4-H Poultry Project

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
• USDA Biosecurity for Birds
• 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.
• Preparing to buy chicken

• Poultry information sheet — posted Dec. 21, 2022
• AnSci updates for 2023 — posted Dec. 21, 2022
• 4-H animal ID requirements and processes 
• Animal science show requirements sheet for all species 
• Cloverbuds and animals
• Leasing a 4-H animal
• 4-H update: highly pathogenic avian influenza  
• How to protect your small flock from avian influenza
• MLBA 4-H Purple Ribbon Auction information for market animal exhibitors at the MN State Fair. 

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

Apply online 

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

Joe Rand, Extension educator and advisor, joerand@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 training, project development committees (PDCs) and more support for volunteers on our volunteer site.

To volunteer with 4-H in your area, contact your local 4-H office. 

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

• Livestock interviews
• Science of Animals exhibits
• Poultry judging contest
• Poultry project bowl

Find out about livestock shows near you on your local 4-H website.