4-H Poultry Project
What you'll do
Explore the poultry industry! You could focus on turkeys, chickens, ducks, geese, pheasants, guinea hens, pigeons or quail. Learn about
- Species and breeds
- Eggs
- Feather features
- Health
- Feeding
- Handling
- Washing
- Managing a flock
- Ethics
- Showing
- Careers
Levels of learning
Get started with 4-H'ers in your area
-
Find a club near you or contact your local 4-H office for more info.
Get started on your own
- National 4-H poultry activity books (for sale)
- National 4-H embryology activity books (for sale)
- Utah 4-H poultry activity book (free)
- Iowa 4-H Poultry Project Hot Sheet (free)
- American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection
- National 4-H Avian Bowl Manual
- University of Wyoming Poultry Project, An Introduction (free)
- BBQ Food Safety video — www.z.umn.edu/bbqfoodsafety
- USDA Biosecurity for Birds Web page
- Minnesota Board of Animal Health Avian Influenza Web page
- Avian Influenza Biosecurity for Youth and 4-H Members (login as a guest) — posted April 13, 2015. This is a modular online learning course targeted for 4-H'ers/students. They will gain important information about the avian influenza virus and ways to prevent the spread of disease.
Already enrolled in the 4-H Poultry Project?
- Poultry information sheet — posted Dec 20, 2019
- AnSci updates for 2020 — posted Dec 20, 2019
- 4-H animal ID requirements and processes
- Animal science projects lease information for 2019
- Animal science show requirements sheet for all species
- Animal science 4-H premise ID information
- Cloverbuds and animals
Join the Minnesota State Fair 4-H show committee
This is a leadership opportunity for 4-H members in grade 9 and up. Represent your fellow 4-H'ers on the livestock show committee, serving with adult volunteers.
What you'll do
- Attend two face to face meetings during the year as youth representative
- Participate in 2-4 calls during the year
- Staff a 4-H livestock information booth the first two days of the Minnesota State Fair
How to apply
Selected applicants will be notified in September and will be invited to a state fair meeting in October. This is a one-year experience, and you can apply for a second year.
Contact
Brian McNeill, Extension educator and advisor, mcnei006@umn.edu
Local livestock committees
You may be able to join your county 4-H livestock committee. Contact your local 4-H office for more information.
Poultry project resources for volunteers
Find volunteer support materials for this project and much more on the volunteer site.
To volunteer with 4-H in your area, contact your local 4-H office.
Fairs and exhibits
Record keeping and evaluation
- 4-H youth record keeping — Reflect on your project and what you've learned.
- Animal science project interviews evaluation - junior level (PDF)
- Animal science project interviews evaluation - senior level (PDF)
You can exhibit
Your livestock
Contact your local 4-H office for sign-up deadlines and more info about how to get started showing your:
Chickens
- Market pen
- Breeding pen
- Bantam breeding pen
- Egg production pen-white egg layers
- Egg production pen-brown egg layers
Doves
Ducks
- Market pen
- Breeding pen
- Bantam breeding pen
Geese
- Market pen
- Breeding pen
Guinea
- Market pen
- Breeding pen
Pigeons
- Utility, pair or young bird
- Fancy, pair or young bird
- Flying, pair or young bird
Turkeys-domestic only
- Market pen
- Breeding pen
Poultry Showmanship
Poultry Poster
Your knowledge
Find out about livestock shows near you on your local 4-H website.
Future study
You could study agriculture at the University of Minnesota.
Reviewed in 2020