THE quintessential activity of running a few chickens in the backyard is one that more people in the Riverina are embracing.
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Yerong Creek poultry specialist Mardi Walker of “Lodge View” is a member of the Wagga Poultry Club and runs a number of different breeds at her property.
She said poultry was something that crossed over well between people on rural acreage and those in the suburbs.
In fact, Mrs Walker estimates there is currently more interest in running poultry from people in town. One of the biggest growth areas driving the poultry industry is the interest that comes from young children. “Children love having chickens,” she said.
“And it teaches them so much, they have an animal to care for, they can collect the eggs and learn about production,” she said.
“Some children are even enterprising and start selling eggs.”
Mrs Walker said there were countless breeds available, however, for backyard operations and egg production cross breeds were the best.
However, she didn’t want people to be limited to poultry choices in terms of finding good layers. Her son, Cameron, runs ducks and in the past has bred game birds and some of the older breeds.
Mrs Walker said there was a poultry show coming up in Wagga on May 24 and up to 200 birds would be exhibited.
The event, in the poultry pavilion at Wagga Showground, has attracted potential exhibitors from the far south of Victoria and throughout NSW.
“It is an opportunity for anyone to come and have a look at the variety of birds and learn more about the industry,” she said.
“There will be lots of rare breeds and people may see breeds they haven’t seen in the past,” she said.
The ducks and water fowl were also set to create plenty of interest. “It is something the kids would enjoy, get them along and let them learn about the the industry,” she said.
“It is just a lovely past time for kids to learn how to look after something,” she said.
For people interested in getting some chickens Mrs Walker suggested they buy at least three. “They don’t like to be in groups of any less than three,” she said.
And as for cost, pullets can be purchased for $15 to $20 and show birds and rare breeds often command more than $80.
Housing options can either be hand made or purchased from stock feed suppliers. Mrs Walker said foxes were the biggest threat to poultry.
In fact, some of the areas close to town had a bigger problem with foxes than rural locations.
