Similar to the principles employed at his parents' organic dairy farm, Mr Ashton said he fed his chickens a variety of wholegrain seed and 'free-ranged' them so they had enough space "to keep them happy".
But with such a white bird as his trophy-winning Wyandotte, a bit of pampering was also necessary. Before the competition he washed the bird using three separate tubs.
"One had Lux flakes in it, then you put it in one with vinegar to get the all the soap out of the feathers, then there's another wash after that to make them really, really white," he said.
"Then you wrap them up in towels for around 30 minutes and then put them in front of the fire overnight to get them nice and dry. They are normally looking pretty good at that point."
But the timing of the bird's bath was also crucial, he said.
"I washed her on the Monday beforehand, because they have to re-oil themselves and get the sheen of their plumage back to where it is supposed to be. So it's really important with the timing of it," he said.
Ashton was not only a breeder and competitor, he was also a judge at the competitor at the 2017 National Show. The 34-year-old is the chairman of the Manawatu Pigeon and Poultry Club and has won "stacks" of trophies at North Island shows over the years after developing his passion for poultry as a youngster.
"I've had chickens since I was little kid. I've won stacks of North Island title trophies - the first one would have been 20 years ago back in Manawatu," he said.
He had tasted success at the national show previously, but winning his first supreme trophy in Christchurch was special, he said.
"I've won a New Zealand championship before but that was just for best heavy breed, and that was four years ago. But this was the first time I've won the overall trophy for best bird in show."
More a fan of Orpington chickens, Mr Ashton said he had only had Wyandottes for a year after they were given to him by a fellow breeder.
"I only bred this pullet last September, so I've done pretty well to get her up to good enough shape."
In contrast to cattle, Mr Ashton said he enjoyed breeding chickens because he could enhance their genetic traits relatively quickly.
"Because you can breed chickens at one year old, you can actually see improvements pretty quickly and do well just with a good eye. Whereas with breeding cattle, it takes a long time to achieve anything," he said.
Mr Ashton said he spent a 'ridiculous' amount on feed for his chickens and travelling to compete at the various shows during the season. He enjoyed competing in poultry shows because of the prestige of the competitions and the generous nature of the people involved.
"It's unique. These guys are really competitive but they are that generous, they'll take the best bird they've got and give it to you to help get you going, and then compete against you the next year."
Mr Ashton himself said he would be giving his best bird in show winner to a female breeder to help make her competitive.
"But I'll hold on to it for three weeks. The last show of the season is coming up in Waikato, so I'll take it up there and see if I can clean up at that show first."
