2026-09-03: Avian Science Notes: August 2026

Avian Science Notes

August 2026

Lovely Leghorns prevailed at Fresno - now preparing for Louisville

Avian Bowl teams from across the state competed in the Avian Bowl Qualifier at the Greater California Society of Poultry Fanciers Show. It was wonderful to once again have representation from the far south, San Diego had their Duck, Duck, Goose team. This Senior Team quacked all the 350 some miles from home to the Big Fresno Fairgrounds.

In Junior Avian Bowl, the Silkie Girls from Fresno started with a win and never looked back. They beat teams from the counties of Madera, Merced, Napa, and Ventura (2 teams). The Silkie Girls dominated, winning each of their games by a margin of 10 to 35 points! The Naked Necks from Napa won all their games, except the 2 where they faced the Silkie Girls.

The senior teams with members from Fresno, Madera, Merced, and San Diego experienced close games when they faced off against each other. However, when the Lovely Leghorns from Napa were across the table, they were unstoppable and ran the Winner’s Bracket.

Congratulations to our Junior Champions, the Silkie Girls: Addie Niles and Regan Sytsma. Their supportive coach is Dr. Stephanie Humphrey.

(Coach of Junior State Champions, Dr. Stephanie Humphrey, with her team: Regan Sytsma and Addie Niles; Dr. Bradley)

Good wishes for the National competition in Kentucky to the Lovely Leghorns, our 2026 California Senior Avian Bowl Champions: Loralei Paukert and Riley Heliotes. Dr. Amber Paukert is the team’s coach.

(California Senior Avian Bowl Champions: Riley Heliotes and Loralei Paukert with Coach, Dr. Amber Paukert, Dr. Bradley, Junior Team members from Napa: Cole Damron, Fiona Heliotes, and Penelope Paukert.  In the background, keeping an eye on the proceedings, members of the Avian Bowl officiating team, Dr. Linda Teagle and Aaron Teagle.)

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New California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) 

Laboratory opens in Turlock

After many years on North Soderquist Road, CAHFS lab in Turlock has moved. Branch Chief, Dr. Simone Stoute, her colleagues, and staff have relocated to a new facility at 830 Dianne Drive, Turlock, CA 95380. Historically, the Turlock lab handled poultry exclusively. At the new facility, necropsy services are also available for mammalian food animals. The lab number is (209) 634-5837.

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Bowlers by road and air to Orange County

Participation in Avian Bowl at the Orange County Fair was not limited to teams from southern California. The Fair drew Avian Bowlers from up and down the State. Showing their commitment to the competition and obtaining valuable competition time were Avian Bowlers and family members who flew in from northern California and drove in from the San Joaquin valley. Many families who want their children to excel at a sport, frequently drive long distances for games and matches. Congratulations to parents who value seeing their children make academic competitions, such as Avian Bowl.

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Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is still in the country

Luckily, there have been no California cases of HPAI in poultry for some time. However, other states have not been as fortunate this summer. During August HPAI cases have been confirmed in Utah egg layers, as well as in a breeder flock and a meat turkey flock in South Dakota. It should be noted that these cases were in the midst of a hot, dry summer. Those conditions are not optimal for the HPAI virus; it does well in a cool, moist environment. Summer is not a time we see migrating waterfowl – known reservoirs of HPAI. The fact that we continue to see cases this summer, means that the virus has found a home in wild, feral, and pet animals. That is, the HPAI virus is in creatures such as ground squirrels, feral cats, and pets. These animals are present throughout the seasons and can explain how poultry become infected in summer.

Trust that regular readers will anticipate the following warning. BIOSECURITY – you must keep up the best biosecurity procedures.

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CALENDAR 2027

Sat., Feb.  27   Showmanship and Avian Bowl State Qualifier

                              Greater California Society of Poultry Fanciers' Show  Big Fresno Fair