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Home > Exhibitor Info > Premium Guide > Department 10 - 4-H & Vocational - Market Poultry

Department 10 - 4-H & Vocational - Market Poultry

Superintendent: Craig Reasy (814-330-7594); Committee: (Breed Poultry) Joe Nave, Sherri Nave, Cody Nave; (Market Poultry) Lois Yoder, Jonathan Yoder, Terri Reasy, and Echo Yoder

General Poultry Rules; Includes Turkeys
1. The term “Poultry” shall now refer to chickens and turkeys. The term “meat poultry” shall include meat chickens and meat turkeys. Where “chickens” is only specified, is only referring to chickens and where “turkeys” is specified is only referring to turkeys.
2. Poultry showing is only open to 4-H and FFA members in good standing and carrying a poultry project. For showmanship classes, age is determined as of January 1 of the current year.
3. See poultry special rules for ownership requirements.
4. All poultry must meet health requirements of the Bureau of Animal Industry, the Dept. of Ag, and the owner-endorsed health certificate must accompany the entry at check in. This certificate is available from your leader, ag advisor, or at link above.
5. All poultry entering an exhibition must bear an official PDA-issued leg band.
6. Exhibitors can enter their poultry and showmanship classes online at link above.
7. All chickens will be checked in on Sunday 10am - noon. Turkeys will be checked in on Thursday during fair week 8am – 10am. Meat poultry will be weighed at time of check-in and health inspections. Each meat chicken must weigh a minimum of 5 lbs. no exceptions, there is no maximum weight. Currently, turkeys have no minimum or maximum weight. Every meat poultry will only be weighed at check in times. The average weight of the meat chicken pair will determine the class assignment. All chickens must be checked in on the fairgrounds by noon on Sunday the start of fair week. Turkeys must be checked in by 10am on Thursday during fair week. Exhibitors must be present to check in their poultry for health inspection and weigh ins prior to caging any birds. Exhibitors must have the required health certificate for health checks and an owner endorsed health certificate. Exhibitor record books must be up-to-date and presented at check-in. Poultry will not be weighed in or caged without exhibitor record book.
8. Meat chickens not making the minimum weight can be re-weighed as long as it’s within the designated check-in timeframe. Exhibitors can allow their chickens to eat or drink to attempt to make weight. Due to terminal show regulations, meat chickens that do not make weight must remain in the poultry barn and are unable to be shown in the market classes, however they can be shown in showmanship. They are required to be taken to the licensed slaughter facility with all the meat poultry and the exhibitor will receive the buyback price.
9. No poultry showing signs of contagious, infectious disease or external parasites will be admitted.
10. All pens must be kept clean throughout the week. If your cage is not kept clean, or project is not cared for properly, you may be barred from future exhibitions. All feed and water bowls will be provided.
11. Biosecurity measures will be in place for entering/exiting the poultry barn including a disinfectant boot mat, which requires EVERY individual to step both feet onto the mat every time they enter or exit the poultry barn. Barn entry is limited to ONLY the poultry committee and exhibitors along with ONE parent/guardian to assist with daily animal care. NO SPECTATORS ARE PERMITTED IN POULTRY BARN DURING FAIR WEEK.
Health Requirements: See rules above and Health Rules (Poultry: Section 13)
1. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean Testing and Verification.
2. Tested Avian influenza Clean (a negative test within thirty (30) days of exhibition date).
3. Recommended vaccination for Laryngotracheitis.
As part of the PDA Poultry Exhibition Quarantine, only market poultry is allowed at the Fair. NO breed poultry or poultry products may be exhibited within an active HPAI Control Area or Surveillance Zone. These areas or zones can pop up when a flock tests positive for HPAI at any time. This means that market poultry exhibition can be canceled at a moment’s notice for an indefinite amount of time until the control area and/or surveillance zone is cleared. Please proceed with this in mind and have a plan ready should this occur. Please read all information. Also, the Fairs in Pa have elected not to allow eggs and feathers for exhibition (this includes feathers in crafts)
Meat poultry ONLY – birds must move to a USDA or PA Dept. of Agriculture licensed slaughter facility after judging, which is arranged and completed by the poultry committee. This is a terminal show with an all-in, all-out procedure where NO birds may return home.
• Meat poultry is a terminal show and must be on and off the grounds within 72 hours, starting from when the first meat poultry arrives until the last one leaves. Meat poultry may NOT stay on the grounds for longer than 72 hours and will be delivered to an approved processing facility by the committee. Exhibitors not making the sale will receive the buyback price.
• Exhibition of poultry shall require a PDA issued “Owner Endorsed Avian Health Certificate and Biosecurity Statement” (provided on the Department’s website). If a CVI is required for entry by the fair, an endorsement of biosecurity on the “Owner Endorsed Avian Health Certificate and Biosecurity Statement” shall also accompany the poultry.
• All poultry must be monitored for signs of illness while on the grounds, however there is not a specific training for this like the Swine Health Monitor Training. Fairs are encouraged to refer to the Biosecurity Guidelines for Exhibition Managers.
• All poultry must be behind barriers with signage to prevent public interaction.
• All poultry must be confirmed free of HPAI prior to entry to the exhibition. This requires a negative HPAI test on record within 14 days of the exhibition.
*Test samples must be collected by a Certified Poultry Technician or a Category II Accredited Veterinarian and processed at a National Animal Health Laboratory Network lab (this includes all 3 PADLS labs).
* If exhibitor tested using an alternate licensed poultry technician, negative test results must accompany the poultry to check-ins. If exhibiter was tested by the poultry committee, then the committee will have the test results at the fair.
* No new poultry may be added into a clean tested flock from the time it was tested until transported into the show.
* Additional details on testing requirements can be found on pages 5-6 of the Quarantine Order and MUST be followed.
IMPORTANT REMINDER:
• NO market poultry or poultry products may be exhibited within an active HPAI Control Area or Surveillance Zone. These areas or zones can pop up when a flock tests positive for HPAI at any time.
• This means that market poultry and poultry product exhibition can be canceled at a moment’s notice for an indefinite amount of time until the control area and/or surveillance zone is cleared. Please proceed with this in mind and have a plan ready should this occur.

