Northwest Michigan 4-H Livestock Council
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Poultry

Species-Chair:
Lynn Henning   *   [email protected]   *
   231-357-5132
​
Assistant Species-Chair:
Gwyn Carter   *   [email protected]   *   231-649-0880

IMPORTANT DATES & INFO

Registration Due

March 3, 2025

 

Show Bird Possession

April 15th

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIES

POSSESSION

DATE

AGE AT FAIR

MINIMUM WEIGHT (per bird)

MAXIMUM WEIGHT (per bird)

Cornish Game Hens

June 30 – July 5

4 weeks

2 pounds

3 pounds

Ducks

May 26 - 31

9 weeks

4 pounds

None

Geese

April 7 - 12

16 weeks

8 pounds

None

Production Pullets

Oct 15 - Jan 31

6-10 months 

 

 

Meat Chickens

June 2 - 7

8 weeks

5 pounds

10 pounds

Turkeys

April 7 - 12

16 weeks

15 pounds

None

 

 

 

 

 

Record Book (Both Market and Show Only)

Required

Due: 9/8/25

 

Thank You Note

Required

Due: 10/6/25

 


2025 Poultry Registration is Closed


2025 Poultry - Policies & Procedures
File Size: 181 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

2025 Poultry - Market Record Book
File Size: 341 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

2025 Poultry Health Form
File Size: 105 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

2024 NWMI Fair Animal Health Plan
File Size: 177 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Poultry Barn Decorations 2025

2025 Poultry Barn Decorations
File Size: 184 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Showmanship Study Guides

Poultry Showmanship - General Info
File Size: 392 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

4-H Poultry Showmanship Questions
File Size: 5166 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

A Guide to Examination of a Chicken
File Size: 1358 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Interview Questions by Species
File Size: 2749 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Questions & Answers by Class
File Size: 3077 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

What Do You Know? Questions by Age
File Size: 1489 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

4-H Fitting & Showmanship Guide
File Size: 6969 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

MI 4-H Poultry Snapshot
File Size: 1470 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


All Market Poultry must be ordered from a pullorum free hatchery.
All Poultry must have a dated receipt showing date of hatch.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE SPECIES CHAIR
Here is a list of hatcheries to consider when placing poultry orders for the upcoming 4-H year.
There are many hatcheries to choose from, some offer free shipping, some offer special attention to 4-H participants, some are cheaper than others. It is best to browse through a few hatcheries to compare stock and prices. Try these websites to start:
cacklehatchery.com
hoovershatchery.com
idealhatchery.com
meyerhatchery.com
mcmurrayhatchery.com
townlinehatchery.com
Type in "poultry hatcheries" to explore others


ORDER EARLY!!!!
It will be important this year to place your order early. Covid has taken its toll on the industry and once again creating shortages.

Please follow your hatcheries guidelines for starting and caring for your new birds. Any loss of birds upon arrival should be reported to the hatchery for credit or replacement.  Check hatchery for info on credits or replacement.

Registration for poultry projects will be due March 4, 2024.

Questions? 
Please feel free to contact us by phone, text or email.

Thanks,
Lynn and Gwyn


Things to Know from the Poultry Barn
Updated: 10/8/2023

A special note and instructions to 4-H poultry youth and families from from species chair Lynn and Gwyn.

THINGS TO KNOW
Research your project. Know what you will need to have a successful project.
Attend clinics.
Consult your local feed store when selecting the correct feed for your project.
Do not FREE RANGE your market project.
Pullorum certificate and receipt with date of birth required for entry.
All market projects will come from Pullorum-Free hatcheries
Birds without certificates will be tested by the NWMF.
● All POULTRY will be checked at the back of the barn. Make sure you have
your receipt and proof of PULLORUM certificate. Any bird showing any
kind of illness will not be allowed to remain on the fairgrounds.
● Make sure your birds arrive in a clean state....meaning no mud/manure
caked breasts, shanks or feet. If they arrive this way you will have to clean
them before handing them to be checked over for admittance.
● SAWDUST MUST BE PUT IN/UNDER YOUR CAGE BEFORE YOUR
BIRDS CAN BE PUT IN.
● BARN DUTY/POND DUTY. There will be sheets for this purpose.
EVERYONE this year will need to sign in and out. At least 2 people per
shift. If you do not sign up, we will contact you..
● PENS/CAGES. Will be assigned. Do not change your pen/cage location.
● NO BOARDS over pens.
● NETTING will be used over pens to prevent escaping. It will be secured
and is not removable.
● Please transport your birds to the fair in a safe manner. Carpeting or straw
in the bottom of your container/cage. Make sure air is allowed to get into
your container/cage. KEEP your cage at your campsite, you will need it for
AUCTION.
● Please follow signs when entering the fairgrounds. DO NOT walk Poultry to
Barn from any gate.
● Decorations can be put up Thursday or Friday evening 5pm to 9pm.
● There will be new decorating rules for 2024, stay tuned.
WHAT TO BRING
Pullorum certificate and receipt with date of birth.
Feed, feeder containers and water containers.
Wheelbarrow and shovel.
Cleaning and care supplies for your birds. Dish pan, shampoo, soft toothbrush,
vaseline, towels.
Showmanship clothes. Black or Navy blue pants and long sleeve white shirt. Tie
optional.
All supplies label with your name and KEEP at your campsite.
Cage decorations.
3x5 index card with your name, club name and what your project is.
RECORD BOOK completed up to auction info. Please have it in a binder or
folder.
Picture day....consult with your leader. Market pictures are mandatory.
IMPORTANT NOTE TO POND PEOPLE:
You must supply feed....and YES! someone else's duck or goose will eat it.
AGGRESSIVE WATERFOWL, In the event your duck or geese become harmful
to other ducks or geese in the pond....you will be contacted and they will then be
given an indoor pen. Older waterfowl can become very aggressive with young
waterfowl. So, you must supply your own feed/water bowls, in the event that this
should happen.
● All pond kids will arrive at 8:30 am and 8:30 pm...each day to see if there
are any special chores for the day.

Thanks much,
Lynn and Gwyn

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ....

  • All poultry entered in the 4-H/open fair, must have receipt showing date of hatch and proof of pullorum certificate.  Poultry without these will be tested.  Market projects will not be accepted.
  • Please consult your local feed expert as to what feed you need to supply your poultry with. Cracked corn or scratch are not proper feeds for any bird.
  • Protect your birds, especially your market projects.
  • Market projects should not be free ranged.

Market Projects
Any birds will be order if "good faith" by me.  I am not responsible for illness, lameness, failure to thrive or death of your birds once in your possession. Please research your project before you begin.

Tractor Supply has chicks in now, these birds cannot be used for any market projects but can be used for Showmanship Only

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Copyright © 2019
  • Home
  • Council Info
  • Meeting and Finance Information
    • NWMI 4-H Livestock Council Board
  • Species-Specific
    • Dairy Beef/Dairy Feeder
    • Dog
    • Goat
    • Horse
    • Junior Beef
    • Lamb
    • Large Beef
    • Llama & Alpaca
    • Poultry
    • Rabbit & Cavy
    • Swine
  • Policy Books
  • Education
  • Auction
  • Scholarships & Awards
  • Tanner Building and More
  • Leaders Corner
  • Differently Abled Program