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Ducks and geese by the hundreds on display at International Waterfowl show

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt A pen of blue magpie ducks were among the 1,000 waterfowl on display this weekend at the Brown County Fairgrounds during the International Waterfowl Breeder’s Association (IWBA) and American Bantam Association 2019 national show.

NEW ULM — Before all the birds fly south for the winter, the Brown County Fairground is hosting the International Waterfowl Breeder’s Association (IWBA) and American Bantam Association 2019 national show.

Friday, the IWBA and American Bantam Association checked-in over 1,000 waterfowl from across the midwest.

Lance Ewert with the IWBA said this is probably the largest waterfowl show in Minnesota and possibly the largest in the United States.

Brown County has hosted bird shows in past years, but this is the first large show limited to the only waterfowl.

Ewert said this show featured around 190 geese, 400 bantam ducks and 500 standard ducks. Most of the birds were brought in from the midwestern states, but some exhibitors came from as far away as Indian, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Montana.

Duck exhibitor Laura Hildebrandt travel from Montana to attend the show. She brought magpie ducks to the show to sell to breeders.

Hildebrandt is a fan of ducks because they are quieter than most birds and they are one of the few birds that can be kept in an urban environment.

She said chicken is often banned from cities, but ducks are usually allowed through a loophole. Even if waterfowl are barred as pets, they will still come into a town if there is a water source.

Waterfowl also come in a variety of fun colors. Breeders can create a variety of exotic birds.

The waterfowl show continues on Saturday. Judging begins at 9 a.m. Runner duck judging will begin at 1 p.m. Awards will be given out Sunday morning with dismissal at 8 a.m.

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