Rodger-doodle-doo

Impeccable birds hatched at least four first-place ribbons for Brightwater poultry breeder Rodger Buschl at Saturday and Sunday’s 135th annual Nelson Poultry & Pigeon Association Show.

His winning breeds were among 302 poultry from the Top of the South to Canterbury, laid out for judging at the Hope Recreation Hall. Rodger has preened fowl for display at the event for decades and has 68 years of experience across the country in his 78 years.

He has 34 current fowl at his 250-acre beef farm, including Old English Game, Minorca, Leghorn, Campine, Plymouth Rock, Australorp, and Rhode Island Red.

His accolades for 2025 included best light breed for a Minorca, reserved hard feathered fowl for an Old English Game, best male white Leghorn, and first prize in a heavy breed category for an Australorp cockerel. The seasoned contender isn’t cagey about his preparations for success.

“I’ve done pretty well over the years, you’ve got to wash the white ones with a bit of AG Blue and white flakes before you show them, that cleans them well,” he says.

“Feeding them properly with wheat, chook tucker, and dog roll, they love that.”

Nelson Poultry and Pigeon Association president Laura Inglis says the ambition was for more breeders to flock in future.

“Socially it’s great, improving your flock by talking to other breeders, and figuring out if your birds are good,” she says.

“I hope it gains in popularity, and people who are first at this hopefully get more involved. People who come and look at what’s going on, hopefully they get inspired to bring their birds along next year.”