COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A year after bird flu forced fairs across Iowa to cancel poultry shows, the competitions are returning this summer.
The 4-H members who raise chickens are glad they should have a chance to show them at this year’s fair, The Daily Nonpareil reports.
Organizers banned live poultry at fairs a year ago because of the bird flu outbreak that ravaged the industry. No new cases of bird flu have been reported in Iowa since June 2015.
Kerri Wede with the East Pottawattamie County Extension office says the ban was “heartbreaking for the kids.” But they adapted.
Last year, some fairs held egg judging contests and some had students give presentations about their chickens. Organizers are looking forward to returning to normal this year.