NEWBERRY – It’s that time of year again, the time to sign up for the 2021 4-H Poultry Project. It may be cold now, but spring will come before you know it, and the days will get hotter.
With that in mind, consider the fun of raising and displaying chickens. The new or veteran chicken farmer, this 4-H project offers young people the opportunity to learn valuable lessons about the care and maintenance of a flock in a fun and engaging environment.
Raising chicks from day one to laying age can be a rewarding experience for 4-H youngsters across South Carolina. The 4-H Poultry Projects are open to all young people between the ages of 5 and 18.
The Newberry County Clemson extension office and the 4-H Program will have registration information. Contact Alana West, Newberry County 4-H agent, at [email protected] or 803-768-8442 or Midlands Region Project Coordinator Steve Hucks at [email protected] or 803- 745-5002.
The 4-H Chicken Chain has been one of our most popular projects and, in addition to food and shelter, does not require much time or expense. Registration is open until March 1st, at 10am. Youngsters have the option to order chicks in quantities of twelve ($ 35) or twenty-five ($ 70) to raise during the summer. The girls will arrive in early May. The breeds of chicks offered this year are Golden Comet, Rhode Island Red and Barred Rock. Each race is a reliable layer. Clemson Extension encourages families to do research before deciding which breed will be best for their 4-H project and how their backyard herd will be.
Part of the requirements for the Chicken Chain project includes the return of a portion of the birds at the end of the project for auction. If you order 12 birds, you will return three birds to 4-H. If you order 25 birds, you will return five birds for a final 4-H chain auction, usually after the fair season.
When 4-H participants satisfactorily complete each required part of the Chicken Chain (showmanship, registration book, auction birds), the youngster’s registration deposit is returned. Auction proceeds will help offset the project’s bid cost and all prizes / awards given throughout the year. All remaining pullets are 4-H members to maintain for their backyard flock. Young people will also have the opportunity to expose their knowledge about poultry or show their experience with the 4-H project, participating in various educational opportunities that precede the final exhibition.
Also offered this year is the 4-H Posture Batch Project. The Flock of Hens Project is aimed at young people who already have chickens at home and are not interested in asking for 4-H chicks this year. Participants have the same exhibition opportunities as those of the Chicken Chain. The cost to participate in the Posture Herd Project is $ 10 for 4-H members and registration is open until May 3 at 10 am
Those who apply for SC 4-H Bird Projects must also register and pay for their SC 4-H Association at v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in. Upon joining, young people will receive a T-shirt and will have the opportunity to participate in other 4-H projects offered during the year, including clubs, projects and summer camps.
The 4-H Poultry Project, like our other animal projects, is a rewarding experience for young people. They learn responsibilities and a wide range of life skills that will help them to grow and become versatile and complete adults. 4-H projects with animals, such as the 4-H Poultry Project, stimulate the process of “discovering” knowledge and solutions and create competence and confidence. To participate in 4-H bird projects, young people must complete the poultry registration online and pay the project fees. Fees depend on which poultry project young people participate in and the number of birds ordered. Forms are available from local Clemson extension offices or online at https://www.clemson.edu/extension/4h/programs/ag-animals/livestock/poultry.html.
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, nationality, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer .