Poultry

Facebook Group: 4H Poultry Tippecanoe County

MANUALS

• Level 1, Scratching the Surface - grades 3 - 5

• Level 2, Testing Your Wings - grades 6 - 8

• Level 3, Flocking Together - grades 9 - 12

• Pigeon Resource Manual—All divisions

• Pigeon Record Sheet—According to grade

EXHIBIT OPTIONS

Exhibit Options: Members may choose to exhibit any combination of live animals, a poster and\or present a Project Interact detailing some aspect of the project.   The poster and Project Interact options may be in place of or in addition to the live animal exhibit.   For information on Animal Posters please see the guidelines under the Animal Education project section of this handbook.  Poster projects are entered during pre-fair judging weeks.  Please refer to the pre-fair schedule for specific dates and times for Animal Education check-in.  Members wishing to give a Project Interact are to setup a suitable time with the project superintendent(s).

GENERAL RULES

1. All 4-H members are expected to follow the rules as set forth in the “4-H General Policy” section of the 4-H Handbook.

2. Members must enroll in the Poultry Project during open enrollment and no later than allowed by 4-H rules outlined in the handbook.

3. All poultry will be judges based on the American Standards of Perfection and the judge’s decision is final.

4. It is highly recommended that all posters sight references on the back. If you are including your own photos, please indicate who took the photos.

OWNERSHIP RULES

1. Poultry entered at the 4-H fair must be owned, raised and cared for by the 4-H member.

2. There is no set date by which exhibition birds must be owned: however, it is highly recommended that birds be hatched by February 1 to be competitive at the fair, except as specified for commercial class birds. Poultry must be in the possession of, and being cared for by the 4-H member no later than May 15th for all exhibition classes.

RECORD RULES

1. Poultry animal and poster registration is to be completed online using the Fair Entry web site no later than July 1 (or as instructed by the 4-H Educators and/or project Superintendent). If you do not register, you will not be able to show at the county fair. It is the exhibitor’s responsibility to correctly complete the breed information on the online registration. The superintendents will assist, but will not be held accountable if birds are misclassified in such a way that a bird is disqualified and/or the outcome of judging is affected.

2. The 4-Her must complete three activities from the Poultry Manual before the fair. This manual MUST be turned in when the animals are checked in at the 4-H Fair. If not turned in, you WILL NOT show. See beginning for manuals. Members who are in his/her 10th year and have been in poultry project at least three years do not have to complete project manual.

3. Chicken, Turkey, and Guinea exhibitors must present proof of blood test or NPIP number upon check-in at county fair. (See health section below for blood test rules.)

4. A pen fee will be charged at check in, as set forth by the Exhibit Association. The amount will be announced prior to check in.

5. STATE FAIR PARTICIPANTS: Your blood test paperwork must be brought to the Indiana State Fair if showing chickens or turkeys. (Guinea are not State Fair eligible)

BARN RULES

1. Cage CLEANLINESS is the member’s responsibility. If birds are not taken care of, you may be disqualified in cooperation of the Superintendent, Extension Educator, and Exhibit Association Executive Board Member.

2. Birds must be fed and watered at least twice per day. The barn gets very hot with little air circulation. It is the 4-H member or appointed family member’s responsibility to assure his/her animals are cared for.

3. Poultry members are limited to 16 birds across all classes.

4. Animal must remain in their cages until the start of the published check-out time. They are not to be placed in carriers before this time for the well-being of the animal. Any exhibitor removing poultry before checkout time on Thursday without the prior written permission of the superintendent and the 4-H Extension Educator will forfeit all premium money and will not be allowed to show the next year.

5. All birds going to the Auction will need their own carrier/pen.

6. ONLY the champion broilers, roasters, turkeys and commercial waterfowl will be taken to auction.  Should a 4-H exhibitor win more than one class and/or species, it will be up to that 4-H exhibitor to decide which animal will be sold at the auction. The reserve champion in the class not chosen will then be given the opportunity to sell in the auction. Auction animals remain on the fairgrounds and penned as directed by Auction Committee Care of these birds is solely the responsibility of the exhibitor.

7. Barn curfew of 11:00 p.m. will be enforced by Fair Board, Exhibit Association, Night watch and Superintendents as per 4-H rules.

8. Only the judge and 4-H members whose birds are being judges will be allowed in the aisles during the show (unless the 4-H member requires adult/mentor assistance).

9. Guineas come for the day of their show only and then return home afterwards.    

HEALTH RULES

1. NO WET, DISEASED OR INFESTED BIRDS ACCEPTED. Any birds with outward signs of lice, mites, or other parasites will not be allowed to check-in. All birds subject to inspection by superintendent(s) if bird health is in question.

2. Blood testing of birds is required by Indiana State Board of Animal Health and must be performed by a NPIP Certified Blood Test agent. Birds requiring blood tests are all chickens except meat birds which have not integrated with birds already in coop, guinea fowl, and turkeys. Waterfowl and pigeons are not required to be blood tested.

