Chook-chook boom: Poultry explodes in Aussie backyards
From Poultry Hub
Posted on 30th October by Chris Day, Poultry CRC
AUSTRALIA’S backyard and farmyard poultry sector is experiencing a growth surge not seen for decades, driving a 50 per cent increase in values for birds.
Industry players say the growth can be linked to the popularity of chooks at country shows, a renewed demand for home egg production, and the resurgence in interest in traditional purebred birds.
Southern NSW poultry stalwart and auctioneer for the Sydney Royal Show, Braham Metry, Albury, said he had not seen anything like it in his long career.
Auctions from Queensland to Tasmania were so well patronised that bidders were spilling out the doors of pavilions.
In fact, the once-quarterly auctions he ran at Euroa, in northern Victoria, had now grown so large that he was now conducting nine sales this year.
“The price of poultry is also well up – birds are 30 to 50pc dearer in the past 12 months,” he said.
“For a purebred pullet you are looking at anything from $30 to $100,” he said.
And rare breeds of specialist bantams could easily make $300 to $400 for a trio.
NIKKI REYNOLDS
