Inspections

Livestock & Poultry Inspections

As volunteers allow, animals will be inspected.

Spot-checks happen throughout the day. Food, Water & Humane Housing

Bring receptacles for food and water.

Containment must be clean, humane, and allow fresh air.

Failed Inspections
You may be asked to remove the animal, leave the vending area, or leave the event.

Repeated issues may result in a ban.

Report concerns to staff or inspectors immediately.

Things to look for in an unhealthy/unthrifty animal no matter the species:

Obviously you have to consider that some animals might be molting/shedding, under stress from being carted to the a big event and exposed to a lot of noise and activity, and/or other scenarios.

Ideally, though, these are things you should watch out for when deciding what animals to bring to the Farm Barter Faires.

Underweight
Matted/tangled/filthy hair/fur/feathers
Dull/coarse fur/hair/coat/feathers
Dull/crusty/weepy/infected eyes/nose
Snotty nose/sneezing/raspy breathing
Labored breathing
Rapid breathing
Coughing
Lethargic/listless

Mites/fleas/lice- check tail area and back of neck
Diarrhea/bloody stool
Sores/wounds/injuries
Swollen joints or signs of lameness
Loss of balance
Sunken eyes
Hot/hard/impacted teats/udders (for nursing mammals)
“Skin tent” after pinching skin (dehydration)

These are things to especially look for in specific species in addition to the above list:

Rabbits

Matted front paws (from wiping a snotty nose)
Goopy or runny eyes
Ear mites (ears should be clean inside)
Fur mites (dandruff/scabby areas in fur)
Sore hocks (scabby/bleeding bottoms of feet)
Underweight (spine and hip bones should not be prominent)
Head tilted
Favoring ears/shaking head
Overgrown nails
Grinding teeth
Scabs around eyes/mouth/vent (VD)

Poultry

Bubbling from nose
Scaly, rough legs (leg mites)
Lumpy feet (bumblefoot)
Pasty bottoms (chicks/ducklings/poults)
Dirty bottoms (can be a sign of internal parasites)
Fleas/mites/lice (check vent area especially)
Missing patches of feathers
Pasty feathers around eyes

Dogs/Puppies/Cats/Kittens

Fleas/flea dirt/scabs in fur
Ringworm/missing patches of fur

Goats, Sheep, Cattle, Camelids (Alpacas, Llamas), Pigs

Limping/favoring any feet
Overgrown hooves
Dull/coarse/patchy hair/fur (could be a symptom of mineral imbalance/parasites)
Irregular hair loss/scabby skin/dandruff (could be a symptom of mineral imbalance/parasites)
Scabs around eyes/mouth/sex organs
Pale eyelids and gums (anemia- could be a symptom of mineral imbalance/parasites)
Goats- "fish tail" (could be a symptom of mineral imbalance/parasites)