3. All 4-H exhibitors must receive his/her Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certification. More information can be found at yqca.org or through the Extension Office. If this is not complete prior to check in, you cannot exhibit animals.

EXHIBIT RULES (CLASS DESCRIPTIONS BELOW)

1. Commercial Egg Layer Classes: Entries are limited to two entries per class per exhibitor; but may show in more than one class. For example, a member may enter two hens in the White Egg Layer Hen class; then, exhibit one of the hens in the respective breed class.

2. Broiler and Roaster entries will be weighed at check-in. Exhibitors may only enter one pair of birds per class (See class 5 and class 6 for details).

3. Exhibition and Bantam Classes: Entries are limited within a class to one entry per age classification (1 cock, 1 hen, 1 cockerel, 1 pullet maximum per class).

4. All poultry will be judged based on American Standards of Perfection.

5. The judge’s decision is final.

Commercial Turkey Division

A 4-H’er may enter one (1) bird per class for a total of four (4) birds (not to exceed 16 birds total across all divisions and all classes). Birds will be judged according to the American Standard of Perfection.

Commercial Turkey classes will be:

Young Hen - a female bird younger than one (1) year at time of show

Old Hen - a female bird older than one (1) year at time of show

Young Tom - a male bird younger than one (1) year at time of show

Old Tom - a male bird older than one (1) year at time of show

Champion and Reserve Champion will be awarded for Commercial Turkey. The Champion Commercial Turkey may sell in the livestock auction. Should the exhibitor chose not to sell the Champion Commercial Turkey, the Reserve Champion may sell in the auction. Should neither of these exhibitors chose to sell a turkey in the auction, no turkey will participate in the auction. This is a slaughter only auction.

Commercial Chicken Division

Exhibit Rule #1: Birds may be exhibited in only one (1) class in any given year.

Exhibit Rule #2: Each member may make one (1) entry of two (2) birds per class for a total of eight (8) birds in the Commercial Chicken Class.

Exhibit Rule #3: Each exhibitor may have two (2) roasters and two (2) broilers, which will be included in the total of eight (8) birds for the commercial class.

Exhibit Rule #4: Each 4-H’er may make one (1) entry of six (6) eggs per class for a total of 18 eggs (three [3] cartons).

Exhibit Rule #5: Roaster and Broiler weigh in will be done at check in by a poultry superintendent.

Description of Birds

Pullets - two (2) female birds less than 12 months old at day of show

Hens - two (2) female birds older than 12 months old at day of show

Broilers - two (2) birds of the same sex, six (6) to eight (8) weeks of age and not over 5 ½ pounds at time of check in

Roasters - two (2) birds of the same sex, six (6) to eight (8) weeks of age and not over 5 ½ pounds, but not more than ten (10) pounds at time of check in. Any birds over 10 pounds will be disqualified.

Eggs - six (6) eggs displayed in a carton (preferably cardboard). Eggs will be disposed of by the superintendents after judging.

Commercial Chicken classes will be:

Class 1 White Egg Shell Pullets

Class 2 White Egg Shell Hens

Class 3 Brown Egg Shell Pullets

Class 4 Brown Egg Shell Hens

Class 5 Roasters

Class 6 Broilers

Class 7 White Shell Chicken Eggs

Class 8 Brown Shell Chicken Eggs

Class 9 All Other Eggs

Awards will be presented for: Champion and Reserve White Egg Shell layer; Champion and Reserve Brown Egg Shell layer; Champion and Reserve Champion Egg Type Chicken; Champion Roaster; Reserve Grand Champion Roaster; Champion Broiler; Reserve Grand Champion Broiler; Champion White Egg Shell Chicken Eggs; Champion Brown Shell Chicken Eggs; Champion All Other Eggs.

The Champion Roaster and Champion Broiler pens may sell at the livestock auction. Should the exhibitor chose not to sell the champion, the Reserve Champion exhibitor may sell in the auction. Should neither exhibitor chose to sell birds in the auction, no roaster or broiler pens will participate in the livestock auction. This is a slaughter only auction.

Commercial Waterfowl Division

A 4-H member may enter a maximum of two (2) waterfowl per class for a total of eight (8) birds (not to exceed 16 birds total across all divisions and classes). Birds will be judged according to the American Standard of Perfection.

