POULTRY is something Roger Hancock and his brother Kingsley were introduced to from a young age.
While the brothers are based in Mildura, they have had much success on the show circuit, and almost always exhibit at the Swan Hill show.
It was their grandfather who first got them interested in poultry.
“Our grandfather had some cross breed Bantams in the backyard,” Roger said.
This ignited their interest in poultry, and what started out as a hobby in their younger years continued into adulthood.
While Roger and Kingsley now have their own families, they both continue to breed and show birds.
Roger and his family run Ducknuts Waterfowl, where they breed a selection of purebred waterfowl.
They’ve bred around 11 different breeds in the last 20 years, including Muscovy, Pekin, Elizabeth and Crested ducks and have been very successful.
In 2018 the stud won Grand Champion at the Royal Adelaide Show in the poultry exhibit.
The win marked only the second time in the history of the show that a duck had won the prestigious prize.
“We were wrapped,” Roger said.
“No one ever wins Grand Champion with a duck in Adelaide.”
Their success continued at this year’s Royal Adelaide show, with the stud once again winning a host of awards with their 24 entries, including Champion Duck or Drake, Champion rare breed, Champion Indian Runner, Champion Muscovy, Champion Elizabeth and Champion Silverappleyard Bantam.
Roger attributes his success to commitment.
“It’s a passion but it takes a lot of commitment and dedication,” he said.
