Photo by karamsingh rabbits can be cute and gentle pets but caring for them will require an understanding of their behavior. To be able to identify the types and breeds of poultry and employ efficient methods of production and marketing. Beginners guide to raising backyard chickens youtube. Your birds are healthy and ready for exhibition, having been bloodtested for communicable diseases at least one month beforehand. Its a handson chance to learn the character and communitybuilding principles and practices that 4h is all. Here are some links for more information on smallscale chicken raising and choosing chicken breeds. From selecting a breed to caring for chicks, from housing and fencing to feeding and preventing or treating illness, the guide presents simple, straightforward information about chickens of all kinds.
If you have already signed up for this 4 h project, come on in and get started. To acquire an understanding of poultry production by preparing for, purchasing, breeding, caring for, and keeping records on one or more chickens or other poultry species as a part of a 4h project. This easytofollow, illustrated guide introduces beginners to the basics of how to raise chickens. If you want to learn how to raise goats without making the costly mistakes the the essential beginners. This book gave quite a lot of information for a beginner of any age who is interested in learning how to begin raising chickens for the home flock or 4h project. For all the details for this project, including how to register, follow this link to the midlands 4h laying flock webpage. Registration for the 2020 4h laying flock project will open in late january and continue until april 30, 2020. Breeds vary by year, but we always offer at least three for participants to chose from. With this number, you can calculate how many chickens you need. Jul 11, 2017 thinking of getting backyard chickens. In the poultry project you can explore poultry by learning about raising birds and dive into health issues.
Refer to mces publication 255 and mces publication 743 for 4h club members record forms. Purchase poultry project and record book from the ohio state university. Each spring, we place an order for either rhode island reds or barred rock baby chickens. If chickens arent your style, you could try turkeys, ducks, geese, pheasants, pigeons or coturnix japanese quail. Readytolay pullets and eggs as 4 h or ffa projects the farm market laying flock and the urban backyard eggproducing flock are responsible in an explosion of interest in raising egg producing chickens. Jul 26, 2019 small scale chicken raising raising chickens for eggs has become more popular in recent years. General poultry resources and information putting science into animal sciences projects fact sheets. Learn how to get started raising bantams, secure breeding stock, select and mate bantams. The 4h poultry program is part of the animal science project.
Backyard chickens may bring happiness but not cost savings. The grown birds must be exhibited at poultry shows on the county, regional or state level. Either bantam or standardsized chickens are acceptable. The essential beginners guide to raising chickens p. Spring is a perfect time to get your flock started. Union county 4h raising fancy chickens handbook 2017 150ce chicken, exhibition fancy poultry at the union county fair fancy poultry consists of a pen of 2 birds. Apr 23, 2020 seriously, if youve ever pondered the question of which came first, the chicken or the egg, youll have the chance to try to discover the answer when you participate in a 4h poultry project.
Previous ohio 4 h poultry project books have been condensed into one poultry project and record book for members of all skill levels. A heavy layer chicken will give you around 46 eggs per week. Youve diligently raised your 4 h chickens, giving them excellent feed and keeping their coop spotless. Record or project books help you to keep organized and detailed information about your 4h projects each year. Everything you need to know to raise your own backyard flock book. Caring for and raising chickens responsibly and humanely. Although 4 h offers several poultry projects for members, only one requires showing chickens for completion the exhibition bird project.
Are you searching for tips about raising chickens in winter rabbit raising is a good 4 h project because it requires only a small investment and limited space. Rural or urban flock location, a hot or cold climate, the size of your chicken coop and backyard, and how friendly you expect your chickens to be are all factors to consider in choosing chicken breeds. Many people are interested in having a backyard flock to provide eggs for themselves and their family. Which duck breed is best for small and backyard poultry flocks. Lets say youre a family of 4 who eat eggbased food every day. All 4h members are encouraged to keep accurate records. Help 4h members acquire information and an understanding of scientific production and management practices through the experience of keeping records, owning, and caring for livestock. This book gave quite a lot of information for a beginner of any age who is interested in learning how to begin raising chickens for. Get involved in embryology, growing and managing a small flock of chickens. This easytofollow, illustrated guide introduces beginners to. Your search to find the most easy to understand and follow guide is over. My 4 h clubs members used to own 99% chickens, with 1% ducks. To acquire an understanding of poultry production by preparing for, purchasing, breeding, caring for, and keeping records on one or more chickens or other poultry.
Tara kindschi a comprehensive guide to raising chickens that provides stepbystep instructions for every stage of the process, including selecting a breed, acquiring birds, chicken management, feeding, and. I have gotten my hands on several books since i decided to raise chickens, and this guide has by far been the most relevant and informative. Seriously, if youve ever pondered the question of which came first, the chicken or the egg, youll have the chance to try to discover the answer when you participate in a 4h poultry project. Poultry project 4h member guide osu extension catalog. Do not return library materials until the library reopens. Poultry project and record book osu extension publications. The program will help you learn about chickens from the egg to the table. Its also a great way for children to help with chores as well. Raising backyard chickens for beginners is exciting and very rewarding. This easytofollow, illustrated guide introduces beginners to the basics of how to.
It demonstrates the proper methods to secure a chicken from a cage and hold them properly while examining the birds. Are you searching for tips about raising chickens in winter taking care of rabbits. Allow 4h members to learn and employ efficient procedures and methods in marketing poultry and their products. Purchased this book and the book your chickens for my granddaughter who is in 4h and will be raising her first flock of chicks this spring. You will probably need the show the paper work from the hatchery when you take them to the fair. H gives kids a voice to express who they are and how they make their lives and communities better. With the support of adult mentors, youth select from a menu handson project ideas to complete. If you have already signed up for this 4h project, come on in and get started.
