A FORMER Isle of Wight parish councillor has launched a rather niche podcast centring around his fondness for poultry.

Jed Dwight, 32, and his friend Oliver Woodall, 28, have launched Bird Boys - A Poultry Podcast, in a bid to educate listeners on all things poultry.

That extends to ducks, chickens, geese and turkeys.

Jed grew up on the Isle of Wight, in Newtown, and previously ran the poultry section at the County Show.

His grandfather, Bill Boalch, was a member of the Carisbrooke Fanciers and used to breed and show large Welsummer chickens.

Isle of Wight County Press: Jed Dwight on pony Badger, holding a chicken, with his mother, Jan, at their home in Newtown.Jed Dwight on pony Badger, holding a chicken, with his mother, Jan, at their home in Newtown. (Image: Contributed.)

He gave Jed his first hens when he was five years old - hybrid laying hens – and his love affair with poultry blossomed from there.

Bird Boys - A Poultry Podcast can be found on Spotify, Apple Music and elsewhere.

The pilot is out now, and Jed intends to record the first full episode at the weekend, in Cornwall.

Jed was lucky enough to grow up on a small holding and went on to show, and eventually judge poultry.

Isle of Wight County Press: Jed Dwight in 2016.Jed Dwight in 2016. (Image: County Press)

He became a parish councillor for Calbourne and moved off the Island in 2015 to work as a parliamentary officer, going on to become a councillor in Surrey.

Jed is the editor of poultry magazine Fancy Fowl, and the UK’s youngest fully qualified poultry judge.

“The one constant in my life has been poultry,” said Jed.

Isle of Wight County Press: Jed Dwight with exhibitor Charles Holtom after awarding his Appleyard Duck Show Champion at Three Counties Autumn Show, held on September 24, 2016.Jed Dwight with exhibitor Charles Holtom after awarding his Appleyard Duck Show Champion at Three Counties Autumn Show, held on September 24, 2016. (Image: County Press)

“Ollie lives on another Island – Jersey – and we met over social media and have been friends for years.

“It was my idea to start the podcast as I was thinking of ways to reach out to more people.

“Bird flu has had a huge impact on poultry keeping.

Isle of Wight County Press: Shanklin RABI and Agricultural Society Ball at Channel View Hotel. From left Sarah Birchenough, Imogen Brade, Jed Dwight and Sue Hart in 2015.Shanklin RABI and Agricultural Society Ball at Channel View Hotel. From left Sarah Birchenough, Imogen Brade, Jed Dwight and Sue Hart in 2015. (Image: County Press)

“It put paid to shows in 2019, and they’re just coming back now.

“Judging is a bit like Crufts. You’re looking for a certain shape, standard, feather quality and fitness.

“You have to have a natural eye for it.

Isle of Wight County Press: Jed Dwight in front of Championship Row with the winning Muscovy female in 2014.Jed Dwight in front of Championship Row with the winning Muscovy female in 2014. (Image: County Press)

“Poultry, particularly chickens, have really captured the imagination of the public over the past couple of decades.

“I hope this new podcast will make for interesting - and fun - listening for any and all with an interest in poultry!”

Isle of Wight County Press: Jed Dwight shows Imogen Hill, four, a cuckoo barbu d'anvers chicken in 2012.Jed Dwight shows Imogen Hill, four, a cuckoo barbu d'anvers chicken in 2012. (Image: County Press)