When long-time chook keeper Bob Venn died, his fellow Wagga Poultry Club members wanted to honour his memory.
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Mr Venn had been like family to the group, according to its “mother hen” Biddy Sohier.
Ms Sohier – the club president – shared the story of the poultry shed’s namesake at the bi-annual show across the weekend.
She said Mr Venn had lived in the same Wagga home for more than 45 years.
He was an elderly gentleman, who had lived alone. His only company and his love had been his chooks.
Everything was peaceful, until new neighbours moved in and complained to council about Mr Vann’s beloved feathered friends.
According to Ms Sohier, the old man was forced to give up his birds.
He died a short time later.
“They were all he had,” Ms Sohier said. “They were his life.”
The fourth-generation president said the club paid tribute to its members, who were like birds of a feather.
“We’re family,” Ms Sohier said. “That’s the great thing about the club.”
From spring chickens to old hens and roosters, she said age was no barrier to showing a quality chook, goose or duck at the show.
“We are a community here,” she said.
“Everyone can have a hen … it’s the pet that keeps on giving and you don’t have to walk it.”
It was no paltry affair on Sunday morning, with more than 60 competitors putting a combined 660 birds up for judging at Wagga showgrounds’ poultry shed.
No one was more excited than the youngest competitor, Morrigan Glassen, who put forward her two ducks, Loveheart and Sweetheart.
The four-year-old said she loved ducks.
“They’re cute,” Morrigan said.
“I washed them and got them ready.”
This love was echoed across the club, according to its oldest member John Kjeldsen.
He said each chook had a personality and provided a “real friendship”.
The shared interest meant the competition friendly.
Mr Kjeldsen said members egged each other on, but no one would ever get too cocky.
“We try to help each other when we can,” he said. “Especially the kids.”
Wagga residents can purchase poultry at the next sale, on the first Sunday in August.