Poultry/Turkey/Waterfowl

4-H Poultry/Turkey/Waterfowl

Revised 2.9.2021

Project Leader & Barn Superintendent:  Parker Balvich

The 4-H Poultry Project provides youth a fun and hands-on learning experience that develops life skills, as well as teaches valuable information about properly caring for their birds. Subjects such as general care, nutrition housing, and health care are presented in the curricular materials through workshops and activities such as poultry judging, and in preparation of an exhibit. Youth also have the opportunity to develop responsibility, decision-making, nurturing, and communication skills through active participation in the 4-H Poultry Project.

• All Check-in and Judging times & dates may be found on the charts on Page 3 of this Insight Book
• All animal class entries must be entered into fairentry.com by July 8.
• If a variety for your poultry breed is not listed, enter your bird under the All Other Varieties (AOV) classification.
• All Current Record sheets/manuals are due to your club leader by July 8
• For competitive purposes, it is recommended that 4-H birds be hatched prior to April 1, except as specified for birds shown in meat classes.
• Blood testing: Poultry and Turkeys must be blood tested or have an NPIP certificate. Waterfowl (ducks and geese) do not need to be blood tested. NPIP certificates must be turned in by June 1st.
• Individual chicken and waterfowl identification, such as leg bands, is not required for entry, although it is desirable.
• It is recommended that 4-H members be present at the time their 4-H poultry exhibit is judged. Order of show will be determined by the Judge and show committee. Valuable information may be obtained by 4-H members from listening to the reasons that the Judge gives for placing the classes.
• All eggs are the property of the Fair management and not to be gathered by anyone except Fair staff. Any questions should be directed at the superintendents.

4-H POULTRY SHOW OVERVIEW

1. Exhibition Poultry Show (single birds)

• Exhibition: standard + bantam = max 10 single chickens total

2. Commercial Poultry Show (pairs of birds), Miscellaneous Birds and Wild fowl (game birds, pheasant, quail, etc.), Egg Class

• Commercial/Miscellanous Birds & Wildfowl: 6 pairs of birds = max 12 birds total
• Egg Class, see detailed instructions under Commercial Poultry rules.

3. Turkey Show

• Turkeys: 6 single birds + 1 meat pen (pair of turkeys) = max 8 turkeys total

4. Waterfowl Show

• Ducks: standard + bantam = 8 single birds + 1 meat pen (pair of ducks) = max 10 ducks total
• Geese: 6 single birds + 1 meat pen (pair of geese) = max 8 geese total

5. More detailed instructions are listed under specific poultry project rules below

POULTRY

LEVEL 1 - SCRATCHING THE SURFACE (grades 3-5). Choose one or more of the following:

• Exhibit the bird(s) you have cared for
• Poultry educational poster — choose a topic from the Level 1 manual

LEVEL 2 - TESTING YOUR WINGS (grades 6-8). Choose one or more of the following:

• Exhibit your bird(s) you have cared for
• Poultry educational poster — choose a topic from the Level 2 manual

LEVEL 3 - FLOCKING TOGETHER (grades 9-12).Choose one or more of the following:

• Exhibit the bird(s) you have cared for
• Poultry educational poster — choose a topic from the Level 3 manual

General Rules:

1. Members must enroll in the Poultry project by May 15. See 4-H General Rules for information on manual completion requirements.
2. Broiler and roaster classes shall consist of crossbreed and hybrid birds only.( the birds should match as much as possible)  Egg production classes may consist of exhibition birds, crossbreed or hybrid birds.  Please note egg production classes shall consist of two birds near same type size and earlobe color. (The birds should match as much as possible) Both birds should be in full egg production
3. All birds, except Waterfowl, must be blood tested or have an NPIP certificate. Blood testing must be done by project superintendents or another certified tester approved by the 4-H Council. All birds needing NPIP certificates must be brought to the fairgrounds on date designated by Superintendent. NPIP certificates must be turned in by June 1st to superintendent or Extension Office. (see below exception for Broilers/Roasters)
4. Broilers and Roasters must have NPIP certificates. NPIP certificates must be submitted to Extension Office or brought with birds at check-in day.
5. Those missing the blood testing, without making prior arrangements with the superintendent, will have their exhibit dropped one ribbon grade - NO EXCEPTIONS!
6. All meat bird classes will be judged in the Commercial Show.

