Mr Summerell is a past treasurer of the Australorp Club of Australia and retired judge and former steward of the Sydney Royal Easter Show. He describes himself as an authority of the history of fowls.

"Peakhurst breeder Edward Saill was president of an early Australorp club in 1930-33. Eric Lindsay of Arncliffe, and later Peakhurst, was president of an Australorp club in the middle of the 1950s. It is not known whether the 1950s club was a continuation of the 1930s club,'' Mr Summerell said.

The current Australorp club evolved from the Australorp Club of Queensland, which began in 1999. In 2002, the club incorporated as a registered entity and in 2003 it was formerly named the Australorp Club of Australia Incorporated.

"Australorps are considered to be Australia's national breed of fowl and one of the most popular poultry pets,'' Mr Summerell said.

A love of birds runs in the family and Mr Summerell's brother, who lives in Queensland, is president of the national club.

"I showed my first fowl 1954 and my father had fowls before then,'' Mr Summerell said.

"The interest in exhibiting today could possibly be greater than ever as people are keen to get back simplicity.''

Peter Gooch, 58, of Oatley is vice-president of the Bantam Club of NSW and the vice-president of the Exhibition Poultry Association of NSW .

He said there were not many breeders in urban areas because roosters made much noise. However, more people were keeping chickens today than they were a few years ago.

"They're great pets for children as they are gentle and quiet, and there's nothing better than eggs from the backyard chooks,'' Mr Gooch said.

He said alternative cooking shows on television and the increased demand for organic produce had contributed to the rise in popularity of backyard chickens.