A peep of chicks feed in their cage at Oesterlings Lawn & Garden on Thursday. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has temporarily banned poultry and egg exhibitions due to the threat of avian influenza. No cases have been confirmed in Pennsylvania, but the department said it imposed the temporary ban to protect the state’s $7.1 billion poultry industry. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has temporarily banned poultry and egg exhibitions due to the threat of avian influenza.

The ban, announced Thursday, takes effect Saturday and will last for 60 days, or until the department rescinds the order.

Assuming the ban will end in 60 days, the Butler Farm Show is planning to have its poultry events during the show, which is scheduled for Aug. 8 to 13.

The farm show board briefly discussed the ban at its meeting Wednesday night and decided to keep the poultry event, unless the ban is extended to the time of the show, said Ken Laughlin, board president.

“It looks like June 6 is the cutoff date now. It won’t affect us,” Laughlin said. “As of right now, we’re planning on having our regular poultry show.“

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