Saturday, 20 January will see the welcome return of Scotland’s largest and most prestigious annual show of chickens; the 44th Scottish National Poultry show, hosted by Lawrie & Symington in Lanark.

A total of 3,600 lots having been entered into Scotland’s largest display of poultry which will feature hundreds of different classifications of chicken.

Anticipation is high after last year’s show was cancelled due to movement restrictions around avian influenza, otherwise known as bird flu, which were lifted by the Scottish Government in May last year.

Robert McDonald, Scottish National Poultry’s longest-serving secretary of over 18-years, said:

“This is one of the year’s most anticipated moments in the poultry showing calendar. The show attracts exhibitors from far and wide, all of whom I would like to thank for making the show such a resounding success. There’s a real sense of community amongst the people that come here.

“I’d also like to thank Lawrie & Symington for use of their excellent facilities, hall, and catering for those feeling a little peckish.”

The Lanark mart, which last year celebrated 150-years of livestock auctioneering, will be welcoming exhibitors from across the UK and Ireland; from Cornwall, to Wales, Orkney and the home countries.

Lawrie & Symington’s event manager Willie McCulloch, said:

“We have hosted the Scottish National Poultry show since 2010. The show’s popularity is eggstraordinary among the poultry farming community; and not just here in Scotland, but all across the UK and Ireland.

“Despite last year’s concerns and the restrictions around bird flu, the show is well back on track and we are expecting the number of visitors in attendance to be high over the course of the two-days.”

Throughout the weekend both chickens and eggs will be shown and assessed by a total of 52 judges, with Andy Anderson taking up the reigns as championship judge.

For a previous article from The Poultry Site about poultry showing and for a related documentary, click here.