Introduction

Why are quality health checks important? The first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. 

There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Some diseases can be spread between animals of different species whereas some diseases can only be spread within animals of the same species. 

Zoonotic diseases are those that can be transmitted between animals and people, and are a considerable health risk for event visitors and exhibitors alike (Conrad et al., 2017). Therefore, certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people.  

This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for poultry. In addition, prior to attending an animal exhibition or event, exhibitors can use this resource to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation. 

Per the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, "…all animals and poultry entered at fairs and shows must be in good health and in proper physical condition and will be examined at the exhibition by the barn superintendent. Evidence of poor condition or infectious or contagious disease or failure to produce the necessary documents for health certification, vaccination or testing will result in ejection." (2025, p. 1). 

Certain conditions and observations noted within this fact sheet may not pose a significant public or animal health risk. In such cases, decisions regarding an animal's eligibility for exhibition should be made in consultation with event leadership and/or the on-call veterinarian.

Getting started 

Health checks should be completed right outside the vehicle used for transportation. Do not permit the animal to be walked through the fairgrounds, barns, or venue before confirming its health status; an unhealthy animal can spread disease during this commute. 

Wear gloves and change them in between groups of animals and after evaluating an animal with a suspected or confirmed health concern. Follow any additional policies advanced by fair or event leadership and your state’s Department of Agriculture. 

Identification

Poultry should comply with all state animal health regulations. In Connecticut, that includes permanent identification of a leg band and appropriate negative blood test for Salmonella pullorum testing (Connecticut Department of Agriculture, 2025). Learn more about required testing.

General appearance 

Poultry should exhibit an alert appearance and be responsive to the environment around them. A bird that is not carrying its head upright or not responsive to the environment should not be admitted into an event. 

The exterior of the bird should be free from abscesses (accumulation of pus), infections, external parasites, open wounds, and feather loss. Lice can scatter when they encounter light or appear as clusters on the base of feather shafts. Fowl mites may appear like dirt and skin lesions (infected sores). 

Birds should appear with bright plumage. Broken and dull feathers can be a sign of illness. The bird should be at an appropriate body condition for its age, sex, reproductive status, and physiological state (i.e., growing, maintenance) (PoultryDVM.com, 2024). The bird should be free of signs of neurological disease such as head tilt.

Nostrils, eyes, comb, wattles and beak

Nostrils should be free of discharge or blockage, and the mouth should be free from lesions, growths, and abnormalities. The comb and wattle should be examined for black scab or spots that could be a sign of parasites. The bird should be free of respiratory infection, including distress when breathing, breathing irregularities, or coughing. The animal’s eyes should open freely and be free of infection, inflammation, or discharge. 

Vent

The vent is a common area where poultry lice and fowl mites live. A visual inspection should be performed to be sure birds are free of external parasites in this area. It is also important to check for signs of excessive crusty manure, any indication of disease such as inflammation, open wounds, prolapse (protrusion of tissue), or abnormal discharge.

Feet and legs

The bird should bear weight evenly on both legs and not display any signs of broken/injuries. The foot pad should be free from inflammation, scabs, redness and discoloration which could be signs of bumblefoot (a bacterial infection that impacts the bottom of the animal’s foot). Leg scales should not be lifted, uneven or thickened, as this may indicate scaly leg mites.

Safety Precautions When Performing Health Checks

Conducting animal health checks can expose you to physical and biological risks. Always take caution when working with and around animals that you are unfamiliar with. Ask the exhibitor to assist you while handling the animal, especially while checking challenging areas like feet and mouths. 

Wear clean gloves and change them between groups of exhibitors. Boots can also be disinfected in between assessments, particularly if you are boarding trailers to conduct checks. Alternatively, boot covers may be worn and changed between assessments. As a general rule, wear a pair of shoes that you dedicate to agricultural events and other off-farm activities, and disinfect them afterwards, so you do not track any contaminated material home with you. 

Consider changing your clothes after completing health checks, especially if clothing has been soiled by feces and fluid such as saliva, or if you do encounter an animal exhibiting signs of illness.   

What To Do if There Are Questions or Concerns Regarding an Animal’s Health

As an animal exhibition or event decision-maker, you have a responsibility to ensure that all animals exhibited are healthy and will not pose risks to other animals or people. If you do encounter an animal that is demonstrating one or more signs of illness, the animal should not be permitted to enter the grounds or to be exhibited and should be separated from other animals immediately. The diseases of concern are often contagious; it is possible that the entire flock should be sent home.  

Politely explain, in detail, why the animal cannot be allowed to participate, and recommend that the owner contact their veterinarian to address the issue. Animals that do not pass health checks should be returned home; they should not be allowed to stay in a trailer during the event. 

If you encounter difficulties communicating with the animal handler, or if they become hostile, ask an event organizer/leader for assistance. Although this conversation can be awkward and uncomfortable, it is necessary to keep people and animals healthy and safe. 

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express appreciation to members of the UConn Extension BE SAFE: Biosecurity Education to Safeguard Animals at Fairs and Events Team for assistance in conceptualizing this fact sheet. In addition to the authors, members of the BE SAFE Team include Jennifer Cushman, Maryann Fusco-Rollins, and Bonnie Burr.  The BE SAFE Project and this fact sheet are supported by Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement. Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement supports programs, projects and events that are intended to strengthen Northeast agriculture, commercial fishing and forest products. This program is a combined effort of Farm Credit East and CoBank.

Resources

Connecticut Department of Agriculture. (2025). 2025 Connecticut Fair and Show Requirements. https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/doag/state-vet/2025/2025-ct-fair-requirements-update-42525_final-rem.pdf?rev=0f42b47c4ef049a1a90922af5c2df570 

Conrad, C. C., Stanford, K., Narvaez-Bravo, C., Callaway, T., & McAllister, T. (2017). Farm Fairs and Petting Zoos: A Review of Animal Contact as a Source of Zoonotic Enteric Disease. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, 14(2), 59–73. https://doi.org/10.1089/fpd.2016.2185 

Lossie, G. & McDermott, T. (2019, February 19). Performing a Physical Exam on a Chicken. Ohio State University. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/vme-20 

Michigan State University Extension. (2019, July 30). Animal Check-In. https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/animal-check-in 

PoultryDVM.com. (2024, July 15). Giving Chickens Health Exams. https://www.poultrydvm.com/featured-infographic/how-to-give-your-chicken-a-health-exam