Photo courtesy of Derby Evening Telegraph
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If you've got a hen that's a bit quick off the mark, why not consider training it for next year's world hen racing championship?
The event, which involves a 30 foot sprint (or meander) across a pub car park in Derbyshire, is held each August and attracts entries from miles around.
Landlord of the Barley Mow at Bonsall near Matlock, Alan Webster, organised the first competition 13 years ago and it has grown in popularity ever since.
"When we were youngsters we used to race hens and I thought it would be a bit of fun to revive the tradition," Alan told the Ranger. "Considering we don't advertise the event it's amazing how many people turn up and really enjoy the afternoon's sport."
This year a German film crew was on hand to record the event and last year Sky TV transmitted the action live.
A bit of fun it may be but that doesn't mean there are no rules. The hens, which are released by their owners at the start line, must have at least one foot touching the ground and launching the birds is definitely banned. Any fowl play—such as pecking a fellow competitor—earns an immediate yellow card and further transgressions lead to a red card and an early dust bath. For obvious reasons dogs are banned from the pub car park.
Once the hens are released their owners are permitted to run to the other end of the track and encourage their birds to victory over the finish line.
Earning the title of "The World's Fastest Hen" this year was a locally-trained layer by the name of Wendy. Raced by George and Andy, this was her second successive title.
And for those of you who fancy your chances of earning a trip around the winners enclosure in 2007, landlord Alan was happy to divulge to the Ranger the technique used to train a champion.
"It's dead simple. Just feed your hen everyday at 2.00pm from 30 feet away whilst wearing the same clothes and making a distinctive sound the hen will recognise.
"Anyone who follows this simple training programme has every chance of producing a champion."
