Poultry projects give youth the opportunity to experience raising a family flock! Learn about different poultry breeds, how to properly handle poultry, fitting and showing techniques, and more.
Objectives
Youth will:
- Learn and apply recommended principles of poultry production
- Demonstrate a knowledge of sound breeding, feeding, and management proactices
- Identify breeds, types of poultry, and employ efficient Marketing methods
4-H Poultry Curriculum
Available through the Extension office or online.
Poultry 1 – Scratching the Surface
Activities include parts identification, species and breeds, selection, exploring an egg, feather features, cooking eggs, feeding, handling, washing and showing.
Poultry 2 – Testing Your Wings
Covers budgeting, pecking order, feed tags, retail products, bone identification, carcass grading, health care and egg exploration.
Plan a judging clinic, manage a flock, exploring careers, processing chickens, conducting poultry games and discuss values and ethics.
Project helpers will find many fun and engaging group games and activities to further expand the Poultry project experience for youth.
4-H Poultry Showmanship Digital Download
Poultry showmanship begins long before the competition. The time and effort spent by members in properly caring for their birds and training them for showmanship will be reflected on the day of the competition. The activities in the competition give members the opportunity to present their birds in their best light. In addition, members must learn to follow instructions, speak before an audience, and maintain a poised and professional manner throughout the event. This manual goes over many of the criteria judges look for when judging poultry, and how 4-H’ers can work towards putting their best feather forward!
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
Used to record inventory, meat bird production, breeding information, expenses, and income.
C0531 – Poultry Show Card (Pack of 25)
Used to verify identification of 4-H poultry entries. Individual claim ticket numbers are printed on each card.
For adult helpers and club leaders
PNW768 – Market Poultry Lesson Plans: From Egg to Animal (PDF)
EM080E – Poultry Leader Guide Introduction
EM081E – Poultry Leader Guide Level 1
EM082E – Poultry Leader Guide Level 2
EM083E – Poultry Leader Guide Level 3
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
Livestock E-Quiz – This website was created by the University of Illinois Extension to help you learn more about beef, dairy, horses, poultry, sheep, swine, forage, and meats.
National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference
The National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference recognizes senior 4-H members who are 14 years of age as of January 1, and who have excelled in their state 4-H poultry learning activities.
Washington Specific Reference Material
Yakima County 4-H Embryology Project
Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory – Birds
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
National 4-H Poultry Judging Contest Manual
Basic Rules for Hatching Chicks – Cornell University Cooperative Extension (PDF)
Don’t Chicken Out Due to Unnecessary Health Concerns – PennState Extension
This article will help inform individuals about the true level of potential health risks associated with the 4-H Embryology in the Classroom project.
Hints for Hatchers – Cornell University Cooperative Extension (PDF)
Hints for Duck Hatchers – Cornell University Cooperative Extension (PDF)
From Higher Education Institutions
Breeds of Poultry – Oklahoma State University
A comprehensive guide to species and breeds of poultry with links to informational pages on each breed.
How to Raise Backyard Chickens – Iowa State University Extension (video playlist)
Andy Larson, small farms specialist and Homegrown Lifestyle coordinator, talks about raising backyard chickens, including what you need, what you need to do, and all about getting started.
Safe Handling of Chicks – University of Kentucky Extension (PDF)
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
Chicken Embryo Development – Poultry Hub Australia (YouTube video)
- Kits, Projects, and Activities from National 4-H