Things to Consider Before Taking a Poultry Project

Think about how much space is required to house the poultry projects you're considering.  Do you have enough physical space and the proper shelter?  Are you aware of feed costs and and have you budgeted for them?  Are you prepared to invest the money and time involved in caring for, grooming, learning about, and working with your poultry animals to be ready for project judging and the fair? Are the youth and parent(s), guardian(s), or other adult helper(s) prepared to make the time and financial commitment?  Poultry projects can be very rewarding for those who are prepared to house and work with their birds.

2026 Poultry Calendar of Events

• 2026 Poultry Calendar

Poultry Project Books

• The books listed below can be ordered through your 4-H club advisor, purchased directly from the Wayne County Extension Office, or ordered online at extensionpubs.osu.edu
• Poultry Project and Record Book (150) - Are you interested in raising chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, or guineas? This project can help you take better care of your birds through the experience of feeding, watering, and monitoring your animal's health. For reliable, resource-based online and print sources for information about poultry projects visit ohio4h.org/publications and download the free flyer.
• Wayne County 4-H Poultry Resource Book - compiled from other state's resources in 2020

• Old Poultry Project Books - For Reference ONLY

• Every 4-H member must purchase and utilize the new 150 Poultry record book. The old books are only to be used as a resource and reference in studying for the skillathon until the new 150 Poultry Resource Handbook is available.
• Raising Broilers
• Raising Pullets
• Fancy Poultry
• Duck and Goose
• Raising Turkeys

Poultry Project Guidelines and Forms

• 2026 Wayne County 4-H Poultry Project Guidelines - published annually, this document provides an overview of the most important things youth and parents should know about taking a dairy project including important dates, deadlines, animal ID and Junior Fair information.  This document is usally updated each November or December with information for the new year.
• Poultry Project Judging Form
• Questions about Poultry projects can be directed to your club advisor, Diane Johnson at the Extension Office, or by contacting the Poultry/Rabbit Committee Chair Hannah Becker

Poultry Animal ID Requirements

2025 Poultry Animal ID Help Sheet - overview of how to enter Poultry Animal ID in 4-HOnline and lists which fields and forms are required and which are optional.

POultry Orders

• 2026 Poultry Orders:
  • Link: Coming Soon
    • Meyer Hatcher Birds: Bronze Turkey ($10 each), White Turkey ($9 each), Pekin Duck ($11 each), Market Chicken ( $2 each)
    • Gerber Market Chicken ($0.65 each)
• Exhibitors can order any poultry through a NPIP hatchery of their choice. 
• 2026 Hatch Dates:
  • Turkeys hatched on May 21 or after
  • Ducks hatched on July 2 or after
  • Market Chickens hatched on July 16 or after

Poultry Clinic and Educational Resources

• The Poultry / Rabbit Committee will be holding a poultry clinic on  June 9, 2026 from 7:00 - 8:00 PM in the Goat/Sheep Arena at the fairgrounds.

POULTRY OUTSTANDING EXHIBITOR PROGRAM

• 2026 Outstanding Exhibitor Award Criteria

Poultry Outstanding Record Book

• The Outstanding Record Book Awards are designed to recognize youth who take time to thoroughly complete their record books, adding in details and financial, feed, and health records from throughout the entire project, including final market auction price and calculating their profit or loss for those taking market projects.  Youth wishing to have their record books judged should turn them in to the Extension Office by October 2.  Awards are presented at the Fall 4-H Recognition Banquet.
• Poultry Outstanding Record Book Award Rubric

Poultry Junior Fair Information

• Click here for the Jr Fair webpage

Poultry / Rabbit Committee

• The Wayne County 4-H / FFA / Jr. Fair Poultry / Rabbit Action committee are volunteers who are responsible for planning, organizing, and carrying out the horse program in consultation with and under the authority of OSU Extension and the Wayne County Agricultural Society (Senior Fair Board)
• Our 2026 Poultry/Rabbit Committee is made up of the following individuals: Hannah Becker (Chair), Sarah Zimmerly (V.Chair), Mark Dull, Todd Brennstuhl, Olivia Lang, Daniel Linden, Abby Rossiter, Nikki Hoff,  Stephanie Roberts, Margaret Nardecchia, Tanner Herbert, Kayleigh Molnar, Diane Johnson (OSU Extension), Mike Gerhart and Russ Johnson (Senior Fair Liaison) and Junior Fair Board members Bella Nardecchia, Nickalus Roberts, Cassidy Stoller, Payton Hoff, Katie Stoller, and Jenna Zimmerly.

State 4-H Poultry Webpage

• For more information about the Ohio 4-H Poultry Program, be sure to visit https://ohio4h.org/animalsciences/poultry

Wayne County 4-H Poultry Facebook Group

Be sure to join our Wayne County 4-H Poultry Facebook Group where we share reminders, announcements, and other educational content related to the 4-H Poultry program.  Check us out on Facebook at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/waynecounty4hpoultry