Time is running out for poultrymen and women to submit their entries for the online Scottish Agricultural Show which takes place next month.
The virtual show, held in partnership with the Royal Highland Show, is being hosted by The Courier and the Press & Journal and is sponsored by EQ Accountants.
Strong competition is expected for the poultry section, which is sponsored by Ledingham Chalmers. The categories include bantams, water fowl, rare breeds and eggs.
The judge is Robert Chapman who has been in the industry all of his working life and owns Farmlay Eggs near Strichen which has 350,000 chickens on the 2,500 acre farm, principally using three breeds, H&N, Hy Line and Lohmann. He also runs 220 suckler cows and rears 700,000 pullets each year.
Mr Chapman says that although he is new to judging, he has been a poultry farmer since he left school.
He said: “I will be looking for a bird that bright eyed, looking alert and standing well. I’ll also be looking at the quality and coverage of the plumage – wing feathers need to be well spaced and straight, the neck feathers need to have a nice shine, while the tail feathers need to be well placed.
“The comb needs to be nice and bright and a straight beak with no discharge from the nostrils is also important. The bird’s feet should also be clean with no abrasions.”
Mr Chapman has previously won the Poultry Farmer of the Year Award and in 2017, he received the RNAS good farming award.
Each entry requires a £5 donation via Just Giving in support of the Royal Highland Education Trust charity.
To enter visit scottishagriculturalshow.co.uk, where there are details on how to take part.
Entries are open until midnight on June 19.
jimillar@thecourier.co.uk