Poster Rules:

1. Posters must follow 4-H General Poster Rules. It is requiredthat all posters, notebooks, and display boards include a reference list indicating where information was obtained, giving credit to the original author, to complete the 4-H member’s exhibit. This reference list should/might include website links, people and professionals interviewed, books, magazines, etc. It is recommended this reference list be attached to the back of a poster or display board, be the last page of a notebook, or included as a part of the display visible to the public. A judge is not to discredit an exhibit for the manner in which references are listed.
2. Posters and Poultry Science Project displays: “Develop an idea and build it into an attractive display as well as learn the technical aspect of some part of the poultry industry.”
3. Posters are to be 22"x28" and displayed horizontal, but a 2-dimensional exhibit is preferred for poultry science projects. Poultry science displays must occupy a space no larger than 30" deep x 48" wide x 72" high.
4. Display Boards are no longer an option.

Exhibition Poultry Rules (standard and bantam birds):

1. Each exhibitor must provide his or her own feed. Birds must be fed, and cages must be cleaned each day.
2. Standard (the large breed) birds; any entry not found in classes 1-5 will be entered in class 6 All other varieties. Which is; Any variety not listed in class 1-5 or found in the American Standard of Perfection. Furthermore,Bantam (the small breed) birds; any entry not found in classes 7-11 will be entered in class 12.   All other standards. Which is; Any variety not listed or not found in the American Standard of Perfection
3. Each exhibitor is limited to a total of 10 birds (standard + bantam).
4. Each exhibitor may bring one of each type per variety a type refers to the age and sex of birds, a variety refers to the “American Standard of Perfection” within the poultry classes - or all other varieties class.  Exhibition types and classes are further described at the end of this section. See examples of these rules described below.

Description of Exhibition PoultryTypes:

• Cock -  a male bird, 1 year old or more on show day
• Cockerel - a male bird, less than 1 year old on show day
• Hen - a female bird, 1 year old or more on show day
• Pullet - a female bird, less than 1 year of age on show day

Standard Exhibition Poultry Classes:

1. American - Plymouth Rock, Dominiques, Wyandottes, Javas, Rhode Island Reds, Rhode Island Whites, Buckeyes, Chanteclers, Jersey Giants, Lamonas, New Hampshires, Hollands, Delawares
2. Asiatic - Brahmas, Cochins, Langshans
3. English - Dorkings, Redcaps, Cornish, Orpingtons, Sussex, Australorps
4. Mediterranean - Leghorns, Minorcas, Spanish, Blue Andalusians, Anconas, Sicillian Buttercups, Catalanas
5. Continental - Barnevelderes, Hamburgs, Campines, Lakenvelders, Welsummers, Polish, Houdans, Faverolles, Crevecoeurs, La Fleche
6. All Other Standards (any variety not listed above or not found in the Book of Standards)

Bantam Exhibition Poultry Classes:

7. Game Bantams - Modern Games, Old English Games
8. Single Comb Clean Legged Bantams - (other than game bantams) — Anconas, Andalusians, Australorps, Campines, Catalanas, Delawares, Dorkings, Dutch, Frizzles, Hollands, Japanese, Javas, Jersey Giants, Lakenvelders, Lamonas, Leghorns, Minorcas, Naked Necks, New Hampshires, Orpingtons, Phoenix, Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, Spanish, Sussex, Welsummers
9. Rose Comb Clean Legged Bantams - Anconas, Belgian Bearded d’Anvers, Dominiques, Dorkings, Hamburgs, Leghorns, Minorcas, Redcaps, Rhode Island Reds, Rhode Island Whites, Rosecombs, Serbrights, Wyandottes
10. All Other Combs Clean Legged Bantams - Ameraucana, Araucanas, Buckeyes, Chanteclers, Cornish, Crevecoeurs, Cubulayas, Houdans, La Fleche, Malays, Polish, Shamos, Sicilian Buttercups, Sumatras, Yokohamas
11. Feather Legged Bantams - Booted, Belgian Bearded d’Uccle, Brahmas, Cochins, Faverolles, Frizzles, Langshans, Silkies, Sultans
12. All Other Varieties (any variety not listed above or not found in the Book of Standards)

