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As It Happens

Live bird ban leads Indiana state fair to feature toy chickens instead

Due to fears of a spreading avian flu, the state of Indiana has put a stop to all live bird shows. But that hasn't stopped the Elkhart County 4-H Poultry Club from putting on a show -- it's using plush toy chickens instead.
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Elkhart County 4-H Poultry Club organizer Valerie Jacobs and the plush, stuffed toy chickens being used in their fair competitions. (Courtesy of Valerie Jacobs)

Normally, the poultry events are the highlight of the annual Elkhart County, Indiana 4-H Fair. But this year, due to fears surrounding a record outbreak of avian flu, the state of Indiana has put a stop to all live bird shows.

But that hasn't stopped the Elkhart County 4-H Poultry Club from putting on a show — the club has decided to use stuffed, plush toy chickens instead.

"Instead of just having [the kids] stand there empty-handed, we're going to give them these stuffed chickens," explains Valerie Jacobs, poultry club organizer, to As It Happens co-host Carol Off.

Last year's Elkhard County 4-H Fair poultry club showmanship contest. (Courtesy of Valerie Jacobs)

"We have the showmanship competition and that is all based on how the child reacts to the bird and their knowledge of the bird... They would still tell their breed and all of that stuff that they normally would do. They just have a prop this year instead of the live bird."

Their chicken fly off event will also go on — with rubber chickens.

"Normally what would happen is that I would go up on a six-foot perch... and then I put the bird in the perch and we encourage them to fly out. 

"Since we can't do that, we're going to modify that and go the Angry Birds route... we're gonna have a slingshot... and we're gonna see who can fly their [rubber chickens] the farthest."

The Elkhart County 4-H Fair takes place from July 24 to August 1st.

From our archives

Back in June 2011, there was a similar situation in Farmington, Utah.

An outbreak of equine herpes nearly felled the Davis County Sheriff's Mounted Posse Jr. Queen Contest. But, despite the horses being quarantined, the organizing posse circled its wagons, and drew up a plan. They would use stick toy horses instead of live ones.

"All the girls seemed to have a lot of fun with it," event organizer Kim Jensen told As It Happens host Carol Off. "They made the best of it, no one complained. I think everyone had a really good time."

Baylee LaFleur took the title of First Princess in the competition. 

"I thought it was kind of easier not to have so much to worry about," she says. "When you're riding a real horse, you have to worry about your posture and how your feet are positioned."

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