Libya's chicken 'beauty pageant' provides colourful distraction from national crisis

Unique breeds of chicken can sell for more than $800 each

A chicken of the Klay Queen breed is pictured as it wins first place in the beauty pageant exhibition at a Libyan farm in Tajoura, a suburb of Tripoli. All photos: Reuters

A visitor and his son look at chickens at the beauty pageant exhibition.

A chicken of the Malaki Splash breed.

A participant holds his Brahma-breed chicken.

.People take a closer look at the chickens competing.

Ornamental chickens — unusual looking poultry bred for their strange or colourful appearance — might not be the most obvious distraction from the problems facing the country.

But one chicken breeder in the Libyan town of Tajoura is hoping the art of breeding unique birds will inspire young people who have mostly been used to war.

The town, about 23 kilometres east of the capital Tripoli, hosts an event some liken to a pageant to showcase the many different breeds of chicken.

The competition aims to find the best looking chicken from each breed. The poultry are judged by their colour, size and shape, as well as the shine of their feathers.

“This is the first time I have attended an event like this and have seen these breeds of chicken. I had only heard of normal chickens before, this is the first time I've seen all these,” said Taher Belkassem, a visitor to the event told Reuters.

“I was blown away to be honest, they're beautiful. I can't believe I'm at my age and this is the first time I have seen these breeds. Had it not been for this exhibit I wouldn't have learnt about this. Really great initiative and I thank the organisers for their efforts.”

Prices of the ornamental chickens range between $50 and $800, with prize winners fetching even more.

Khaled Diab, the event supervisor, said the show was a chance to find respite from the political chaos and conflict that has riven Libya since a Nato-backed uprising against former dictator Muammar Qaddafi.

“We are witnessing the gathering of ornamental chicken breeders. This is a great profession that has taken the youth away from negativity and wars. I hope the officials will support the youth in this field,” he said.