Poultry to be allowed at county fairs

By Reed Anfinson
Publisher
 
In an optimistic sign that the last spring’s avian influenza plague has passed for this year, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health had ended its temporary poultry exhibition ban. It was lifted last Friday.
That’s good news for 4-H poultry exhibitors and state fair competitors at the Swift County Fair. 
When the state’s poultry industry was struck by a severe outbreak of avian influenza that killed more than 9 million turkeys and chickens, poultry shows at county fairs were canceled. There were no trips to the Minnesota State Fair for kids who would have qualified at their county fairs.
At the 2015 Swift County Fair, 4-H poultry participants were judged on showmanship using the stuffed birds, which included chickens, ducks, turkeys and pigeons. They will be judged on their knowledge of the birds, but not the handling of them.
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