Poultry Committee

Committee Members

Matthew Steimann | 715-321-2021 | mpsteimann@yahoo.com

(Market Poultry): John Galen | (715)743-4943 | bovine1956@gmail.com

Pullorum Testing Dates for 2026 are scheduled

Location	Date & Time
Neillsville ( Fairgrounds)	Thursday, July 2nd | 6:00 PM
Greenwood (Missionary Baptist Church)	Friday, July 10th | 6:00 PM

What is pullorum disease and why do I need to have my birds tested?

pullorum disease of chickens is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella pullorum. Pullorum is almost exclusively a septicemic disease of young chickens. But may also be associated with disease in turkey poults and may be carried sub clinically or lead to reduced egg production and hatchability, plus a range of atypical signs in older birds.

Poultry Educational Clinic

Thursday, July 2nd | 6:00 PM During pullorum testing | Fairgrounds (Neillsville) | Focusing on Showmanship

Preparing for the fair (Non Market Poultry)

• Premises ID—This is needed when you register for the fair as well as when your birds are Pullorum tested.
• Pullorum Typhoid Testing—All exhibition birds need to be tested for Pullorum Typhoid within 90 days of the fair (or come from an NPIP or Wisconsin Tested Flock). Birds must be 4 months old to test. The county will provide two testing dates in July. If tested independently, make sure to bring a copy of your paperwork to the fair.
• Birds are judged based on their breed. If you need help identifying your bird’s breed, please reach out to one of the committee members.

At the fair with your show bird

• Cages, Bedding, and feed will be provided.
• Exhibitors are expected to bring their own feed and water containers. These must be able to be fastened to the cage.
• Birds are expected to come to the fair clean and lice/mite free. We recommend that you inspect your birds for bugs and treat them several weeks prior to the fair.
• Plan on checking on your birds and making sure they have water several times throughout each day at the fair. Also plan on keeping your cage(s) clean.

How will Showmanship work?

• Showmanship is usually done one on one with the judge. Each exhibitor will meet with the judge for approximately 5 minutes during which time they will show the judge that they know how to appropriately handle their bird and answer questions both about their bird, their bird’s breed, and poultry in general.
• During the regular show, exhibitors should be ready to bring each of their birds up to the table for the judge to inspect.

Market Poultry Information

• Premises ID—This is needed when you register for the fair.
• Your official hatchery receipt that shows both the hatcheries NPIP number and the date which your birds were hatched
• A Drug History form showing any drugs that your birds were treated with including any medicated feed used during the first weeks of their life.

Drug History Form (word)

Drug History Form (PDF)

At the Fair with your Market Bird:

• Cages, Bedding, and feed will be provided.
• Exhibitors are expected to bring their own feed and water containers. These must be able to be fastened to the cage.
• Birds are expected to come to the fair clean. It is also your responsibility to keep both them and their cages clean throughout the fair week.
• If selling a bird on the market sale, it is your responsibility to contact your buyer and make sure the superintendent knows where the bird is to be sent for processing.