Fowl fashion takes centre stage at poultry costume contest in Morse, Sask.

Costume contests are literally for the birds in Morse, Sask.

Hens, roosters and ducks in all sorts of costumes strutted their stuff on Sunday as a part of a fundraiser for the Morse Museum Country Fair Poultry Show.

"The costumes were a hit," said Morse Museum board member Jackie Wiebe. "They could dress them up … anything you wanted to. It was always a crowd pleaser."

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The costumed birds included a chicken dressed as a cheetah, another in a Saskatchewan Roughriders jersey, an Elvis, and a couple of rootin' tootin' cowboy ducks.

"They tolerated it. They didn't love it," Harleigh Carlson said of her ducks and their porch goose cowboy outfits. "I think it turned out pretty good, actually."

Kathy Russell, far left, holds one of her two entries in the contest, while Harleigh Carlson, far right, hangs on to one of her two cowboy-costumed ducks. (Shawn Mullin/CBC)

Kathy Russell won the contest with her Hawaiian-themed bird after her first idea was all shook up.

"Just with a spur of the minute thing — a Hawaiian costume. It's easier to make it out of binder twine," Russell said. "The Elvis costume that I did make … didn't stay on the chicken."

Morse Museum board member Jackie Wiebe says the contest in the village about 170 kilometres west of Regina, has grown to about 40 birds from 15 to 20 birds.

"The motive is probably the country girl in me," Wiebe said. "I love chickens and I love giving back to the community — anything to raise money for this wonderful museum. Our whole day has been centred around old fashioned stuff."

Silkie took top prize for owner Maelie Sherlock in the 'My First Chicken' category. (Shawn Mullin/CBC)

Wiebe noted the birds first competed in all their individual categories without only having a specific focus on purebreds.

"We like the backyard chickens," said Jackie Wiebe. "The kids that just have their favorite chicken and they want to bring and show it off, give everybody a chance to shine in the limelight."

That includes a "My First Chicken" category for kids. Maelie Sherlock's entry Silkie took home first place.

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"There's nothing better than seeing a big smile on a kid's face," Wiebe said.

"They're so proud of their chicken. I always say you either love a chicken or you hate a chicken. The people that were here today love their chickens. To share that with the young kids — our future producers — it's fantastic to have them out."

The show also saw what could be the start of a dynasty. Stephanie Hingley's purebred Copper Maran rooster, Denny, won his second consecutive people's choice award.

"I think that's pretty impressive," Hingley said. "He's a pretty flashy looking rooster. He's also pretty friendly and calm. I think he should get all the credit for that … He's just a nice boy."

Linda Berger stands with one of her two best-in-show winners. (Shawn Mullin/CBC)

It was also a banner day for Linda Berger who plucked both the male and female best in show awards for her Cochin Rooster and Purebred Black Australorp.

"This is our first chicken show, actually, so we're very excited," Berger said. "You've gotta pick out different types of birds and they're calm. Ours are free-range. I tend to find that they don't get as dirty."

The poultry show was just one of several activities at the fair designed to raise funds for the Morse Museum, now more than 100 years old.

Jake Jahnke took home first prize for the most artistically licked salt block. (Shawn Mullin/CBC)

The board put on horse-drawn wagon rides, a dunk tank, a vegetable growing contest, a pie baking contest, a car show, a horseshoe tournament, and even gave out a prize for the most artistically licked salt block.

"It's just a wonderful day," Wiebe said. "It brings the whole community together and it's just a win-win for everybody."

The museum is getting a jump on Halloween season. In addition to holding their poultry costume contest last weekend, it is hosting paranormal expeditions through the building on September 19.

This article, written by Shawn Mullin, was originally published to CBC News