It also shows how to hand a bird to others and change hands while holding the bird in a safe and effective. Poultry raising projects 4h poultry penn state extension. Not knowing anything about raising chickens, i had to start somewhere. Most 4h members show a male and female of the same breed as a pair but you may also show 2 females of the same breed. They are a record of everything you have done and learned each year in your project. Readytolay pullets and eggs as 4h or ffa projects the farm market laying flock and the urban backyard eggproducing flock are responsible in an explosion of interest in raising egg producing chickens. Competing in the 4h exhibition bird project requires the participant to raise at least 15 purebred birds from one day old chicks. I am eager to start learning how to raise chicken and claim my copy of the. Are you interested in raising chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, or guineas. Hens begin laying at around six months of age and can continue for five to 10 years, with peak production occurring in the first two years. Previous ohio 4h poultry project books have been condensed into one poultry project and record book for members of all skill levels. If you have kids, the fun is exponentially multiplied as chickens are very social. This video demonstrates how all 4 h members and leaders should handle chickens for the safety of the birds and handlers.
It tells you all you need to know,from coop,to what kind of chickens is best for you. Whether youre a 4hr, a firsttime poultry owner, or a future egg farmer, the 4h guide to raising chickens provides stepbystep instructions for your project. Its a handson chance to learn the character and communitybuilding principles and practices that 4h is all about. Poultry animals projects kansas 4h youth development. We make a lot of videos on homesteading, simple living, prepping, food storage, and healthy recipes. If you havent signed up yet, contact your county 4 h. This project can help you take better care of your birds through the experience of feeding, watering, and monitoring your animals health.
This record sheet is used in judging the 4h poultry project more. Young people enrolled in 4 h poultry clubs, operated by their state cooperative extension services, learn about caring for birds and participate in specific poultry projects. You should aim to complete at least one project book each 4h year. Purpose learn how to brood, feed, and care for chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, pheasants, or other wild game birds.
This beginners guide will walk you through how to order chickens, when to order chickens, chicken supplies, chicken feed, how to treat coccidiosis in. The 4h guide raising chickens book, is very informative and will help anyone with no idea how to care for chickens, i am beyond satisfied with the book. She said it was a great idea and, as the vp, she wants me to head it off. Most 4h members show a male and female of the same breed as a pair but you may also show 2. Buy a cheap copy of 4h guide to raising chickens book by tara kindschi. Grooming your birds wash your chickens about two days prior to the show. Except for a few articles from specialists at ohio 4h youth development, these articles are from extension, a national organization dedicated to sharing researchbased information from americas landgrant universities, including the ohio state university. From selecting a breed to caring for chicks, from housing and fencing to feeding and preventing or treating illness, the guide presents simple, straightforward information about.
So i mentioned the idea of starting a market duck project to my club leader. Raising your own chickens for eggs can be a fun activity and supplies you and your family with the freshest eggs possible, but it can be a lot of work. Eggproducing hens have great personalities and quickly become tamed to the point that even young children are able to care for them. These soft and lovable animals rabbit raising is a good 4h project because it requires only a small investment and limited space. Are you interested in raising chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys. Raising backyard chickens can be a rewarding experience and a great way to teach kids about nature, agriculture and responsibility of caring for animals. Raising chickens teaches more than animal husbandry. H teaches kids life skills like hard work, respect and compassion to create positive change in their communities and the world. Well, a lot of our members are now becoming interested in ducks. For reliable, resourcebased online and print sources for information about poultry projects visit publications and. Judges ask questions regarding your knowledge of poultry husbandry and breeding. This video demonstrates how all 4h members and leaders should handle chickens for the safety of the birds and handlers. Poultry california 4h youth development program uc anr. Information on showing chickens with 4h animals mom.
In the poultry project you can explore poultry by learning about raising birds and dive into health issues, poultry products and careers. Follow us on our journey to become more selfreliant. If you havent signed up yet, contact your county 4h. Are you searching for tips about raising chickens in winter rabbit raising is a good 4h project because it requires only a small investment and limited space. These soft and lovable animals rabbit raising is a good 4 h project because it requires only a small investment and limited space. Its a handson chance to learn the character and communitybuilding principles and practices. Showing 4h chickens involves careful bathing prior to the event, but it also means practicing the correct way to handle your birds for judging. Members should decide whether they want to raise rabbits for meat, fur, wool, laboratory use, or showing, and select the best breed for the. To acquire an understanding of poultry production by preparing for, purchasing, breeding, caring for, and keeping records on one or more chickens or other poultry species as a part of a 4 h project. Its a hands on chance to learn the character and communitybuilding principles and practices that 4 h is all about. The following record keeping forms can help you keep a record of your activities. My son showed hatchery chickens last year in 4h, jr open and open shows at our county fair and did very well. The 4 h poultry program is part of the animal science project. It also shows how to hand a bird to others and change hands while holding the bird in a safe and effective manner.
A college course on raising backyard chickens its important to carefully consider breeds and your circumstances when selecting your flock. My 4h clubs members used to own 99% chickens, with 1% ducks. To help students understand that organisms have basic needs that need to be met in order to survive. Either way, chickens can give you joy, a sense of fulfillment, and eggs. This book and other ohio state university extension, 4h youth development publications. Youth will also complete a 4h poultry project record book. Beginners guide to raising and showing chickens, dvd. If you show your chickens for 4h, its not just the birds on display. Chickens can be seen as pets andor a source of food.