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College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

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Wayne County

Wayne County 4-H Poultry Department


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.

2021 Poultry Calendar of Events

  • Enroll in 4-H through 4-H Online by April 1st (note: clubs may set an earlier deadline)
  • May 1 - All market poultry orders due into the Extension office. Click here to order your market poultry.
  • May 20th - May 30th - Market Turkey hatch dates
  • June 1st - Obtain and care for your project animal(s) on or before June 1st (except market chickens and market ducks)
  • June 1st - Complete Animal ID for all possible animals (including family back-ups) that you could possibly enter in the fair through 4-HOnline on or before June 1st.  Help sheets are available at wayne.osu.edu/help
  • June 8th - Poultry Clinic, 7:00 PM Goat/Sheep Arena 
  • July 8th - Poultry Project Interviews - 5-9 pm, Fairgrounds Event Center
  • July 8th - Outstanding Market Exhibitor Exam - 7 pm, Fairgrounds Event Center, Click here for more OME information
  • July 13th - Earliest hatch date for Market Ducks
  • July 20th - Earliest hatch date for Market Chickens
  • July 20th - Pick up Market Chickens ordered from 4-H
  • July 22nd - Pick up Market Chickens ordered from Centerra
  • Complete Quality Assurance Training by July 27th.  QA will be offered virtually in 2021. See the Quality Assurance page for more details.
  • Skillathon - Skillathon will be offered virtually between July 1 and July 23.  Check our Skillathon page for more information.
  • August 1 - Jr. Fair Class Entries Due - Make all Junior Fair Class Entries at waynejrfair.fairentry.com
  • August 1 - Animal ID and Sale Photograph due in 4-H Online for all market ducks and market chickens
  • August 3 - Poultry Blood Testing - 6:00 - 8:00 pm Goat / Sheep Arena
  • August 28th - Poultry Barn Set Up Day - 9:00 am Event Center
  • September 10th - Poultry Check-In - 12:00 - 9:00 pm Event Center
  • September 13th - Poultry Show - 8:00 am Event Center
  • September 15th - Poultry Auction - Event Center

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

Poultry Animal ID Requirements

2021 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 Clinic and Educational Resources

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

Poultry Outstanding Exhibitor Awards PRogram

Poultry Outstanding Record Book Awards

  • The Outstanding Record Book Awards are designed to recognize youth that take time to thoroughly complete their records 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 1st.  Awards are presented at the Fall 4-H Recognition Banquet.
  • Poultry Outstanding Record Book Award Rubric

Poultry Junior Fair Information

Poultry / Rabbit Committee

  • The Wayne County 4-H / FFA / Jr. Fair Poultry / Rabbit Action committee is 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 2021 Poultry/Rabbit Committee is made up of the following individuals: Jamie Bickett (Vice Chair), Lily Bickett (JFB Advisor), Hannah Becker (Chair), Beth Gerhart, Mike Gerhart, Briar Lehman, Sarah Zimmerly, Missy Rossiter, Abby Rossiter, Michael Springer, Stephanie Roberts, Caite Noyes (FFA), Doug Foxx (OSU Extension), Dave Stahl (Senior Fair Liaison) and Junior Fair Board members Grady Bickett, Kailynn Wickens, Edward Bohner, Karissa Clark, Alexis Henry, Kayleigh Molnar, and Lillee Mullen.

State 4-H Poultry Webpage

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