By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
For the first time in recent memory the Crawford County Fair will not have poultry on display; however the show will go on.
The Crawford Country Fair Board approved the recommendations made by the Poultry Committee on how to handle the poultry show events, 13 to 2, at their special meeting Wednesday night. The Ohio Department of Agriculture banned all poultry shows in the state on June 2 in the wake of one of the more serious outbreaks of the avian flu.
Currently 21 other states have cancelled their events. While no cases have been reported in Ohio, 44 million chickens and turkeys nationwide have died from the outbreak, with 29 million of the birds dying in Iowa alone.
Melinda Hoffman explained what some of the symptoms to look for with avian flu.
“The main symptom that separates avian flu other than similar respiratory diseases is sudden death. Large amounts of the population will just drop dead, and it can be over just a couple of days,” Hoffman said. “There can be sneezing, wheezing, and coughing, any of the normal cold-like symptoms, but sudden death is really what sets this apart.”
While there will be no birds allowed on the fairgrounds, the showmanship judging will go on at the Crawford County Fair, albeit with taxidermy stand-ins.
Those with poultry projects at the fair are required to have a display with educational materials on raising their projects. On show day showmanship will be judged with the stuffed animals, pictures, and diagrams.
Poultry will be still be sold in abstentia at the Junior Fair Livestock Sale. To be sold, there must be a proof of purchase of the birds. Those selling birds are required to do the processing of the meat through a state inspected facility.
With the cancellation of poultry events those with poultry projects who have either sold their bird prior to the show, or haven’t purchased one can still compete in the Skillathon, but won’t receive an A rating according to Crawford County 4-H Advisor Allison Cooper.
“The 4-H members can still complete their project in the Skillathon without a bird but won’t receive an A on the project,” Cooper said at the meeting.
Currently there are 70 broiler chicken projects, 14 roaster chicken projects, 14 turkey projects, and 10 duck projects signed up to take place at the Crawford County Fair.
Hoffman explained how to keep the birds from contracting the illness.
“The state is asking everyone to practice good bio-security. So basically you keep things clean. Don’t bring in new birds. Don’t bring in dirty equipment; make sure it is sanitized before it comes in,” Hoffman said. “They are looking at vehicles as possibly being a transport; specifically keeping tires clean, and disinfected with something that will kill a virus. Prevent populations of wild birds into the facilities where you keep your birds. The type of thing they are really looking at is just controlling your flock and keeping things out.”
The ODA will re-evaluate the situation on poultry shows in January.
For more information, those with questions should contact Melinda Hoffman at 740-252-0801.