EXAMPLES of How to Apply the Exhibition Poultry Rules:

• An exhibitor may bring one of each type (hen, pullet, cock, cockerel) in each variety in the American class, e.g. 1 standard Plymouth Rock hen, pullet, cock, and cockerel, but not 4 standard Plymouth Rock hens of the same variety.  They may bring 1 Columbian Plymouth Rock hen, 1 White Wyandotte hen, and 1 Rhode Island Red Hen.  Same Rules Apply to the Bantam Poultry classes.

Commercial Poultry Rules:

1. Each exhibitor must provide his own feed. Birds must be fed, and cages must be cleaned each day.
2. Broiler and roaster classes shall consist of crossbreed and hybrid birds only.( the birds should match as much as possible)  Egg production classes may consist of exhibition birds, crossbreed or hybrid birds.  Please note egg production classes shall consist of two birds near same type size and earlobe color. (The birds should match as much as possible) Both birds should be in full egg production
3. Each exhibitor is limited to a total of 6 different pairs of birds from the 8 classes listed  ( total of 12 birds max). Choose only one pair (entry) for the  classes 13-20. You must limit yourself to 6 classes. The Egg Class you may bring one entry (six eggs) per each of the 3 different classes. See description of egg classes in #21 of the commercial poultry classes.  
4. Each exhibitor may exhibit 1 pair of broilers and/or 1 pair of roasters.
5. Each exhibitor may bring one of each type per class (a type refers to the age and sex of birds, a class refers to the “American Standard of Perfection” poultry classes). Commercial types and classes are further described at the end of this section. See examples of these rules described below.
6. For judging, special attention will be given to growth, development, and production qualities.
7. Birds entered as broilers that are over 5 ½ pounds will be moved to roasters.
8. Birds entered as roasters that are less than 5 ½ pounds will be moved to broilers.
9. Birds weighing over 10 pounds will be downgraded 1 ribbon.
10. Birds weighing less than 3 pounds will be downgraded 1 ribbon.

Description of Commercial Poultry Types:

• Pullets — 2 female birds, less than one year of age on show day, near same type ,size and earlobe color. Both birds should be in full egg production. Egg production classes may consist of exhibition birds, crossbreed or hybrid birds. (The birds should match as much as possible)
• Hens — 2 female birds, more than one year of age on show day, near same type ,size and earlobe color. Both birds should be in full egg production. Egg production classes may consist of exhibition birds, crossbreed or hybrid birds. (The birds should match as much as possible)
• Broilers — 2 birds of the same sex, 6 - 8 weeks of age, less than 5 ½ pounds on show day  (The birds should match as much as possible)
• Roasters — 2 birds of the same sex, 8 - 12 weeks of age, 5 ½ to 10 pounds on show day  (The birds should match as much as possible)
• Eggs — an exhibitor may show 1 entry in each class (there are 3 egg classes). Classes are described below. In each class, exactly 6 eggs will be displayed in a foam or recyclable carton. Egg types may be chicken, ducks, geese or turkey eggs. Eggs will be disposed of by the Fair Staff at the end of the 4-H show.

Commercial Poultry Classes:

(Please note: Classes 1-4 shall consist of two birds of near same type, size, and earlobe color. Both birds must be in full egg production  - The birds should match as much as possible)

1. Pen of Pullets Brown Egg Layers class
2. Pen of Pullets White Egg Layers class
3. Pen of Hens Brown Egg Layers class
4. Pen of Hens White Egg Layers class
5. Broilers class - broilers shall consist of two birds of the same sex and near equal weight
6. Roasters class - roasters shall consist of two birds of the same sex and near equal weight
7. Miscellaneous Birds and Wild Fowl class — exhibit a pair of birds such as pheasant, quail etc. An exception applies to guinea fowl and pigeons, which must be shown as single birds. No ratites (emus, ostriches, rheas) allowed. The “pair” needs to be one male and one female.

