WHETHER you love feathers or fur, there will be something which is sure to appeal to Royal Show-goers this year.

The Pietermaritzburg Budgerigar Club will be hosting a young bird show, for birds bred and rung during 2015 and 2016 at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg.

Budgie breeders from across South Africa will be participating in the competition, which is being judged by Johan Lucas, who is well-known for his own excellent stock of exhibition budgies and more recently the breeding of fancy wild type birds.

This year’s show will run from Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5 in the hall next to the rabbit hall.

Birds will be available to buy at reasonable prices.

The South African Fancy Pigeon Association will be showing its finest birds at the Royal Show in the bird hall from May 26 to June 1.

The pigeons will be benched and judged on Thursday, May 26 and the hall will be open to the public from 9 am to 5 pm from May 27 to May 31. On June 1 the birds will released and the hall vacated for the caged birds and budgies.

There will be some new breeds on display, and members will be on hand to answer any questions and advise any interested visitor.

If you prefer furry friends, then head down to the rabbit section, which is run by the Natal Rabbit Club and has been in existence for 60 years and part of the Royal Show for the past 59 years.

Visitors will be able to view breeds in four sections, fancy, fur, satin and Rex. There will also be Angora spun, crocheted and knitted items on show, and pelts, breeding stock and pets available to the public.

Judging will take place on Thursday, May 26 and Friday, May 27 and the hall will be open to the public from the first Friday afternoon to the last Sunday when it will close at 12 noon. Please note that the hall is closed from 12 noon to 1 pm daily.

Entry to the Royal Show – which runs from May 27 to June 5 – is R60 for adults and R40 for children under 12 and pensioners. Entry is R40 for everyone on Wednesday, June 1.