Superintendent:
Jake Cook
203-530-4721
CookLJake@gmail.com
Assistant Superintendent:
Heddy Porto
Mail Entries to:
Jake Cook
Attn Poultry
2 Blue Hills Road
Higganum, CT 06441
DUE TO STATE RESTRICTIONS WATERFOWL ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE SHOWN IN THE 2026 FAIR SEASON
- Accepted between September 1 – October 1 or when cages are full
- Accepted only in classes listed and in order of arrival to caging capacity
- Entry fee of $1.00 per bird must be mailed with the entry form
- All birds must be banded and tested for Pullorum; Photocopies of test results must accompany entry; No entries will be accepted without the appropriate documentation
- The exhibit will be closed to the public while judging is in progress; Connecticut rules governing exhibitions of live poultry will be enforced
- Only birds of five months and older
- Connecticut rules governing exhibitions of live poultry will be enforced. Poultry originating within the state must come from healthy flocks with no evidence of contagious or infectious disease. All cages and crates must be cleaned and disinfected after each show. Poultry vaccinated within 30 days with a live virus vaccine will be prohibited from showing. Out of state poultry must test negative for pullorum within 12 months prior to their first show date and be accompanied by such certification provided prior to cooping. In addition, all poultry must comply with the Department of Agriculture Avian Influenza requirements by originating from A-1 Free flocks or be tested by A-I within 30 days of entry and have certification of such. No poultry from areas of any state having Avian Influenza may enter Connecticut. All birds must be tested and tagged in order to be entered. For the safety and health of all entrants, the superintendent will refuse birds deemed sick, infected or abnormal entry. Only healthy, non-molting birds will be shown.
- All exhibitors must pay admission at the gate.
- Tags will be placed on cages for receipt of entries on Friday afternoon from 12:00 – 3:00 pm. Animals not penned by 3:00 pm on Friday will not be judged or awarded premiums or prizes.
- All entries must remain in place until 6:00 pm on Sunday. Any animals removed before this time will result in the forfeit of all money awarded.
- There will be two divisions, Open and Junior. Juniors must be 16 years of age or younger. Same prize money and ribbons will prevail.
- Judging starts promptly at 9:oo am Saturday. All entries will be judged by the Danish System. The Rabbit and Poultry area will be closed to the public while judging is in progress. Showmanship judged Saturday at 11:00 am (Subject to change, see website or Superintendent for details).
- All entries must be identified by Type (Standard Fowl, Bantam, Game, Waterfowl and Pigeon) by breed and by Variety (such as Barred Plymouth Rock, etc.) and Class (Cock, Hen, Pullet, Cockerel). Superintendent reserves the right to refuse any entry that has not been correctly identified on entry form. Birds will be judged by the Standard of Perfection.
- Feed, water and bedding will be provided by committee. An entry fee of $1.00 will be charged each bird and the exhibitor must pay admission at the gate. No entry fee for egg entries.
- Entry limit of 40 birds per farm or family without approval of the superintendent.
- If exhibitors wish to sell stock, they must be present at the time of the sale and make the necessary arrangements with the purchaser for the removal at the proper time. No stock may be removed before Sunday at 6:00 pm. Only animals entered may be sold. Signs shall be no larger than 3” x 5”.
- Junior exhibitors must be present to coop-in their birds on Friday and coop-out on Sunday.
- All vehicles need to be off the fairgrounds by 3:00 pm Friday.
Class 1: Showmanship
All Junior poultry exhibitors are strongly encouraged to compete. A poultry entry is not required (Junior livestock exhibitors can show a friend’s bird). Classes will be broken down by age depending on number of entrants.
25201: Novice (never shown before)
25202: Intermediate (shown 1 or 2 times)
25203: Advanced (shown 3 or more times)
Class 2: Dozen Eggs in a Carton
Please note color and size
26001: Bantam
26002: Largefowl
Class 3: Breed Classes
Breed Classes – Age 17 and over
25001: Largefowl – Cock
25002: Largefowl – Hen
25003: Largefowl – Pullet
25004: Largefowl – Cockerel
25010: Bantam – Cock
25011: Bantam – Hen
25012: Bantam – Pullet
25013: Bantam – Cockerel
25030: Game – Cock
25031: Game – Hen
25032: Game – Pullet
25033: Game – Cockerel
25040: Pigeon – Cock
25041: Pigeon – Hen
25042: Pigeon – Pullet
25043: Pigeon – Cockerel
25050: Waterfowl – Cock
25051: Waterfowl – Hen
25052: Waterfowl – Pullet
25053: Waterfowl – Cockerel
Breed Classes Junior – Age under 17
25101: Largefowl – Cock
25102: Largefowl – Hen
25103: Largefowl – Pullet
25104: Largefowl – Cockerel
25120: Bantam – Cock
25121: Bantam – Hen
25212: Bantam – Pullet
25123: Bantam – Cockerel
25130: Game – Cock
25131: Game – Hen
25132: Game – Pullet
25133: Game – Cockerel
25140: Pigeon – Cock
25141: Pigeon – Hen
25142: Pigeon – Pullet
25143: Pigeon – Cockerel
25150: Waterfowl – Cock
25151: Waterfowl – Hen
25152: Waterfowl – Pullet
25153: Waterfowl – Cockerel
Class 4: Educational Display
21001: Educational Display – Create a display that will educate fair visitors about your animals. Posters must be hung by exhibitor at check in.
Class 5: Art Drawing
21002: Art Drawing – Submit an 8.5″x11″ drawing of your bird (frame not required)
Prizes will be awarded for both Open and Junior divisions.
Premiums:
- 1st $7.00
- 2nd $6.00
- 3rd $5.00
Ribbons and Trophies:
Rosettes:
- Junior Showmanship
- Champion and Reserve Champion Junior | Large Fowl, Bantam, Waterfowl, Turkey & Gamebird
- Champion and Reserve Champion | Large Fowl, Bantam, Waterfowl, Turkey & Gamebird
- Educational Poster – top 5 winners
- Art Drawing – top 5 winners
Trophies:
- Best in Show Open
- Reserve Best In Show Open
- Best in Show Junior
- Reserve Best in Show in Show Junior
Dozen Eggs in a Carten
- Rosette – Best in Show
- 1st Ribbon
- 2nd Ribbon
- 3rd Ribbon
$25 Gamebird prize is donated by Nancy and Walter Squier