Showing has been in the family for as long as he could remember, whether it be horses or cakes, the family was always involved.

Mr Harriden has been the Queanbeyan Show Society president for 12 years and has bred heritage turkeys for a number of years.

When he and his aunt, Narelle Hallam decided to show turkeys about five years ago, it just seemed like a natural progression, Mr Harriden said.

"My fascination with turkeys stemmed from when my grandmother used to breed turkeys in the old days as a way of supplementing her farm's income at Christmas," he said.

"The family has always been involved in exhibiting, so we all have that competitive spirit.

"But it's not just about winning, it's about presenting your bird the best you can."

Mr Harriden and Ms Hallam have had a great deal of success at a number of shows, including the Championship Gobbler in 2013.

They recently came away with the Best Bronze Female ribbon and second for both their bourbon red gobbler and bronze gobbler at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and Mr Harriden said he could not be happier.

"I'm always happy to come away with a ticket, it's always good to come home with something," he said.

The key to breeding a good turkey is in the genes, Mr Harriden said.

"It's a lot to do with genetics really, but the judges are looking for correct weight, because it's bred for its meat it has to be a meaty bird, have a plumish bronze colour, with a white strip at the tial and a strong head and strong legs to hold itself up."

Unfortunately Mr Harriden and Ms Hallam are part of a dying breed of naturally heritage turkeys breeders, but Mr Harriden said he cannot understand why.

"Obviously you need to have a lot of space because they're a big bird," he said.

"They're not dumb as some people think.

"And some people think they're the ugliest bird going around, but as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder."