You will be able to see chickens, ducks, turkeys, and other poultry at this year’s county fairs. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection recently lifted the state order prohibiting live events featuring poultry. DATCP placed the order back in April after domestic flocks across the state started to become infected with the highly pathogenic avian flu. Since March, close to two dozen domestic flocks in 14 Wisconsin had animals infected with the bird-flu. The order forced the Door County 4-H Small Animal Swap in April go without birds and left some youth wondering if they would be able to show poultry at their respective fairs. Kewaunee County Poultry Project Advisor Deb Ahrens told the kids on Monday that they would be able to participate in the fair with their animals, marking a third straight year of uncertainty for the families involved. That does not mean the kids were taking it easy with the preparations, even if they did not use real birds for their small group workshops.

Ahrens says she is looking to the state for guidance on how to make next month’s Kewaunee County Fair safe for the animals, exhibitors, and visitors. DATCP recommends poultry farmers make sure they continue practicing strong biosecurity measures like cleaning and disinfecting, restricting access by visitors and wild birds, and wearing separate shoes and clothes while around flocks.