2026-01-13: Avian Science Notes, January 2026

State Avian Bowl Qualifier for 2026 & Poultry Showmanship at Fresno

      Parents, 4-Hers, and poultry are back on the road, heading to poultry shows.     Some of you may have already enjoyed a post-ban show.    Word is that the Gold Coast Poultry Fanciers got the California show circuit off to a great start.

       The 2026 Avian Bowl State Qualifier will be held in conjunction with the Greater California Society of Poultry Fanciers’ (GSCF) Show on Feb. 21, 2026.  All Youth Program activities, including Poultry Showmanship, Biosecuity information, and Avian Bowl competitions will be in the Gem and Mineral Bldg, Big Fresno Fairgrounds, Fresno. 

      Do not wait, mark your calendars with STARTING TIMES.    Carefully note the REGISTRATION RULES.

Showmanship - you must register in advance (you do this with your other GCSPF Poultry Show entries) AND sign-in with staff in the Gem and Mineral Building between 7:30 and 8:15 AM.

      Assisting me with Showmanship this year will be Mr. Aaron Teagle of Sonoma County and doctoral candidate, Ms. Myrna Cadena of UC Davis.  We will start promptly at 8:30 AM.

Avian Bowl - you must register in advance (using entry forms on this website).  All Avian Bowl entries need to be sent to Dr. Bradley.    Avian Bowl sign-in will be at 12 Noon.  Senior Teams will take the written test and Junior Avian Bowl will begin as soon as Showmanship is completed.   Our estimated starting time is 12:30 PM.

     2026 Study Sections can be found on this website, under Avian Science Notes, 2025-12-19.   That is correct; the NEW sections for 2026 were posted in December, 2025.  That same Vol. 1 of December Avian Science Notes also contains information on how to order the National Avian Bowl Manual.

     **Be careful - INCORRECT Study Sections have been posted on other sites.

Coaches: entry forms (one for Junior Teams and one for Senior Teams) can be downloaded from this site.  Two players of the same age division are needed to make a team.   A team may have 2,3, or 4 members.  A county may host as many teams as it wants.   In addition, 4-Hers from different counties may be on the same team.

2026 Avian Bowl State Qualifier Entry Forms

Attached HERE are the 2026 Avian Bowl State Qualifier Entry Forms for the Junior and Senior teams.  Please note that entries must be postmarked or FAXED by Monday, February 9, 2026.

Dr. Francine Bradley, Extension Poultry Specialist Emerita