Ducks, hens and pigeons are all on show at the Auckland Poultry and Pigeon show.
More than 160 birds have been dropped off to Kumeu Showgrounds, for the last minute preparations before judging day on Saturday.
The Poultry and Pigeon Association dates back 134 years to 1884.
The silverware is what everyone wants, but there’s less people vying for it as the years go on.
“In another thirty years most of them could be gone,” said Jay Smith, President of the Auckland Poultry and Pigeon Association.
“These are our heritage birds and we need to protect them. We need to have more people taking them on and breeding them and showing them.”
The documentary, Pecking Order, helped put the spotlight on the hobby, but organisers need more people.
So that it’s not just the birds on the chopping block.
“Those who don’t win first prize I’ve told them if you don’t win you’re pigeon pie,” pigeon owner Paul Decker said.
The pigeons are fighting for gold and quite possibly survival too.
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