Description of Birds

Young Duck and Young Goose - female bird less than one (1) year of age day of show

Old Duck and Old Goose - female bird one (1) year old or more day of show

Young Drake and Young Gander - male bird less than one (1) year old day of show

Old Drake and Old Gander - male bird one (1) year old or more the day of show

Commercial Duck Classes will be:

Class 1- Pekin Duck all ages and genders

Class 2 - All Other (Muscovy, Mule) all ages and genders

Commercial Geese Classes will be:

Class 1 - Embden Geese all ages and genders

Class 2 - All Other (Grey Toulouse, the African, the small White Chinese and Brown Chinese) all ages and genders

Awards will be presented for Champion and Reserve Champion Commercial Duck and Champion and Reserve Champion Commercial Geese. The Champion Commercial Duck and Champion Commercial Goose may sell at the livestock auction. Should the exhibitor chose not to sell the champion, the Reserve Champion exhibitor may sell in the auction. Should neither exhibitor chose to sell birds in the auction, no Commercial Waterfowl will participate in the livestock auction. This is a slaughter only auction.

Exhibition Waterfowl Division

A 4-H member may enter a maximum of four (4) ducks per class and two (2) geese per class (not to exceed 16 birds total across all divisions and classes). Birds will be judged according to the American Standard of Perfection.

Description of Birds

Young Duck and Young Goose - female bird less than one (1) year of age day of show

Old Duck and Old Goose - female bird one (1) year old or more day of show

Young Drake and Young Gander - male bird less than one (1) year old day of show

Old Drake and Old Gander - male bird one (1) year old or more the day of show

Exhibition Waterfowl Classes will be:

Class 1 - Heavy Weight Ducks (Pekin, Aylesbury, Rouen, etc.)

Class 2 - Medium Weight Ducks (Cayuga, Crested, Blue Swedish, Buff, etc.)

Class 3 - Light Weight Ducks (Welsh Harlequin, etc.)

Class 4 - Bantam Ducks (Call, East India, Mallard, etc.)

Class 5 - Heavy Weight Geese (Toulouse, Embden, African)

Class 6 - Medium Weight Geese (Sebastopol, Pilgrim, Buff, Pomeranian)

Class 7 - Light Weight Geese (Brown China, White China, Tufted Roman, etc.)

Champion and Reserve will be awarded for each class. Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Waterfowl will be awarded and Grand Champion will be considered for Best in Show.

Large Fowl Exhibition Chicken Division

A 4-H member may exhibit one (1) pullet, one (1) hen, one (1) cockerel, and one (1) cock per class not to exceed 16 birds total across all divisions and classes. For example, a 4-H’er may exhibit four birds per class - one pullet, one hen, one cockerel and one cock (but not two of the same age). Birds will be judged according to the American Standard of Perfection.

Description of Birds

Cock: male bird over one (1) year of age on show day

Cockerel: male bird younger than one (1) year of age on show day

Pullet: female bird younger than one (1) year of age at show day

Hen: female bird older than one year (1) year of age at show day

Large Fowl Exhibition Chicken classes will be:

Class 1 - American Large Fowl

Class 2 - Asiatic Large Fowl

Class 3 - Continental Large Fowl

Class 4 - English Large Fowl

Class 5 - Mediterranean Large Fowl

Class 6 - All Other Large Fowl

Class 7 - Modern Game (all varieties)

Champion and Reserve will be awarded for each class. Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Large Fowl will be awarded and Grand Champion will be considered for Best in Show.

Bantam Exhibition Chicken Division

A 4-H member may exhibit one (1) pullet, one (1) hen, one (1) cockerel, and one (1) cock per class not to exceed 16 birds total across all divisions and classes. For example, a 4-H’er may exhibit four birds per class - one pullet, one hen, one cockerel and one cock (but not two of the same age). Birds will be judged according to the American Standard of Perfection.

Description of Birds:

Cock: male bird over one (1) year of age on show day

Cockerel: male bird younger than one (1) year of age on show day

Pullet: female bird younger than one (1) year of age at show day

Hen: female bird older than one year (1) year of age at show day

Bantam Exhibition Chicken classes will be:

Class 1 - Modern Game Bantam

Class 2 - Old English Game Bantam

Class 3 - Single Comb Clean Legged Other Than Game Bantam

Class 4 - Rosecomb Clean Legged Bantam

Class 5 - All Other Comb Clean Legged Bantam

Class 6 - Feather Legged Bantam

Champion and Reserve will be awarded for each class. Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Bantam will be awarded and Grand Champion will be considered for Best in Show.

GUINEA FOWL CLASS

Lavendar, White, and Pearl are the only APA recognized varieties and will all compete in one class. Champion and Reserve will be awarded and Champion will be considered for Best in Show.

All Guinea Fowl will only be on the fairgrounds on the day of the show. Please see updated fair schedule in late spring for more details. Due to the loudness of the Guinea birds, this rule is for the safety and comfort of all other animals and fair visitors. These will be the only birds released on before the end of the fair as per Poultry Project and 4-H Livestock rules.

PIGEON CLASSES

Class 1 Fancy Breeds

Class 2 Utility Breeds

Class 3 Sporting & Performance Breeds

Champion and Reserve Champion to be awarded to each class if a given class has three or more entries. Overall Grand Champion/Reserve Grand Champion to be awarded for pigeons. Grand Champion may be considered for Best in Show.