NEW ORLEANS (AP) – The South is the heart of U.S. broiler chicken production and escaped the deadly bird flu virus that devastated flocks in the Midwest this spring. Autumn, however, brings the possibility that migrating wild birds will carry the virus to the lower half of the U.S.
To try to keep bird flu at arm’s length, a number of states are barring or limiting poultry shows and public sales, including those at state fairs in September and October – something their northern neighbors did this summer. That’s forcing kids who’ve worked for months to raise and qualify poultry at fairs to get creative with their exhibits.
“We want to be cautious because our industry is so huge,” Mississippi State University Extension Service poultry science instructor Jessica Wells said of the state, which is the No. 5 broiler producer in the U.S.
The Mississippi State Fair added flu test requirements for its open poultry show, but 4-H organizers reorganized their state contests to have photo boards, record books and a one-bird-per-contestant showmanship event rather than risk last-minute cancellation, state veterinarian Dr. Jim Watson said.
The change has 14-year-old Keri Moore, who placed first in two categories at a Mississippi county fair, working on her photo board. She said she wanted to bring her six competitive chickens, but is glad to “still bring one for showmanship.”