Prized birds will be on display at the Wanneroo Show this year despite bird flu fears, with the poultry pavilion expected to be just as full as ever.
For the first time in its history, the Royal Show cancelled its competitive poultry exhibits — which usually feature around 750 birds from 80 exhibitors — due to concerns over spreading H5 avian influenza.
But the upcoming Wanneroo Show is preparing to showcase birds as normal, with show president Dot Newton questioning if the Royal Show prematurely banned its poultry.
“I think (the Royal Show) jumped the gun too soon and because some of the others followed suit, the people that love to exhibit their birds, when they find out they can do it here, I’m sure they will, because even in the past they’ve travelled quite distances to bring their birds to our show,” she said.
“We’ve gone through everything we need to go through and a lot of it’s sanitation and all that, which you do anyway for most things ... there are walls between them all, it’s only the grill at the front so they can’t touch or come in contact with each other.”
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development recently issued stricter rules detailing bird quarantine and not mixing poultry, but confirmed the exhibition was safe to go ahead.
“You won’t have a chicken followed by a duck followed by a turkey,” Ms Newton said.
“So the one row will have chickens; that’s part of the instructions we were given as the holder of the exhibition. We’re not to put them next to each other, which is a bit of a shame if they’ve grown up together.”
Anyone wanting to exhibit at the show must prevent all contact with wild birds by housing their birds for at least 14 days before the show. They cannot access wild water sources such as dams, and bedding should be regularly replaced.
Birds must have regular health checks before the show, and any birds with signs of disease such as fluffed-up feathers, swollen face and eyes, rapid breathing, sneezing, unusual neck posture and loss of appetite are not allowed.
At the event, exhibition cages must be thoroughly cleaned before birds are placed inside and equipment should not be shared between exhibitors.
After the show, birds should be quarantined for at least 30 days and any illnesses or deaths must be reported immediately.
The show runs from Friday, November 13, to Saturday, November 14, and is renowned for its significant bird display, with people travelling from all over WA to showcase their best birds.
Ms Newton said she was worried people would assume they couldn’t exhibit this year.
“It was so public when the Royal (Show) said they can’t have any to their show ... we’re worried people don’t realise that yes, they can enter their chickens from home or from the breeders,” she said.
“In the past we have had entries of turkeys and ducks, as well as backyard chooks, and of course if they want to they can enter the eggs in the other pavilion.
“We were worried people would think that we, along with a lot of other shows, have cancelled the poultry and we haven’t.”
People can enter online and bring their birds in on Saturday morning for judging. The Joe Marinovich poultry pavilion will then open to the public.
The rest of the show will continue as normal, with live entertainment, rides, show bags, food, animals and marquees from local businesses taking over the showgrounds.
Scottish Highland Cattle will feature for the first time, alongside long-time favourites such as log chopping, sled dogs, BMX tricks, skydivers and fireworks.
Ms Newton confirmed entry prices and costs for having a marquee on the grounds have not increased to ensure people and businesses “doing it tough” can still get involved.
Family ticket packs for two adults and two children under 16 years old cost $45.
Free parking will be available nearby.