Ben Reinke’s lifelong passion for raising prize-winning chickens
A childhood interest in chickens hatched a passion for rearing prize-winning poultry for one Top End man.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The unique bond between childhood pets and kids is like no other, and one boy’s feathered friend hatched a lifelong passion for rearing prize-winning birds.
A 140-strong flock of chickens in Humpty Doo is one of the reason’s Ben Reinke gets up in the morning, when he spends more than an hour caring for his prized birds.
The cabinet-maker first had a crack at raising chickens when he brought his first chook home – a silkie bantam – at just five years old.
“I used to peek over the fence all the time and look at these people’s chickens and I was just fascinated with the chickens,” Mr Reinke said.
“One day they gave me a little chicken and I named it Cheep.
“There was a few reasons why, it just cheep cheeped and I got it for two bucks.”
Mr Reinke fondly remembers Cheep following him down the street to the shops but he’s since turned his eye to modern game bantams.
“Once you’ve dropped your voice box, you gotta get a real bird,” he joked.
“I think I’d be looked upon differently in the community if I was walking around with those little fluff balls.”
Mr Reinke said he displays his chickens at the Royal Darwin Show, Fred’s Pass Show, and Darwin and Rural Poultry Club competitions and has won nine grand champions.
“That’s out of 300 birds,” he said.
“You don’t win the show two weeks before the show, you win it the day the egg’s born – so the right food, the right diet, even planning down to the right time you’re going to hatch the bird.”
The beak-to-talon process of prepping a show bird includes a pedicure, haircut - including an eyebrow trim - and slicking down their feathers with vaseline.
Although he loves his chooks, Mr Reinke said he wasn’t a “crazy chicken man”.
“I definitely like to have a beer and go hunting and hang out with my family and kids,” he said.
“It’s just something that keeps me grounded, it keeps me home, it keeps me in routine – I always like to be busy.”
Mr Reinke said many people asked “why the hell” he would have so many chickens and choose to manually feed and water them.
“I like the passion of the thing – otherwise, why have them if I’m not going to spend time with them?”
More Coverage
Originally published as Ben Reinke’s lifelong passion for raising prize-winning chickens
‘See some records broken’: First medals given out as ‘Games with Heart’ kicks off
One of the biggest weeks on the Red Centre sporting calendar is underway in full force, drawing thousands of competitors – some of whom have already taken out the top prize. SEE THE PICTURES.
Fire fears as heritage-listed mural sits forgotten after $3m acquisition
A fire danger period being declared hasn’t spurred the government into action over a site it acquired for more than $3 million – leading to fears an important piece of NT heritage could be reduced to ash.
Ankle monitors no deterrent for young crims as cafe boss hit twice
Two hospitality venues in Palmerston have been ransacked to the tune of about $20,000, with incredible CCTV stills illustrating at least one devil-may-care youth offender wearing an ankle monitoring bracelet.
‘Support us’: Flood-prone community holds emergency meeting with authorities
A remote Top End community with a long history of being hit by floods has met with authorities, calling for greater emergency support and a long-term solution to house their residents.
Darwin soldier claims boozy brawl was a ‘preemptive strike’
A young Darwin soldier has claimed his defence training spurred him to shatter a man’s jaw in a popular Top End nightclub.
REPLAY: Magpies impress in first outing of new campaign
Is this a changing of the guard moment in the NTFL women’s competition? A young Palmerston side has overcome a rebuilding Waratah to kick off their season in style. Check the REPLAY.