i have a few hatchery chicks and i thought it might be fun to show them at a small fair. they are not vaccinated for anything so does that mean they can not enter? when you show them do they have to stay over night?
At our fairs here, they have to stay all week. That's one of the reasons we don't show at fairs. You likely CAN enter them at a fair without vaccines, though whether or not you SHOULD is a seperate issue. So, you have to ask yourself that if you are doing it "just for fun" showing hatchery chickens (with whom it would be a small miracle to win with) and they contract something (namely Mareks) is it worth it to you to lose your entire flock to some horrible disease which will then be on your property, and could infect future chickens?
I show, and do not vaccinate. Sometimes shows are day shows, 2 day shows, or a fair which is usually a week or so. Birds dont need to be vaccinated to show, but you will need to be either NPIP certified, or have the individual birds tested for pullorum typhoid.
the first step for you would be to get a copy of the rules for the show that you want to attend. Read them over and you will find all the testing requirements for the birds, as well as , a list of the classes at the show. You should also find check in dates and any other important show information along with someone to contact for more information, the show superintendant. Read the rules and class descriptions carefully and then You can decide which class or classes your birds would show at their best, with age and breed taken into consideration. Most fairs and all open shows have blood testing requirements. Some test birds the day of the show while others require you to have them tested yourself and supply the paperwork when you check your birds in on the day of the show. The show rules or superintendant will clear that up for you.
