Rose Turnbull of Mount Cotton is crowing with excitement after winning three firsts, a third and a championship for her hens and roosters, entered at this year’s Ekka.
The three-year-old won with her bantam and standard Rhode Island red cockerals and her large soft feathered hen.
She took out champion bird for her Rhode Island white.
“She won, but she did have a little bit of help from her mum and dad,” father Nick Turnbull said.
This included bathing her soft feathered hen with purple shampoo (to reduce the yellow colour) then toning down the purple with lemon juice.
“It’s a trade secret. But I’m not so sure we got it right first time,” Nick said.
“Prepping the bird was a lot of work. Taking them in, being around the other people and soaking up the Ekka atmosphere was eye opening and exciting for us.
“We made some last-minute touches to their feathers, legs and combs for the judging.
“On the day they were judged, we checked the Ekka website during the day, but had to wait until the morning to tell Rose the results.”
Nick said the family had about 30 chickens, reminiscent of his time as a child.
“The sound of the rooster calls reminds me of home,” he said.
At the Ekka, Rose was able to visit her winning birds, before visiting the other animals.
“She didn’t see the animal nursery, though. We have plenty of animals at home,” Nick said.
“Her favourite was the showbag pavilion. She walked around proudly with a Barbie bag.”
Nick said it was their first show and intended to enter again next year.
