Birds of virtually every feather will be flocking to Westerner Park this weekend.
The Peavey Mart Urban Farm Show is set to be held Nov. 23-25 at in the east AG Centre.
There will be a variety of breeds of birds at the show including about 1,000 pigeons and 700 poultry including turkeys, ducks, geese, guinea fowl and chickens in standard and bantam sizes. There will also be a rabbit show with about 300 bunnies on hand as well as three different breeds of pig, three different breeds of sheep and Texas long horn, among others.
“There will be a large sales area for the heritage breeds as well,” said Liz Munro, organizer of the show and director for Canadian Heritage Breeds. “And for those looking to have urban chickens, we have everything someone needs to set that up properly. We will also have all the information needed to do so at the show as well.”
Munro has organized the show for nearly four years and she said each year becomes more successful as people are interested in not only raising their own poultry but also interested in the lifestyle and what it takes to do so.
“The people getting into this are raising a better quality bird.”
CLUCK (Canadian Liberated Urban Chicken Klub) will also be on hand during the event to provide information with their Urban Hen Party.
“They can give you a lot of information on setting up your urban coop.”
Munro added it was important to include the urban chickens in the show this year because of the current pilot project that the City has going on right now with allowing chickens in your backyard.
“The urban people are adopting a lot of our heritage hens which is giving us a huge leg-up on these breeds that are going extinct or that are rare. Even though people aren’t breeding them, it’s allowing them to be out there and be seen so that people ask questions about what breed of bird they are,” she said. “The City has done a great job with the pilot project and they are exploring all avenues.”
Munro said she encourages the general public to check out the show.
“It’s a great opportunity to learn where your food comes from, especially for the children to learn.”
Starting in January, Munro will also be hosting a number of seminars on behalf of CHB at Peavey Mart in Red Deer for those interested in urban chickens. Seminar topics will include how to be a good chicken neighbour, nutrition and health issues of birds as well as proper housing for chickens.
For more information about the show check out www.canadianheritagebreeds.com or call Liz Munro at 403-391-8697.
Admission is $5 for adults and children under 12-years-old get in free.
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com
