POULTRY DIVISION 2026
Entry Fee $30.00
SUPERINTENDENT: CHARLES TAYLOR
ASST. SUPERINTENDENT: Russell Thomas
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GENERAL RULES
1. Only wing banded birds purchased through the Harvest Festival Livestock Show are eligible to show. A minimum of 25 and a maximum of 75 birds may be ordered but must be in increments of 25 (25, 50, or 75) and will be distributed at random. Deadline to turn in poultry wing band numbers to the Poultry Superintendent will be no later than four (4) days after their distribution on Friday. After 11:59PM of the 4th day (Tuesday), all unregistered wing banded poultry will be ineligible for show. Registering wing band numbers does not enter birds in the show. Entry form(s) and a signed “Livestock Exhibition Policy” form must be submitted through the exhibitor’s CEA/AST by October 1.
Poultry may be owned by a family in two methods:
1) A family may order up to 75 birds and allow all household family eligible children to show from the same order of 75. Or 2), a family may order up to 75 birds for each eligible child and each child may only show from his/her registered birds.
The above ordering methods may not be combined in a family. All exhibitors showing as a family must have the same legal residence and the same legal guardian/parent and living in the same residence of record.
2. Birds must be owned, housed and cared for by the exhibitor for the entire feeding period prior to the show date as certified by the County Agent or Ag Science Teacher. Birds must be kept at a school owned facility or in a facility located at the exhibitor’s legal residence of record for the full duration of the feeding period. Any requested exception must be made to the Poultry Show superintendent and Harvest Festival Board President in writing 21 days in advance of taking possession of the birds by the exhibitor’s supervising CEA/AST. A decision will be issued in writing to the supervising CEA/AST of the exhibitor. Exhibitors not conforming to these rules will be disqualified from the poultry show.
3. An exhibitor or substitute must be present at judging time and owner of broilers or substitute that sell must be present at the auction. Each bird in the pen must have a holder to be judged.
4. Poultry will be a one day show. Exhibitors must provide their own containment for poultry prior to showing…there will be NO poultry cages. Poultry will go directly from the show ring to the truck. Only poultry registered by wing band to the exhibitor may be shown by the exhibitor.
5. All broilers will be checked-in/sifted starting 30 min. prior to scheduled show time. Entries lacking show quality, presence of breast blisters, mites, or disease must be removed at the request of the Superintendent.
6. Only Harvest Festival wing banded birds will be allowed to be shown. Wing bands will be checked at entry by the Superintendent. Wing bands must be attached to the bird at all times. If the bird isn’t banded at the time of judging, the entry will be disqualified and the next placing entry will be moved up in order.
7. Poultry Show is terminal. Once the judging is complete, the birds will be removed from the grounds by Harvest Festival representatives.
8. All classes will be judged by classification system (blue, red, white).
9. Only blue ribbon pens will be eligible for the sale regardless of number of pens or how few pens receive blue ribbons.
10. Each exhibitor may enter a maximum of two (2) pens and sell only one pen of broilers. The dropped pen will retain all awards and recognition. An alternate pen may be moved up into the vacated position at the discretion of the HF sale committee.
11. The Harvest Festival Sale Committee shall determine the actual number of pens in this division to be sold in the sale. Judging will be made on the basis of condition and market value and the poultry judge’s placing decision is final.
12. ALL EXHIBITORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEANING THEIR AREA AND EMPTYING SHAVINGS/FEATHERS INTO PROPER RECEPTACLES.
Poultry Showmanship Criteria
Showmanship will be judged during the poultry show. One showmanship award will be presented in the Broiler show and the top three (3) in showmanship receive “Top Hand” points. All entered exhibitors (Registered Poultry Pen Owners Only) will compete for 1 single showmanship award.
The poultry pen owner must be present (holding their own poultry pen) to be considered for showmanship (No substitute exhibitors are eligible for showmanship).
The award will be presented to the individual in that respective show that most closely meets the following criteria:
~ Exhibitor demonstrates competent skills in the presentation and handling of the bird(s).
~ Exhibitor is acutely aware of the judge and judging process (In the ring) at all times during the showing process.
~ Exhibitor demonstrates acceptable show ring etiquette and behavior.
~ Exhibitor presents poultry that has been well cared for and properly selected for show.
Eligibility For Award:
Broilers: Registered Exhibitor (owner) only, not holders helping.
Registered exhibitor (owner) will be identified by specific entry pen numbered badge. Probably by tag color.
In all instances, “exhibitor” refers to the registered owner of the poultry project.
SCHEDULE OF AWARDS:
PLACING – RIBBONS
GRAND CHAMPION – TROPHY BUCKLE
RESERVE CHAMPION – TROPHY BUCKLE
BROILER SHOWMANSHIP – TROPHY BUCKLE
Poultry Division Changes “At a Glance”
~ Poultry division will be Broilers only
~ Wing banded, straight-run birds will be purchased from Texas A&M
~ Birds will be picked-up and delivered same day at site/time TBD
~ Minimum of 25, maximum of 75 birds can be ordered (increments of 25) by individual or family
~ Birds delivered on Friday, wingband numbers for individual/family due by following Tuesday.
~ Exhibitors may enter a maximum of two (2) pens but only one (1) pen can sell
~ Pens will be three (3) best birds…either sex combined
