Poultry, Pigeon and Rabbits – Department F

Verne Leininger, Amanda Leininger

Rules and Regulations

• All birds must be tested for pullorum-typhoid before they are entered for the fair. A list of local lay testers may be obtained by calling Verne Leininger (540-896-7584).
• Poultry in the show may be tested by the state veterinary lab for other diseases during the fair.
• All poultry, pigeons, rabbits and guinea pigs must be preregistered at least one week before the fair by calling Verne Leininger (540-896-7584) or by email at vleining@bridgewater.edu.
• Eggs do not have to be preregistered.
• An exhibitor must be able to identify the breed and sex of their entry.
• Pigeons will be separated into classes and judged by breed and/or variety even through the breeds are not listed in the fair catalog.
• In the Poultry, Pigeon and Rabbit Departments, there is no entry fee and all animals are watered and fed daily at no charge.
• Persons showing in the Junior classes must be at least 6 years old and no older than 18 at the start of the fair. All ages may show in the open show. No exhibitor may show in both the Junior Show and the Open Show.
• A sweepstakes ribbon will be given in the Open Poultry Show and the Junior Poultry Show.
• No sweepstakes ribbon will be given in the Rabbit Show.
• A Best in Show rosette will be given in the Open and Junior Rabbit Show and in the Open and Junior Poultry Show.
• Every precaution will be taken to protect exhibits in the department; however, neither the Committee nor the Rockingham County Fair Association will be responsible for sickness, loss, or theft of exhibit.
• Entries will be received Sunday, August 11, 2024, between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Monday, August 12, between 8 a.m. and Noon.
• No Peacocks will be accepted.

Showmanship

Showmanship is open to any youth between the ages of 6 and 18. If the showman is not a poultry exhibitor, they will be allowed to choose a bird from set of birds to use for showmanship. No untested birds are allowed in the building. Showmanship will take place at 1 pm on Monday, August 12.Exhibitors may sign up for showmanship when they preregister their birds, when they enter their birds in the fair, or by stopping by the front table in the poultry building before 1 pm on Monday, August 12, 2024.

Showmanship is judged on the ability to correctly handle a bird and information about poultry including breeds and varieties, care of a bird, parts of a bird, diseases, show classes, and differences in different types of birds.

Rabbit Showmanship will be held on Tuesday, August 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the G&M Hoop Barn.