"Oh, lots of sad faces, 'My chickens, I can't bring my chickens in.'"
Oelke, who is in charge of the poultry exhibit at the Sherburne County
Fair, was determined project participants would still get a fair
experience.
So several cages contain member's stuffed chickens, ducks and turkeys to
represent the birds that couldn't come to the fair.
Last year, chickens alone filled more than half a barn at the Sherburne County fair, more than 200 cages. Oelke says it was important "to symbolize that they still have a presence here at the fair." The state Board of Animal Health announced the ban on live bird shows back in March, an effort to halt the spread of avian flu.
Jim Hermel, vice president of the Minnesota Federation of County Fairs,
says many fairs are trying to come up with substitute activities to keep
poultry project members involved in their fairs, "by making up
different types of educational displays."
Hermel is confident the poultry bans will not hurt county fair
attendance.
In Sherburne County, poultry judges will evaluate pictures and video of
poultry, with stuffed toy birds serving as stand-ins for the handling
part of the judging.
Last year, chickens alone filled more than half a barn at the Sherburne County fair, more than 200 cages. Oelke says it was important "to symbolize that they still have a presence here at the fair." The state Board of Animal Health announced the ban on live bird shows back in March, an effort to halt the spread of avian flu.
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