Northwest Michigan 4-H Livestock Council
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Poultry

Species-Chair:
Lynn Henning   *   4hchickenqueen@gmail.com   *
   231-357-5132
​
Assistant Species-Chair:
Gwyn Carter   *   gwyncarter420@yahoo.com   *   231-649-0880

IMPORTANT DATES & INFO

Registration Due

March 6th

 

Show Bird Possession

April 15th

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIES

POSSESSION

DATE

AGE AT FAIR

MINIMUM WEIGHT (per bird)

MAXIMUM WEIGHT (per bird)

Cornish Game Hens

July 3 - 8

4 weeks

2 pounds

3 pounds

Ducks

May 29 - June 4

9 weeks

4 pounds

None

Geese

April 3 - 8

16 - 17 weeks

8 pounds

None

Production Pullets

Oct 15 - Jan 31

 

 

 

Meat Chickens

June 5 - 10

8 weeks

5 pounds

10 pounds

Turkeys

April 15 - 21

15 - 16 weeks

15 pounds

None

 

 

 

 

 

Record Book (Both Market and Show Only)

Required

Due: 9/11/23

 

Thank You Note

Required

Due: 10/2/23

 


2023 Registration is Open!!!
Due: March 6th, 2023

Market Registration: https://forms.gle/VJh4TEayGA8NAeqr5
Showmanship/Breed Registration: ​https://forms.gle/mSbmWxmxoQrX9ZkNA

2022 Poultry Policies
File Size: 267 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Poultry Record Book
File Size: 1749 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

2022 Poultry Health Form
File Size: 86 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Animal Health Plan Agreement
File Size: 177 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 7th.

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

Thanks,
Lynn and Gwyn

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

Hi Everyone....
This year we have some changes: POULTRY accepted starting at Noon....we will be there earlier, but official weigh-in does not start until Noon and will end at 4pm.
  • PENS/CAGES. Hot/humid weather has us concerned, therefore,Gwyn and I have made the decision to place all meat birds together, all turkey together and so on. We also decided where to place them to protect them from sun and extreme heat. SO, if you were told that you would have a certain cage/pen, things most likely have changed.
  • NO BOARDS over pens. You can bring a small chair to sit in front, you must bring it and take it when you are done using it. Do not leave in barn.
  • POULTRY NETTING has been placed on top and secured, on all the pens. This is for your birds protection from flying and the public...SORRY it cannot be cut or removed. It was donated to the barn, for which, we are very grateful!
  • POND...there is a leak in the liner, a small one, but it's there....Therefore, ALL pond kids are expected to be watchful of the water level. You will be responsible for barn duty,
  • Please transport your birds to 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, you will need it for AUCTION, at your camper.
  • Please follow signs when entering the fairgrounds. Poultry IS NOT to be walked in from the entry gate. Get in the swine line.
  • All POULTRY will be check 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.
  • Cages are marked with your name on them. Decorations can be put up Thursday or Friday evening 5pm to 9pm.
  • Do not change your pen/cage location unless you ask.
  • SAW DUST MUST BE PUT IN/UNDER YOUR CAGE BEFORE YOUR BIRDS CAN BE PUT IN.
  • You must sign up for 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.....
  • We do have room for Tack Stalls this year....if you are in the "back 40" or commute, you can use one of the stalls for your supplies (not transport cages), you may even house grain for other livestock here. ALL STALLS must be kept VERY NEAT, if not we will ask you to remove your belongings. Hopefully, next year we will be back to being overstuffed with birds and have no room for tack stalls. Remember....anything you store in the tack stall, will be your responsibility to secure. Please ask us if you would like on this year.

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.
Cage decorations.
3 x5 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.

IMPORTANT NOTE TO POND PEOPLE:
  • You must supply feed....and YES! someone else's duck or goose will eat it.
  • 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 8:30pm...each day to see if there is any special chores for the day.

We will keep track of attendance.

Picture day....consult with your leader. Market pictures are mandatory.

Please read the POULTRY BARN rules that will be posted...please read the A-frame Notice center daily.

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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Fair

Copyright © 2019
  • Home
  • Council Info
  • Species-Specific
    • Dairy Feeder
    • Dog
    • Goat
    • Horse
    • Junior Beef
    • Lamb
    • Large Beef
    • Llama & Alpaca
    • Poultry
    • Rabbit & Cavy
    • Swine
    • Differently Abled Program
  • Policy Books
  • Education
  • Auction