Jul 22, 2009 2 min read

Fairgoers should once again expect to see a barn full of poultry and rabbits at this year’s Fayette County Fair. “I think we’re going to be where we were last year. We lost a few older exhibitors but some new ones are coming on, so we expect 800 to 900 in the bird category,” said Ed Stanish Jr. of Uniontown, who is co-chairman of the poultry and rabbit departments with his brother, Steve Stanish of Lemont Furnace. Most of the exhibitors will be local but a few come from Washington County as well as Ohio and Maryland.

There are classes for bantams, standards, ducks, geese, guineas and turkeys.

Asked what the judges are looking for, Stanish said, “There’s about 50 breeds of chickens and each breed has its own standards.”

They pertain to such items as color, development and feather quality, so judges must be well prepared.

“We have certified judges coming in,” said Stanish, noting that rules are set by the American Poultry Association and American Bantam Association. “Jack Tickel is going to be our judge this year. He’s from Somerset County – a new kid on the block. He’s new to judging and this is a good opportunity.”

The department built new rabbit cages, which will be beneficial to larger rabbits such as the Flemish giant. The fair usually attracts a good number of rabbits of various breeds.

The Poultry Barn always draws a crowd of people to come to see the wide variety of animals, such as the Polish chicken, which has topknots of feathers on their heads.

“It’s amazing to people who think a chicken is just a chicken. They see all sizes and colors. The bantam is a big hit. They’re mature birds but so tiny. People get a kick out of them,” said Stanish.

There’s also fairgoers who look at the different breeds, remembering that their parents or grandparents or other relatives had them once upon a time.

The fair can be a revelation to youths who have only seen a Thanksgiving turkey on a plate. The Poultry Barn gives them an opportunity to see live turkeys.

“A lot of kids like ducks and geese, too,” said Stanish. “We have call ducks – miniature ducks – and they like to see that.”

Poultry and rabbit exhibits must be entered between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Aug. 1 and 2. Judging begins at 9 a.m. Aug. 4.