Breeder to defend his title

It began as a hobby when he was 12 years old but now, a self-proclaimed diehard poultry breeder and exhibitor hopes to stand out from the flock in the Albany Agricultural Show’s poultry section this year.

Nathan Watson will return to the show to defend his title of grand champion bird.

Mr Watson won the major prize in his first Albany Agricultural Show competition last year. This year he will enter a small team of between four and six Old English Game Bantams in wheaten and grey. “Its always stiff competition; as the old adage goes, never count your chickens before they hatch,” he said.

With more than 50 breeds of standardised chickens registered in Australia, Mr Watson said the agricultural show was good exposure for the hobby.

“A lot of people know what an old family chook is but a lot of people are surprised to learn there is a pedigree side to poultry,” he said.

“People have heard of pedigree cats and dogs but a pedigree chook, that’s a bit different to people.

“Agricultural shows are always a great way of showing off poultry to public.”

Mr Watson has been a poultry judge for the past 12 years with the National Poultry Show and the Old English Game Fowl Show among his most memorable.

His stand-out results include champion bird at the 2016 Old English Game Fowl Club Show and the Game Fowl Club of WA 2011 grand champion bird and 2016 reserve grand champion bird.