Because of past problems with heat and an increase in the number of entries, the Clark County Fair has developed a new plan to handle poultry.

Rather than keep the animals at the fair for the entire eight-day run of the fair, this year poultry will be divided up and kept in the barns at intervals, according to Melissa Anderson, chair of Rabbits and Poultry.

Last year about seven birds died as a result of heat last year, according to fair veterinarian Dana King. He said the birds are very sensitive to heat and it is important to keep them cool. He said freezing a water bottle and placing it the cage will help keep them cool.

Anderson said the change was made mainly because of the heat, but the increased poultry entries also contributed to the change.

“We have over 300 duck entries this year,” said Anderson.

Anderson said ducks and turkeys will be checked in on Friday, the first day of the fair, and showed on Sunday. The animals will leave Tuesday night.

Fancy poultry will check in Friday, show on Wednesday and will leave on the 27th. Meat chickens will be checked in Tuesday night, shown on Wednesday, leave Thursday to be processed and will be sold on Friday 27th. Market ducks and turkeys will be auctioned with the chickens July 27 at the Champions Center at 8 a.m.

The increase in poultry entries, Anderson said, is in part because of the economy. Poultry cost less to raise than other animals. They also take less time to raise. She said ducks and chickens are roughly a six-week project.