A quacking good win for Willow the Duck

This year, for the first time in the National Poultry and Pigeon Show's long history, a duck is the Champion of Champions.

Willow, a rare Silver Appleyard duck who hales from the South Island town of Darfield, seemed unperturbed to be the 'duck horse' of 2023.

Six impressive birds shared the spotlight on Champions Row, but there can be only one 'best in show'. This year that was Willow, owned by Caroline Falkingham.

Her victory will surely ruffle some feathers in the chook-breeding world, but it's finally time for waterfowl to spread their wings, says show judge Ian Selby, who's been involved in the poultry world for over 50 years.

"That duck, it's a Silver Appleyard, it's got everything and when you put it in your hand it's a powerful bird."

Runner-up was a close call but Judge Selby eventually chose a stunning black Pekin Bantam with imperfect posture.

"She crouched. She just crouched a little bit, but her head should be up.

"You've got to be extra critical because they're the best birds in the country, so you're looking at minor points."

Thirteen-year-old Raphaela Cook is one of the youngest exhibitors at the Poultry and Pigeon Show and new to top-flight showing.

She loved the experience but admits it takes a lot of time to prepare a show bird.

"First off you have to get off all the poo around its bum and feet and then you have to oil the legs, the comb and the waddles, and then you snip the feathers around the comb."

Raphaela is being mentored by well-known chicken breeder Brett Hawker, who featured in the award-winning Kiwi documentary Pecking Order.

"She's the future and now she's had her first experience of big shows, what we've got to do is find something she likes in terms of fancy bantams to work with, so she'll be up and running by next year," the 76-year-old says.

Dunedin bird fancier Jaydean Washington has close to 50 birds entered in the show, the majority are canaries and finches.  

"I've been showing canaries for about ten years now. I was about six when I started and now I'm 18."

Jaydean drove his show birds up to Rangiora in a small car. It was a fun ride but a tight fit, he says.

"It's a real challenge. Honestly, the car is packed, I couldn't even fit another pair of socks in there if I tried!"

He recently acquired his own poultry judging ticket and is excited to judge some categories at the national show.

"Seeing all these new birds for the first time, and being able to pick them up and compare them to a standard, for me, that's my little kick, you know!"

The 2023 National Show was run by the North Canterbury Poultry & Pigeon Club, which is also celebrating its 125th Jubilee Anniversary.