• Cage restrictions:
• 4-H members must bring their own cage for all other game birds; 10% of the score will be based on the cage and decorations.
• Cages may not be larger than the following limits: Large birds (Pheasant) 40” L x 40”W x 3’H; Small birds (Doves) 3’’L x 2’W x 3’H.  Put a door on the side of the cage for taller cages..
• Guinea Fowl and Pigeons will be shown in regular exhibition cages.
• All cages need to be on the grounds and decorated by 4 p.m. on Saturday (Entry Day). Same cage should be used all week.  

8. Miscellaneous Birds and Wild Fowl Meat Pen class — see definition of birds in class above. *** NOTE: Some of these birds require federal permits from the DNR. Permits must be shown at entry time, and permit numbers will be recorded on pen card.
9. Egg class - exhibit exactly 6 eggs from one hen per class. The hen must be in your possession by May 15th and blood tested. Bring eggs on the day of show. Individual egg classes are:

• White shell chicken eggs
• Brown shell chicken eggs
• All other eggs (all other color chicken eggs, including blue and green eggs, duck eggs, geese eggs, and turkey eggs)

EXAMPLES of How to Apply the Commercial Poultry Rules:

• An exhibitor may bring pen of pullets brown layers (2 birds), pen of pullets white layers (2 birds), pair of broilers (2 birds), pair of roasters (2 birds), a breeding pair of misc. male and a female, (2 birds), pair of misc same-sex wildfowl meat birds (2 birds), for a total of 6 pairs (12 birds).
• An exhibitor may bring a pen of hens brown layers and a pen of hens white layers, but not 2 pens of hens brown layers etc.
• An exhibitor may bring brown shell chicken eggs, white shell chicken eggs, and blue shell chicken eggs. Do NOT bring blue shell chicken eggs AND duck eggs, since they are in the same class.

TURKEYS

LEVEL 1 - SCRATCHING THE SURFACE (grades 3-5). Choose one or more of the following

• Exhibit the bird(s) you have cared for
• Turkey educational poster — choose a topic from the Level 1 manual

LEVEL 2 - TESTING YOUR WINGS (grades 6-8). Choose one or more of the following

• Exhibit your bird(s) you have cared for
• Turkey educational poster — choose a topic from the Level 2 manual

LEVEL 3 - FLOCKING TOGETHER (grades 9-12). Choose one or more of the following

• Exhibit the bird(s) you have cared for
• Turkey educational poster — choose a topic from the Level 3 manual

Project Rules:

1. See 4-H General Rules for information on manual completion requirements.
2. Members must be enrolled in the Turkey Project by May 15. Birds must be in your possession by May 15.
3. Each exhibitor must provide his/her own feed. Birds must be fed, and cages must be cleaned each day.
4. Each exhibitor is limited to a total of 6 single birds and 1 meat pen. Total max of 8 birds.
5. Each exhibitor may only bring one type per class (a type refers to the age and sex of birds, a class refers to the ”American Standard of Perfection” turkey classes). Turkey types and classes are further described at the end of this section. See examples of these rules described below.
6. All birds, except Waterfowl, must be blood tested or have an NPIP certificate. Blood testing must be done by project superintendents or another certified tester approved by the 4-H Council. All birds needing NPIP certificates must be brought to the fairgrounds on date designated by Superintendent. NPIP certificates must be turned in by June 1st to superintendent or Extension Office. (see below exception for Broilers/Roasters)
7. Those missing the blood testing, without making prior arrangements with the Superintendent, will have their exhibit dropped one ribbon grade – NO EXCEPTIONS!

