Suggestions for Organizing Poultry Shows at Fairs and Exhibitions

Small Flock Factsheet, Number 50, Posted March 1997

Phillip J. Clauer, Poultry Extension Specialist
Animal & Poultry Sciences Department

Many 4-H'ers and adults as well take a lot of pride in raising poultry as a project or hobby. Fairs and exhibits are a great way for poultry owners to display their efforts. A good variety of poultry at a fair also makes an excellent display for fair goers.

When poultry shows are developed, the following should be taken into consideration:

A) All state health requirements
B) Clearly stated rules, classes and premiums.
C) Equipment and care of poultry on display.

State Health Requirements:

The Virginia Department of Agriculture, Animal Health, requires that "All poultry shown in public exhibitions in the State of Virginia shall have originated from U.S. pullorum - typhoid clean or equivalent flocks or have had a negative pullorum-typhoid test within 90 days of the movement to the public exhibition."

The state code section 3.1-723 through 3.1-741 explains the rules and regulations pertaining to the control and eradication of pullorum disease in Virginia.

The code defines poultry as "Live fowl, including chickens, turkeys, waterfowl and game birds, which are propagated and maintained under the control of any person". These requirements are for all shows, sales, and exhibits of poultry in public.

This is the only health requirement in Virginia. For more information contact the Virginia Animal Health Division, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Richmond, Virginia 23209.

Although the law does not require additional animal health rules, it is good to consider the following:

1) All birds must be of good health.

a) Sick birds will not be allowed on the show grounds.
b) Sick birds will be removed from the show area if questionable.

2) All birds must be free of parasites.

3) All birds must be in presentable condition.

a) Not excessively dirty.
b) In good feather.

These rules protect the other exhibitors from disease spread and helps to insure a desirable display.

Clearly Stated Rules, Classes and Premiums:

Rules are meant to clarify any questions as to the purpose of the exhibition for the participants.

Rules typically considered include:

1) Time and date entries due and whom collects entries.

2) Time, date and location of show.

3) When birds must be checked in and when released.

4) All health requirements.

5) Required entry fees, admission fees and bird care fees required.

6) Definitions of:

a) What standard is being used to judge poultry? Typically American Poultry Association and/or American Bantam Association "Standard of Perfection" serves as guide for the judges.)

b) Age classes typically used? "Cock" and "Hen" mean male and female birds hatched prior to January 1 of the year of the show. "Cockerel" and "Pullet" means male and female birds hatched during the calendar year the show is held.

c) Who is or is not responsible for birds at show?

d) Who is eligible to show?

7) If exhibitors must be present for judging?

8) Do birds need to be leg banded or permanently tagged to be shown? This is helpful should a number of birds be removed from their cages or if some birds are accidently freed.

9) Premiums and/or awards that will be awarded

10) If birds will be placed by the "Danish system" or straight "first to last" placing system.

a) Youth shows typically use the Danish system so each youth wins something.
b) Adult or open shows typically award the best 3 to 5 birds in each class.

11) The judges and show superintendent names are usually listed in advance in the rules section.

12) Classes offered are important to the success of a show or fair. If exhibitors know how their birds will be competing and understand how to enter their birds, they will be more comfortable participating.

Classes need to be all inclusive if possible and need to recognize the quality and purpose of the birds being entered. Crossbred birds should be in classes which do not compete with purebred poultry.

The most basic class listing should follow the structure below. It is based on the American Poultry Association class breakdowns.

Purebred Chicken Classes

Some classes for other species of fowl can be added like pheasants, quail, wild waterfowl, cage bird and even emus. However, these birds are not usually considered domestic poultry and require special facilities and permits.

The above is only a basic structure for classes which you can follow. If you have a large number of different breeds or varieties shown at your exhibit you can further divide any of the classes in this structure to meet your show's needs. For example, you could divide:

Any American Breed Class 1 2 3 4
into the following:

The more you break down the class, the more premiums or awards you will need to cover the classes.

13) Classes to consider for 4-H Youth exhibits only.

In addition to the above classes, the following make excellent youth project classes at fairs.

a) Pet class: Does not judge bird for standard breed quality. Judge birds and youth for:

1) Handling ability and tameness of bird.

2) Condition of bird.

3) Youths knowledge of care of bird as determined by question/answer time between youth and the judge.

b) Market Poultry Pen Classes: For this class, youth all receive broiler chicks or turkey poults at the same time. Youth raise pen of 10 to 20 birds, then select three (3) birds to show at the fair as a pen. These classes are sold much like other livestock at the fair. Typical rules for Market Poultry Pens are as follows:

1) All pens must consist of three (3) birds.

2) Each chicken must weigh between 3 lbs. to 8 lbs.

3) Each turkey must weigh between 14 lbs. and 30 lbs.

4) All birds are weighed in on arrival and split into weight classes based on formulas of one weight range class for every 8 pens entered.

Equipment and Care of Poultry on Display:

Poultry require feed, water and cage space which allows the bird to move freely while at a poultry exhibit.

Most fairs purchase pre-made poultry show coops especially designed for poultry shows. However, many fairs make their own coops.

Any holding and display coop should:

1) Ensure the exhibitor, spectators and birds can not get hurt.

2) Have a watering and feeding system designed to be securely fastened to the coop to prevent wastage.

3) Allow enough room for the bird to stand fully upright and freely turn around in the pen.

Clean and disinfect all poultry cages, cage bottoms and equipment after each use.

Pine shavings are the best litter to use in cages for breeding poultry at shows.

If you allow wild game birds and wild waterfowl breeds at your exhibit, contact your local Game and Inland Fisheries office to insure no special equipment or space requirement standards are required.

Waterers should be kept full at all times. A scratch feed mixture can be fed to the birds each morning and evening. However, it is standard procedure not to feed the birds the morning before judging takes place.