By Blake Jackson
The 2025 Pennsylvania Farm Show will see the return of some poultry events after a two-year hiatus caused by the avian influenza outbreak. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, competitions featuring ornamental eggs, feathers, and market poultry, including chickens and ducks, will be held once again. Market poultry refers to birds that are judged and then slaughtered.
The Farm Show, taking place from January 4-11 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg, will carry the theme "Powering Pennsylvania." Poultry judging is scheduled for January 4. Additionally, visitors will be able to enjoy the return of the duck pond exhibit, where they can watch ducks swim from an underwater perspective. However, the baby chick-hatching exhibit’s return remains uncertain, according to Department of Agriculture spokesperson Shannon Powers.
A new feature this year is a youth turkey showmanship competition, which will showcase market turkeys that will be included in the Junior Market Livestock Sale.
Despite some poultry events returning, not all poultry activities will be fully reinstated. To prevent the spread of avian influenza, which threatens the state’s $7.1 billion poultry industry, some poultry classes will only feature photos. The avian flu, a deadly and highly contagious disease among birds, has severely impacted poultry populations across the country. While no cases have been reported in Pennsylvania, the state continues to take measures to protect its poultry industry.
Past attractions, like the baby duck slide, have not returned since 2019.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-wikoski
Categories: Pennsylvania, Business, Livestock, Poultry