Sadly this year we did not have a poultry show at Balmoral due to the ongoing Avian Flu restrictions.
Instead, the McKibbin family from Carryduff kindly put on a display of birds which were joined in the marquee by a show of rabbits.
The poultry display is always a very popular event at Balmoral Show, so its absence was a disappointment for the huge number of people who come to see them each year.
However, they were delighted with the vast range of birds that Robert and Joanne McKibbin had kindly put on display for people to see.
The Balmoral Show is the largest agricultural event in Northern Ireland and the best place to showcase yesteryear fowl, so this wonderful display will definitely have highlighted these old breeds and hopefully encouraged others to keep them.
It was great to see all the poultry fanciers coming to show their support and it was nice to see Patricia Swandel and Jimmy Hughes out at the show again.
I think I speak for everyone that exhibits birds when I say that we all cannot wait to get back to showing as we all miss the enjoyment, craic and camaraderie.
n The next shows are Lurgan, Ballymoney, Armagh and Ballymena.
We hope that these shows get the go ahead after the excellent news from our southern friends that poultry gatherings have been given the all-clear and now can be arranged again in the Republic.
n Once again thanks to all the Balmoral poultry committee and the stewards that helped to put on a great display of birds.
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