The silver anniversary of Rendells first Spring Sale of Rare and Minority Breeds of Poultry was held on Saturday at Newton Abbot Market. Once again, the sale attracted a large attendance of buyers and sellers from throughout the West Country to one of the last remaining true market towns in the country. Fears of avian flu appear to be receding from poultry keepers' minds and there was an increased entry on last year, said a Rendells spokesman. The championship was awarded to D R Mitchell & S M Randell, of North Chideock, Dorset, for their trio of True Bantams of White Pekins, which sold for £65. The reserve championship was awarded to Mr R Chalk, of Halwell, who sold his trio of Old English Game Bantams for £58. Best Large Fowl was awarded to Gordon Murch, of Barnstaple, whose Croad Langshan trio sold for £45. Top price of the day was £75 for a pair of Ruddy Shell Ducks from Mr A J Anstey. Leading prices: Quails to £24 (4). Guinea Fowl £16 (4). Ornamental waterfowl: Bahama Pintail £25 (2); Carolina £42 (2); Ruddy Shell Duck £75 (2); Manderin £55 (2). Ducks: Indian Runners £44 (2); Khaki Campbell £24 (2); Cayuga £42 (2); Call £48 (2); Black East Indian £30 (2). Large fowl: Araucana £32 (2); Barnvelder £64 (3); Brakel £10; Cochin £50 (2); Croad Langshan 45 (3); Faverolles £25 (2); Indian Game £50 (3); Jubilee Game £36 (3); Marans £48 (3); Minorca £35 (3); Old English Game £42 (3); Orpington £35 (2); Plymouth Rock £40 (2); Rhode Island Red £45 (2); Silkie £42 (3); Sussex £68 (3); Welsummer £62 (4); Wyandotte £58 (3). Bantams: Barnvelder £15 (3); Ko Shamo £44 (3); Marans £20 (3); Malay £5 (2); Modern Game £5 (2); Old English Game £58 (3); Poland £25 (2); Rhode Island Red £45 (3); Sulmtaler £28 (3); Sussex £45 (4); Welsummer £35 (3); Wyandotte £50 (4); Dutch £38 (3); Pekin £65 (3). Overall average £12.22 a head. The auctioneers also held a successful sale of plants for W H V Lambert & Sons, of Cambridgeshire, at the market alongside the rare breeds sale. Next sale of poultry is on Saturday, April 14.
