Poultry & Rabbit Show Registration

Poultry and Rabbits

Superintendents: Roxanne Rosier, Kaitlin VanHeusen

General Rules and Information for Exhibitors: The Poultry and Rabbit displays will be held in the new Poultry & Rabbit Barn.

Dates:

Check In: February 28, 2026 from 9:00AM-11:00 AM

Poultry Showmanship: February 28, 2026 at 2pm

Rabbit Judging: February 28, 2026 at 5pm- Exhibitor must be present

Poultry Judging: March 2, 2026

Check Out: March 7, 2026 at 10:00 PM

Rules:

1. The rabbit and poultry shows are “Open” shows where exhibitors are not required to be in any organization to enter.
2. All animals must be pre-registered using the registration form on the fair website. Animals will NOT be accepted for entry on the day of the show.
3. All changes and substitutions must be made by February 21, 2026. No changes will be accepted after this date for cage card purposes. 
4. All entries must be inspected and/or blood tested (poultry) before caging animals. NPIP-certified poultry will be inspected, and NPIP cards must be presented.  Any animals showing signs of illness or parasites will NOT be allowed to enter.
5. All poultry must be at least 6 months of age, and rabbits must be at least 3 months of age. 
6. All entries will be caged individually for judging. Please do not move cage cards, as each animal is assigned a specific cage per state requirements. 
7. Animals must remain in the cage at all times during the fair. 
8. Any exhibitor who removes their animals before check-out will forfeit their premium money and ribbon. 
9. Exhibitors are limited to 3 poultry and 3 rabbits per exhibitor. 
10.  All animals will be provided with feed at 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM.  If the exhibitor does not wish for their animal to be fed by the show committee, they will receive a card to place on their cages at check-in. The exhibitor will then be responsible for feeding their animals twice a day each day. Passes will NOT be provided.
11. All judges’ decisions are final. 
12. Padlocks may NOT be placed on cages.
13. BCFA is not liable for any entries left after 10 PM on Saturday, March 7th.
14. All carrying cages must be removed from the premises after check-in.
15. Does with litters will NOT be accepted. 
16. 6. The exhibitor assumes liability in case of death or injury of the poultry or rabbits. No official may be held liable for the loss of any poultry or rabbits.

Poultry Show:

1. Bird should be in good feather and good weight
2. Birds will be judged against the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection
3. Purebred birds are recommended, but crossbred birds are accepted
4. Poultry must be at least 6 months old.
5. Spurs on roosters should be blunted but not removed
6. Wing feathers should not be cut
7. It is recommended that all poultry have leg bands for identification purposes
8. Birds should not have dyed feathers
9. Grooming of birds should be completed at check-in on Saturday, Feb. 28 at check in
10. Birds may NOT be washed onsite
11. Exhibitors will not be allowed into the barn during judging

Rabbit Show

1. All rabbits must be groomed and ready to show before 5 pm on February 28, 2026. 
2. Exhibitors must bring rabbits to the show table when called for the show on Feb. 28. 
3. It is recommended but not required that all rabbits have tattoos for identification. 
4. Exhibitors must provide their own drinker bottles for their rabbits. 

Awards:

Grand Champion Poultry

Reserve Champion Poultry

Grand Champion Rabbit

Reserve Champion Rabbit

Blue Award- $3, Red Award $2, White Award $1

Awards will be given on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Photos will be taken of the Grand and Reserve 

Record Books

Record books may be required for 4-H and FFA members by the respective organizations and must be submitted to the organizations on the specified dates by those organizations. 

POULTRY SHOWMANSHIP

Rules:

1. Showmanship will be held Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 2 p.m. in the poultry area. Poultry must be tested and inspected by the Department of Agriculture State Inspector during check-in time of 9-11 AM.

2. Sick poultry or poultry showing signs of external parasites are not permitted.

3. Showmanship is open to Bradford and Union County youth exhibitors, 4-H or FFA members in good standing with their organizations.

4. Exhibitors must wear their show ring attire as designated by their organization—FFA official dress or 4-H dress. Closed-toe shoes are required. If not in an organization, a collared shirt and jeans are recommended.

5. Exhibitors must sign up on the registration form before the event.

6. The exhibitor assumes liability in case of death or injury of the poultry. No official may be held liable for the loss of any poultry.

7. Poultry not being entered into the fair show, and which are brought only for showmanship, must be removed from the fairgrounds following the event.

8. Awards will be given following the events.

9. Judges’ decisions are final.

10. Contact Bradford 4-H office or vanheusen.kaitlin@mybradford.us for more information or with any questions you may have.

Recommended Showmanship Resources:

https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/resources/pdfs/4-h_poultryshowingcurriculum_2018_final-web_(1).pdf

http://www.youthexhibitionpoultry.org/

https://www.amerpoultryassn.com

Age Divisions (As of September 1, 2025):

Pee-wee: 5-7 

Junior: 8-10

Intermediate: 11-13

 Senior: 14-18

Awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

Outline of Activity: Exhibitors will be expected to be able to coop, handle, present, and pose their bird. Questions will follow, including identification of parts, care, parasites and diseases, feeding, breeding, and breed characteristics or identification.

Rabbit and Poultry Poster Contest

1. Poster registration must be completed online with animal registration
2. Posters must be 20”x30” or 22”x28” standard size.  Posters may be any color.
3. Posters should include an educational topic based on poultry or rabbits.
   1. Exhibitor name and age should be on he back of the poster
   2. Content should be educational and informative
   3. Scoring is 50% content, 50% creativity
4. Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd posters for rabbits and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in poultry.
5. Posters will be submitted at check-in on February 28, 2026. 
6. Posters may become damaged and may not be returned, as they will be hung around the building