Exhibition Turkey Types:

(Please note: Young Birds are less than 1 year old on day of show. Old Birds are more than 1 year old on day of show)

>     Young Hen      >     Young Tom

>     Old Hen          >     Old Tom

Exhibition Turkey Classes:

>  Bronze>   Naragansent

>  White Holland (also referred to in commercial terminology as Broad Whites or Large Whites)

>  Black>  Slate

>  Bourbon Red>  Bettsville Small White

>  Royal palm >  Meat Pen (2 birds, same sex, age 16-24 weeks)

>  All Other Varieties (any variety not listed above or not found in the Book of Standards)

EXAMPLES of How to Apply the Turkey Project Rules:

• An exhibitor may bring one of each type (young hen, old hen, young tom, and old tom) in Bronze class, but not 4 Bronze young hens.
• An exhibitor may bring 1 Black old hen, 1 Slate old hen, 1 Bourbon Red old hen, 1 Bettsville Small White young tom, 1 Bettsville Small White old tom etc., but no more than 6 single birds.

4-H WATERFOWL

LEVEL 1 - SCRATCHING THE SURFACE (grades 3-5). Choose one or more of the following:

• Exhibit the bird(s) you have cared for
• Waterfowl educational poster — choose a topic from the Level 1 manual

LEVEL 2 - TESTING YOUR WINGS (grades 6-8). Choose one or more of the following:

• Exhibit the bird(s) you have cared for
• Waterfowl educational poster — choose a topic from the Level 2 manual

LEVEL 3 - FLOCKING TOGETHER (grades 9-12). Choose one or more of the following:

• Exhibit the bird(s) you have cared for
• Waterfowl educational poster — choose a topic from the Level 3 manual

Project Rules:

1. NO BLOOD TEST NEEDED
2. See General 4-H Rules for information on manual completion requirements.
3. Members must be enrolled in Waterfowl project by May 15. Birds must be in your possession by May 15.
4. Each exhibitor must provide his/her own feed. Birds must be fed, and cages must be cleaned each day.
5. For meat class, crossbred birds will be allowed.
6. Each exhibitor may bring a total of 10 single ducks (standard + bantam) and 1 meat pen. Total max of 12 birds.
7. Each exhibitor may bring a total of 6 single geese and 1 meat pen. Total max of 8 birds.
8. Each exhibitor may bring one type per variety in each class (a type refers to the age and sex of birds, a class refers to the “American Standard of Perfection” duck and geese classes). Waterfowl types and classes are further described at the end of this section.
9. Meat bird pens should be of equal weight or as close to same weight as possible.
10. Meat ducks weighing under 4 pounds or over 8 pounds will be downgraded 1 ribbon.

Waterfowl Types:

(Please note: Young Birds are less than 1 year old on day of show. Old Birds are more than 1 year old on day of show)

Duck Types:

>    Young Bantam duck (female)>   Young Bantam drake (male)

>    Old Bantam duck (female)>   Old Bantam drake (male)

>     Young large duck (female)>   Young large drake (male)

>     Old large duck (female)>   Old large drake (male)

Duck Classes:

2. Heavy Weight — Pekin, Aylesbury, Rouen, Muscovy
3. Medium Weight — Cayuga, Crested, Swedish, Buff
4. Light Weight — Runner, Campbell, Magpie
5. Bantam Duck — Call, East Indie, Mallard
6. All Other Varieties (any variety not listed above or not found in the Book of Standards)
7. Meat Class —2 large birds of same sex, 4-8 pounds each (should be close to same weight), hatched after January 1 of current year. Meat ducks weighing under 4 pounds or over 8 pounds will be downgraded 1 ribbon

Geese Types:

>    Young goose (female)        >    Young gander (male)

>    Old goose (female)            >    Young gander (male)

Geese Classes:

8. Heavy Weight — Toulouse, Embden (Emden), African
9. Medium Weight — Sebastopol, Pilgrim, American Buff, Saddleback Pomeranian
10. Light Weight — Chinese, Tufted Roman, Canada, Egyption
11. All Other Varieties (any variety not listed above or not found in the Book of Standards)
12. Meat Class —2 birds of same sex, (should be close to same weight), 6-24 weeks of age.

EXAMPLES of How to Apply the Waterfowl Project Rules:

• An exhibitor may bring 1 Heavy Weight large young duck (Pekin), 1 Medium Weight large young duck (Swedish), and 1 Light weight large young duck (Runner), or  3 Heavy Weight large young ducks (Pekin, Aylesbury, and Rouen), because they are all different varieties within the class.

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