Department 10 - Section 08A - Market Poultry

1. For turkeys, orders will be taken by February 1st, with a maximum order amount of 2 turkey poults per exhibitor. Turkeys will arrive around late March to early April. For the meat chickens, orders for chicks will be taken by April 1st and meat chickens will arrive around Memorial Day. Each exhibitor will raise the same variety of poults and chicks over the same period of time. There is no limit to the number of meat chicks you can order. Orders for turkeys and meat chicks can be placed by contacting the poultry superintendent before the deadline at 814-330-7594.
2. Each turkey exhibitor is limited to (1) entry of 1 turkey. Each meat chicken exhibitor is limited to one (1) entry of two (2) meat chickens, which will be judged as a pair.
3. Winners from each division will be judged for overall Grand and Reserve champion.
4. Chicken show will begin on Monday at 9am. Turkey show will begin on Friday at 8:30am in the show arena.
5. The top 2 pairs in each meat chicken division will qualify to sell thru the sale on Saturday (total of 6 pairs). The exhibitors must be present to enter the sale ring with their chickens. It is encouraged for the exhibitor to make contact with their buyers to express their gratitude. Any meat chicken exhibitors not qualifying for the sale and all turkey exhibitors will be paid the buyback price, immediately following the poultry show. Please note, the buyback price for turkeys and chickens may be different.
CLASS: $4 $3 $2 $1
00 Market Chicken
(Meat poultry will be placed into groups below after weigh-ins)
Market Chicken - Lightweight
Market Chicken - Middleweight
Market Chicken - Heavyweight
Grand Champion Pair - rosette & $15, Reserve Grand Pair - rosette & $10

CLASS: $4 $3 $2 $1
01 Market Turkey
(Meat poultry will be placed into groups below after weigh-ins)
Market Turkey - Lightweight
Market Turkey - Middleweight
Market Turkey - Heavyweight
Grand Champion - rosette & $15, Reserve Grand - rosette & $10

Department 10 - Poultry Showmanship

Immediately following Market Poultry shows
1. Everyone participating in showmanship will receive $4 and a placing ribbon.
2. 4-H & FFA members must be showing in the Meat Poultry Show for eligibility in Showmanship classes.
3. Exhibitors will be judged on their ability to handle and examine poultry, the exhibitor's knowledge of poultry, appearance and actions. Knowledge tested will be age appropriate and consists of questions related to breeds, classes and standard care and management of poultry. An example score sheet can be found in the Scratching the Surface Level 1 4-H project book.
4. Showmanship will follow their respected market shows.
5. Pee-Wee showmanship class sign-up is by 9 am on show days. Pee-Wee exhibitor must be accompanied by a poultry exhibitor.

Department 10 - Section 08B - Chicken Showmanship

CLASS: $4
01 Beginner (First Year), ages 8-10
02 Junior Showman, ages 11-13

03 Intermediate Showman, ages 14-16
04 Senior Showman, ages 17 & over

Department 10 - Section 08C - Turkey Showmanship

CLASS: $4
05 Beginner (First Year), ages 8-10
06 Junior Showman, ages 11-13

07 Intermediate Showman, ages 14-16
08 Senior Showman, ages 17 & over

Department 10 - Section 08D - Youth Poultry Skillathon

Monday
1. This contest is for 4-H and FFA members carrying poultry projects this year.
2. Register at the poultry barn before the event.
3. Prizes awarded.
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