Poultry

 2026 Johnson County Fair Poultry 

Superintendent: Stephanie Denton

To Register for Butterball Turkey Chain use this link MUST SIGN UP BY APRIL 15,2026: https://forms.gle/A6cTcuAfZ1feVGpPA (You must still register the bird for the fair using the link below)

To Register use this link: https://forms.gle/HvJ2LBiWKuyAy96w9

General poultry rules:

  1. All exhibitors must take care of their animals during the duration of the Fair. Exhibitors must supply appropriate feed and water containers. If an exhibitor fails to provide timely and  sufficient feed and water to their poultry they will be given one warning and then may be removed from the fairgrounds. Fair personnel are not responsible for the care of the exhibitors animals.

Junior & Open Poultry

  1. Youth Eligibility: This division is limited to students who are bona fide members of a Johnson County, Arkansas 4-H Club or Johnson County, Arkansas FFA Chapter, and are in good standing. Youth Exhibitors may exhibit in this show no later than the fall after graduating from high school.
  • Youth can not show the same poultry in both Youth and Open or Barnyard shows.
  1. Open Show Eligibility: Exhibitors eligible for this show are only those who cannot show in their respective age groups in the Youth Show (4-H and FFA).
  2. Barnyard Show Eligibility: This is a special show for mixed-breed poultry and will be judged in a single “barnyard” poultry class. These are NOT eligible for the Best in Show award.  An award will be given for the Best Barnyard Poultry and the Reserve Best Barnyard Poultry. The Barnyard Poultry entries are NOT eligible for the Premium Auction.
  3. Poultry will be judged on Friday, August 14th, 2026. Exhibitors do not have to be present during judging.

CLASSES (Junior, Open, and Barnyard Shows)

  1. Cock (male bird over one year old)
  2. Hen (female bird over one year old)
  3. Cockerel (male bird under one year old)
  4. Pullet (female bird under one year old)

AWARDS

  1. Premiums will be awarded by the Johnson County Fair Association, and ribbons will be awarded.
  2. Youth and Open Poultry BEST IN SHOW and a RESERVE BEST IN SHOW will be awarded.
  3. Best Barnyard Poultry and the Reserve Best Barnyard Poultry will be awarded.
  4. Open Poultry and Barnyard Poultry are NOT eligible for Premium Auction.
  5. Youth Poultry Best in Show is eligible for the Premium Auction.
  6. Youth Poultry Reserve Best in Show is NOT eligible for Premium Auction.

4-H/FFA Poultry Chain

Pen of four (4) Pullets

Day-old pullets were placed with 4-H Club or FFA members in the county in the spring of this year. Each member agreed to feed and care for the pullets and return four (4) of the pullets to the county fair.

The group of 4-H pullets will be sold at auction to the general public on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. The money from the sale will be used to sponsor the program the following year.

The group of FFA pullets is the property of the FFA member.

***The 4-H Poultry Chain birds will be cared for by the Johnson County 4-H.***

  1. Poultry will be judged on Friday. Exhibitors do not have to be present during judging.
  2. The owners of 4-H pullets must be present during the auction sale on Saturday at 9:00 a.m.
  3. Premiums will be awarded by the Johnson County Fair Association, and ribbons will be awarded.
  4. Grand and Reserve Champion poultry chain chickens will be eligible for the premium auction and receive a sponsored prize.

Butterball Turkey Poult Program

  1. Exhibitors will receive a batch (10 poults in a batch)  from Butterball in the spring. (Families can split a batch)
  2. Feed for project will be provided by Butterball. An account will be set up at the Johnson County Coop.
  3. Each registered exhibitor will bring one bird to exhibit in the Johnson County Fair Poultry Exhibition. 
  4. Grand and Reserve Overall Turkeys will be eligible for the Premium Auction.