in a poultry auction.

But all these birds of a feather along with many other pure breeds will go under the hammer at the Lismore Poultry Club auction at the showgrounds on Saturday.

According to club president John Gibson, the auction is expected to be popular for those who want a few hens pecking around the back yard as well those looking for a particular bird to take a blue ribbon at a country show.

And he has a few tips on how to choose a good hen or two to lay your breakfast cackleberries.

“Look for a bird that’s alert, with a red comb and a bit plump,” he said.

“Make sure its healthy and fit, then it will be ideal for the backyard.”

Mr Gibson while said the club specialised in pure breeds, they offered a great welcome for new members and can provide plenty of advice on how to have happy hens.

“Beginners are welcome to come along and meet us and we can help them find a bird which will suit their backyard size,” he said.

“People can have a chat with us about that kind of birds they should be looking for and a family membership is great value at only $10 a year.”

Club auction co-ordinator, Greg Clarke, said the event currently had 106 featheredlots featuring purebred birds ranging from the plain to simply gorgeous.

“We have a wide variety of pure breeds including leghorns, wyndottes, Plymouth rocks, waterfowl (ducks), Transylvanian naked necks which are an unusual breed, Hambergs, silver laced and blue laced hens,” he said.

“It’s cash only and please bring your own carry box.”

BIRD IN THE HAND: Lismore Poultry Club's auction co-ordinator Greg Clarke and president John Gibson are thrilled that their poultry auction on Saturday is attracting interest from backyard chook lovers as well as serious show bird enthusiasts. “Bring your own carry box for your purchases,” they said. Photo: Alison Paterson

Mr Clarke said viewing for the public starts at 8.30am.

The pair said 2020 was a good year for poultry keeping with many people deciding to enjoy the benefits that backyard poultry offers.

“We didn't have an auction last year due to COVID-19,” Mr Gibson said.

“So it's great we are going ahead this Saturday.”

Mr Clarke said so far the public’s interest in keeping poultry was continuing.

“Last year was crazy as far as I was concerned,” Mr Clarke said.

“I only do bantams and I could not keep up (with demand) as they are an ideal bird for most town backyards.”

The Lismore Poultry Club auction is held at the Lismore Showgrounds in the Jim Muldoon Poultry Pavilion.

“Casino auctioneer Troy Carey has volunteered to run the auction,” Mr Gibson said.

Buyers are expected to flock from all over the Northern Rivers including Ballina, Casino, Kyogle and Byron while inquiries have come from as far as Tamworth.

Lots at the auction can sell from $10 to $500 and the Lismore Poultry Club will provide morning tea on the day.

Customers will need to register to bid and COVID-19 restrictions will apply.

View the auction catalogue at http://lismorepoultryclub.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021-LPC-Auction-Catalogue.pdf