I had the pleasure of photographing some of the top birds on Championship Row with Rupert Stephenson at the National 2010 for poultrykeeper and Fancy Fowl Magazine. The editor of Fancy Fowl, Grant Brereton brought the birds up to be photographed and did a great job at getting some of the birds to stand in the correct way before we took our photos. It sounds easy enough but believe me, some were much harder to photograph than others but thanks to the dedication of everyone and the help of some of the owners, we got some cracking pictures to share with you. 

We didn't have time to photograph every bird on Championship Row. It takes time to get the right photo and we do try to take photos of other birds too if people bring them up. I have emailed photos through to most people now but if you had photos of your bird taken and would like a copy then please drop me a line, we don't charge for photos.

 If you didn't have your photos taken then perhaps we can see you at the Federation? Rupert will be there Saturday and Sunday and I will be there on Sunday. See you soon!

The British Waterfowl Association (BWA) held their 23^rd annual National Championship Waterfowl Exhibition at Solihull Riding Club on 7^th November and once again, put on an exceptional display of around 700 ducks and geese.

There were some exceptionally good birds on display again this year and there were some good quality birds to be found in the sale pens too.

David Hawkesworth was the Championship Judge and by 2.30pm, the Champions Row was filling up with the judges making their final decisions. A beautiful Brecon Buff Goose owned by Mary Reeve took Champion Goose or Gander and Champion Duck or Drake went to Team Wakenham with their Black Magpie Muscovy that went on to take the most prestigious Supreme Champion award. Stefan Windle’s White Indian Runner Duck was chosen by the judges as Champion Drake and went on to take Reserve Champion.

Read on to see photos of the Champions!

Robin Ramus has kept poultry since he was 11 years old, including his now 'famous' Buff Rock Bantams. And amongst many of his countless wins, Robin tells me understandably his most memorable to date was the 'Best Bird in Show' at the Scottish National around the year 2005 with a Buff Rock Bantam Cockerel. Followed the next year with a son bred off this bird - achieving 'Best of Breed' and 'Best Opposite Sex' to the Show Champion.

In the Beginning

Going back to the beginning, Robin began with Geoff Founds' strain from Nafferton, Driffield – and in all the ensuing years Mr Ramus has only had three outcrosses. It took three years before Robin got his first 'first prize' card. As a teenager our 'Buff Rock Expert' gradually built up to a stock of around 1000 mainly ornamental pheasants as well as ducks, geese, and racing and fancy pigeons. He rented 3 to 4 acres of land and with his friend and fellow show and stocksman, Derek Agar which they 'excavated' to make ponds with a stream running through the land providing a natural habitat for all of Robin's birds.

The Show Champion...

The Welsh Federation of Poultry Clubs championship show took place on 16th October in the Fur and Feather Pavillion at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells. This show incorporates regional shows for the Old English Bantam, Australorp, Silkie, White Wyandotte, Asian Hardfeather, Belgian, Brahma, Pekin, Buff Orpington, Rosecomb, Araucana, Sussex clubs and is a regional championship show for the British Waterfowl Association, Call Duck Association and the Indian Runner Duck Association.

The show was well attended throughout the day and there was a good selection of chickens, ducks and geese as well as a few turkeys. There were many opportunities to talk to enthusiasts about their birds and the standards were very high.

Newcastle disease was first found in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1926.The disease is caused by a virus called Avian Paramyxovirus Type 1. Whilst we tend to think of Newcastle disease as being associated with large numbers of dead birds it is important to remember that the disease varies from lentogenic (moderately pathogenic) strains which cause mild respiratory disease and low mortality through to velogenic (highly pathogenic) strains which are associated with high mortality. 

The velogenic strains cause high mortality (up to 100%) and spread rapidly causing respiratory and nervous signs. These strains can be subdivided further:

D. Kay Championship Judge

The East of England Open Poultry Show was held near Peterborough at the East of England show ground and as always, was an exceptionally good day out. After a misty early morning, the sun soon broke through and with clear blue skies, you could have been fooled into thinking this was held on a mid-summer's day.

The poultry and waterfowl show is spread across a number of buildings and is just one out of a number of shows taking place. Shire horses, goats, donkeys, guinea pigs, pigeons, rabbits, mice and numerous dog shows name just a few. There are trade stalls selling numerous country products as well as a small number of poultry feed, equipment and housing stalls. 

So, getting down to the poultry show itself, there were 358 classes which included chickens, ducks, geese and eggs. For waterfowl enthusiasts, this was a British Waterfowl Association championship show and the Indian Runner Duck Association and Call Duck Association had special rosettes for winners in their respective breeds classes.

Showing chickens is a popular hobby which can be enjoyed by all the family, and all shows have prizes for junior keepers and many will have a 'best ladies exhibit' section.  All exhibits will be pure breeds of a type recognised by the Poultry Society of Great Britain, and it is the points allocated for each feature which decide the quality of the bird and ultimately it's placing.  Sometimes, you may find that a local show will have a general section for children where you will be able to enter a hybrid, but this is not usually the norm. 

Shows are run to strict guidelines and judges are chosen a year in advance and will either be qualified to Poultry Club standards or an expert in their chosen breed.