General Rules

Exhibitors are limited to entering 15 breeding birds plus two market entries.
EACH MEAT PEN EXHIBITOR MUST SHOW ONE PUREBRED BREEDING BIRD IN ITS JUNIOR FAIR CLASS (including turkeys, ducks, geese, and guineas). If the exhibitor does not show in their breeding class, the exhibitor will not be allowed to sell.
All poultry must be free of contagious or infectious diseases including lice and mites.
If poultry are fighting with neighboring birds, they may be separated by cardboard, plastic, or moved to another cage, if space permits.
Exhibitors are not permitted to remove their exhibitor tag from the cages.  All birds will have an assigned cage with a corresponding coop tag. Exhibitors ARE NOT permitted to move their cage and/or coop tag without permission. If there is an issue with the cage or a neighboring bird, please contact a Junior Fair Board Poultry committee member or a Junior Fair adult advisor listed above.
All breeding poultry exhibitors are required to complete the Poultry Verification Form in accordance with the guidelines provided on the form. There will be 5 adults approved to check poultry and help fill out form. They must sign and confirm the paperwork. The completed form, along with any applicable blood test results, must be submitted to the fair office by the entry deadline date of June 15 .  All birds will be classed by sex, breed, and variety.  Only market turkeys, market broilers, breeding turkeys, and geese are exempt from the check-in. However, those exhibitors will be asked to verify their entries with the proper paperwork. Once verification form has been turned in to fair office, no changes will be made at the fair or during move-in. It is the responsibility of the EXHIBITOR to have their birds verified.
Each Poultry exhibitor must be able to produce one of the following papers (does not include waterfowl):

If the chicken, guinea or turkey is under 1 year on the day of the show:

Copy of hatchery papers from the hatcher or
 Copy of NPIP (National Poultry Improvement Plan) test paper or
 PPLO test papers showing a negative result.

If the chicken, guinea or turkey is over 1 year on the day of the show:

Copy of NPIP (National Poultry Improvement Plan) test paper or
PPLO test papers showing a negative result.

8.     Any turkey over 1 year or under 1 year without hatchery papers must be blood tested by a licensed veterinarian.  Exhibitors can upload their paperwork to the entry system, turned in during check-in, to the fair office, or during weigh-in.  All birds must have proof of negative Pullorum.9.	During any show exhibitors are required to have long pants and closed toe shoes.
10.  All poultry must be removed from the poultry barn by 1 pm on Friday.  No exceptions.

Market Show

All broilers and market turkeys must be in the exhibitor’s possession by July 1 of the current year. The recommended age for broilers is 6 weeks old. Market turkeys' recommended age is 12 weeks.
Weigh in will be alphabetically by last name. If exhibitor is not present when name is called, they will be weighed in at the end. Exhibitors do not need to be present for weigh in.
Exhibitors may enter, weigh, and exhibit 2 market poultry projects.

market turkey + 1 pen of broilers = 2 market poultry projects
pens of broilers = 2 market poultry projects
market turkeys = 2 market poultry projects

4.  A pen of broilers (2 birds) must weigh a minimum of 7 pounds and no more than 14 pounds combined weight. Market turkeys must weigh a minimum of 20 pounds and no more than 40lbs. Once weight has been announced, there will be no re-weighs. The weigh master’s decisions are final.5.  After birds have made weight, metal leg bands will be applied by a Junior Fair Board Poultry committee member or an adult advisor.6.  During market classes, ONLY minimal assistance may be provided by members of the exhibitor’s immediate family, 4-H advisors or club members.7.  The exhibitor or family member must be present when market birds are picked up by the packer.  

Breeding Show

For 2026, All breeding birds must be in the exhibitor’s possession by June 1
All classes are for an individual bird not pairs.
Only breeds and varieties admitted to the APA/ABA may compete for class or overall champions. Non-recognized varieties may only be awarded Reserve Variety or Best Variety, and non-recognized breeds may only be awarded Reserve of Breed or Best of Breed. If color falls out of standards it will go into an AOV class for the breed.
A minimum of six birds of the same variety must be entered in FairEntry for that breed and variety combination to be eligible for exhibition. Varieties that do not meet this requirement will be grouped into a breed class designated for all other recognized varieties. 
Any bird entered in the crossbreed class shall be a true crossbreed. For example, a Golden Comet bird shall be shown in the crossbred class. A lavender Wyandotte (a variety that is not recognized by the APA/ABA), for example, would show in the Wyandotte breed class.

Breeding Show Organization

A breed must have at least 6 in a variety in order to have a class. Otherwise the entry will be placed in an AOV recognized variety class to compete for best of breed.  

Age Definition

Cock - A male bird one year old and older
Cockerel - A male bird under one year old
Hen - A female bird one year old and older
Pullet - A female bird under one year old

Showmanship

Exhibitors must show for showmanship.
Showmanship will be oldest to youngest.
Attire for showmanship- No lab coats with pins, patches, or embellishments. Long sleeves with long pants and closed toe shoes are required to enter the show arena for showmanship.

Health and Care

To maintain proper animal care, poultry exhibitors must ensure their birds have continuous access to fresh water by watering them several times daily, if needed.  Birds should not be without water.
All cages and pens must be cleaned daily. On Friday, the cages MUST BE cleaned before move out is complete.
Wood shavings or straw bedding only. No pellets are allowed to be used.

schedule

classes

thank you to our sponsors