EDWARD Boothman, of Silsden, chairman of the Craven Poultry Keepers Club and The Poultry Club of Great Britain, emerged victorious at the Craven Feather Auctions premier poultry show and sale on Saturday.

Mr Boothman was crowned champion at Skipton Auction Mart for his pair of White Call ducks.

Bred in 2014, the winning pair were siblings of the brother and sister which won first prize at the last show.

Mr Boothman said: “The secret is good breeding. I originally bought the parents from one of the top breeders in the country, S and G Hodge.”

This year’s winning pair were sold for £50, although the top-selling birds were a trio of White Wyandottes, sold for £100 by previous champion David Pownall, of Derbyshire, who won second prize in the waterfowl category.

The reserve champion prize went to a trio of Ancona chickens, presented by EL Bailey of Clitheroe, who also scooped third prize in the waterfowl category with a trio of White German Langshans. The reserve champions were sold for £35.

The show was judged by Jacqui Moore, of Middleton, Manchester, who gave expert feedback to the poultry keepers.

First prize for the best pen of Bantams went to Brian Metcalfe, of Nelson, with a pair of Norfolk Greys, with second prize going to JH and K Dewhurst’s trio of Rhode Island Reds and third prize to AP Leetham with a trio of Light Sussexs.

Second prize for best pen of large fowl went to John Robinson with another pair of White Calls and third to HJ Walmsey with a pair of Apricot Calls.

Future Craven Premier Poultry shows and sale dates, all on Saturdays, are: September 5 (entry closing date Friday, August 28) and October 10 (entry closing date Friday, October 2)

They are also supported by additional Craven Feather Auctions sales of poultry and waterfowl. These dates, again all on Saturdays, with entry closing dates eight days earlier, are May 23, July 18, November 7 and December 12, which is also the high profile Christmas show & sale.

Details are at ccmauctions.com