PLEASE NOTE: THIS FUNDRAISER HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL EARLY NEXT YEAR DUE TO UNFORSEEN WEATHER CONDITIONS IN QUEENSLAND. 

COONABARABRAN HIGH SCHOOL

AGRICULTURAL POULTRY FUNDRAISER

The Coonabarabran High School Ag-Plot in conjunction with a specialist poultry breeder from Central Queensland have organised a fundraiser for the improvement of the Chook facilities at the Ag-Plot.

The Breeder is offering a range of rare and unusual poultry breeds to the school so that they can be on sold by the school.  All proceeds are being used to upgrade the poultry section at the Ag-Plot.

The chickens will arrive as day olds and be available from the 25 November. The base price per bird is $15 plus $1 for every week of age.  This is a small investment for a rare or unusual pure bred chicken that will provide you and your family with years of eggs and enjoyment.

There are a number of benefits to owning purebred poultry rather than the commercial crossbred strains:

• Purebred poultry have a longer productive life than crossbred poultry.
• The rarity of some breeds makes raising them profitable, many people are now running a small backyard flock; purebred poultry are highly sort after.
• Each breed has a unique history that in some cases can be traced back hundred of years.
• Purebread poultry have a look of there own, some extremely beautiful and others very unusual. (Go to page 10 of November Newsletter  to see pictures of each breed)

The breeds that will be on offer are listed below:

Ancona

Ancona’s originated from near the city on Ancona in Italy.  Like all Mediterranean chook breeds, Ancona’s are good egg layers (180+ a year) of large white eggs. They are active birds, are good foragers.  Ancona’s are a hardy bird that adapts well to most climates, especially hot dry summers.

Australian Game

Australian Games are one few chook breeds that originate from our own shores (circa 1880’s). Originally bred as a fighting fowl they are now mainly bred for the show pen. A large stately game bird that has unfortunately became extremely rare as there are very few breeders around. Australian Game lay a medium sized white to tinted eggs (100-150 a year) and make excellent mothers. Australian Game are an extremely hardy breed which does not need a lot of care.

Australorp

Australorps are another of the chook breeds that has its origins in Australia. These birds were bred as a dual purpose breed, producing large quantities of tinted eggs (250+ a year), but also providing a good sized bird for the table. The excellent egg laying qualities of the Australorp combined with its easy going personality make it an excellent choice as a member of any chook run. The school will have Speckled Australorps available, these are indeed an extremely rare breed.

Buff Cochins

Cochins are a breed that originated in the Shanghai district of China more than 150 years ago. Cochins lay a small tinted egg (100 a year) and make excellent mothers. Due to their gentle and quiet nature,  Cochins make excellent companions and pets. Cochins are easily kept in small enclosures as they cannot fly very well.

Houdans

Houdans are a dual purpose breed originating from France. They are unusual in that they possess a large feathered hood on the top of their heads, especially in hens. They produce a medium sized white egg. (150 a year) They are a active bird but very placid bird. Houdans are a very unusual looking bird that would make an excellent addition to any backyard.

Brown Leghorns

Leghorns are another breed that originated in the Mediterranean region, specifically around the city of Leghorn in Italy. Leghorns are a breed used as a basis for the commercial eggs laying crosses of today. Once a common breed found in lot of backyards, the purebred Leghorn has become an increasingly rare breed. The egg laying crosses have taken their place in many backyards. Leghorns are a highly active bird, who make good foragers in the backyard supplementing much of their diet when free ranging. They lay a large white to tinted egg (250+ a year).

Naked Necks

Naked Necks are also known as Turken’s. They are an extremely unusual breed that lacks feathers on their necks and sometimes breast areas. Originating from Eastern Hungary, they are good layers of white through to brown eggs. (120 a year) Naked Necks are active and hardy birds that are excellent free ranging in any backyard. The curious look of the Naked Neck’s gives them the curiosity factor.

 Light and Coronation Sussex

Sussex are a well known old breed of bird originating from the county of Sussex in England. They are a large docile bird that lay a medium sized white egg (120-150 eggs a year). Sussex are classed as a dual purpose bird due to their excellent table properties.  They are excellent mothers.

Contact the school regarding purchasing any of these birds.  Get in quick as there are limited numbers of each breed.  If there is a breed that you are after whether it be chook, duck or goose, let us know, and we may be able to help you.