Shakin’ tail feathers in Headingley

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This article was published 17/12/2014 (3974 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Headingley business that’s usually overflowing with hundreds of flowers was filled with hundreds of birds for a poultry show on Sat., Dec. 6.

For the first time, T&T Seeds in Headingley hosted the Winnipeg Pigeon and Poultry Show and over 700 birds flocked to the area.

The main greenhouse of the Roblin Boulevard business was transformed with rows of cages of squawking birds, ready to be judged for the show.

“It’s an exhibition of poultry so it’s no different as, say, showing horses, cows or dogs or anything,” said Bryan Shelton, event organizer, who brought 18 of his own birds to be judged.

The show began as an exhibit in the Brandon Winter Fair. It moved to Winnipeg for about 20 years ago. There’s a show every second year.

There were many types of birds on display at the competition, including ducks and turkeys, but the more popular birds at the event were chickens and pigeons. Shelton estimated there were 350 chickens and 350 pigeons.

Justin Robertson brought 30 of his own pigeons to the show. For him, raising pigeons is a family tradition.

“My grandfather was in it, my dad is in it and I’m in it too,” he said.

Robertson’s favourite type of pigeon is the Voorburg breed, which strut around with puffed-out chests.

“They’re judged mainly on personality. Most birds are judged on looks but a big part of what the bird is judged on is how it responds to the human. So you talk to it and it’ll actually dance,” he said.

Robertson uses throat noises to communicate with his birds. He imitates their noises and they puff up their chests and sway.  

The birds at the competition were judged on a variety of things, including their shape as it compares to the ideal form of its breed.

“The goal is to raise the perfect bird in its breed. When we bring (them) here, it’s to see who is closest,” said Robertson.

People will purposefully mate their birds to get as close to perfection as possible.

According to Robertson, perfection is relative to the specific breed.

“Some traits that you’re aiming for in one breed could be a disqualification in another,” he said.

People flocked from all over the country to show off their birds but the best overall poultry prize went to Shelton for his white Wyandotte chicken.

Amber McGuckin is a community correspondent for Headingley.