Thirty kids showed up to a 4-H poultry clinic earlier this month in Thurston County.

Kristin Nelson, the county's 4-H poultry superintendent, expects more than 160 birds at this year's County Fair. For the first time, pheasant and quail will join the lineup alongside chickens, ducks, pigeons, and geese.

The growth has been building for six years. Nelson traces it to the pandemic and avian flu outbreaks that drove families to raise backyard chickens.

"We've seen so many new families who got their first couple of chickens in the last six years and fell in love with them," Nelson said. "Now their kids love them too."

The project has grown so much that chicken and turkey showmanship has been moved out of the barn and onto the Food Court Stage for 2026, according to the official fair schedule.

That showmanship event runs Friday, July 31, from 9 a.m. to noon. Poultry type judging fills all day Thursday, July 30, starting at 9 a.m. at Petersen Barn, followed by the 4-H Poultry Knowledge Bowl from 2 to 3 p.m.

Nelson calls poultry the best introduction to 4-H animal projects. Kids as young as 5 can participate as clover buds, and the birds require less space and money than larger livestock. Many city ordinances allow chickens, so families don't need a farm to get started.

Among the young exhibitors: Tyrinn Platter, 12, a member of the T90 Herdsmen 4-H Club, will show chickens, quail, and pheasants, including a Lady Amherst pheasant.

His sister Ilyza, 10, plans to bring her duck and do showmanship with her pigeon, Sebastian. Their mother, Jessy Platter, serves as assistant poultry superintendent and leads the T90 Herdsmen club.

Owen Spruiell, 8, is looking forward to showing his silkie chicken named Splat. His brother Everett, 11, said the program taught him how to give public presentations and handle disappointment when animals don't cooperate.

New events this year include a turkey calling contest where kids test homemade calls, according to organizers. The bird costume contest returns; last year's celebrity judge was Sheriff Sanders, according to ThurstonTalk.

During the fair, 4-H members will give presentations in the poultry barn and answer questions from the public about their birds.

If you go

The 2026 Thurston County Fair runs Thursday, July 30, through Sunday, August 2, at the Thurston County Fairgrounds, 3054 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey.

Hours: 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Sunday.

Admission: Adults $9; seniors (over 60) $8; youth ages 6–14 $7; children 5 and under free. Parking $7. Thrifty Thursday offers $1 admission with a non-perishable food donation benefiting the Thurston County Food Bank.

Families interested in enrolling children in 4-H can talk to members at the fair. New enrollment begins in October.