http://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?a=1367&q=259102
State Vet Mary Lis (860)713-2504 Be prepared to play phone tag several times and her finally calling back at 7am.
We have our appointment with the vet (they come to your house) at 6:30 tomorrow morning. I was told it was $1 per bird and that it is a quick throat swab and blood draw.
If you are not a 4Her..and since this is not a 4H fair... most likely it will just be exhibition, not showmanship.
The downside to showing is the possibility that someone has a sick bird and that gets passed to yours. I suppose if you really want to be paranoid, you could imagine other exhibitors sabatoging your bird or fairgoers poking at it. There is also the time it takes to get your bird ready for exhibition, the expense of obtaining and raising show-quality chickens.
We are going to be showing/exhibiting for the first time at the Southern New England 4H Poultry Show on April 2 at UCONN. (for 4Hers only). Feel free to stop by and just see whatzup and cheer on our kids. My special needs daughter will be showing her Welsummer. We are also taking an Easter Egger for the Production Class and a dozen Wellie eggs. I am planning to sign us up for more fairs over the summer, too.
I say "go for it!" What breed(s) will you be taking?
Edited to add: State Vet was just here. It took 1/2 an hour to do six birds. Mine are all in a 12x12 run and are pretty easy to catch, so that made it go faster. Be prepared to have blood splattered on whatever you are wearing.
You don't have to have money on hand.. apparently the State Dept of Ag will send you a bill. Results take about 1-2 weeks to come back, so plan accordingly. The test is good for one year.