N.C. Cooperative Extension’s North Central District (NCD), comprised of 20 counties, hosts an annual poultry project for 4-H members ages 5-18 to help teach youth responsibility, animal husbandry, and money management.  This project is an opportunity for youth to learn more about the livestock industry through raising and showing laying hens.  Once registered, youth must attend required training about raising chicks.  They then receive five-week-old chicks that they raise and nurture.  They must complete a project record book detailing what they learned, how they cared for their chickens, and document their experience, in order to participate in the show.  This is a long-term project, encompassing six months from start to finish, plus the youth retain ownership of the hens at the project completion.

The NCD 4-H Poultry Show was held on Saturday, March 15 at the Forsyth County Center.  Thirteen 4-H members from seven counties participated in the show.  Youth competed in showmanship, where they presented one hen to the judge.  The judge asked them questions about their bird, their care of the bird, bird health, anatomy, etc.  Youth also competed in a breed show.  There were two breeds in the show:  New Hampshire and Silver Laced Wyandottes.  All birds were the same age.  The judge examined a pen of three birds and judged the birds on production, or laying ability on that day.  The judge for the show was Mark Paylor, NCA&T Poultry Unit Coordinator.

Showmanship

• Evie Hane, Davidson County
• Kyplee Kelly, Yadkin County
• Rylee Meyers, Forsyth County

1. Eli Myers, Forsyth County
2. Jaycee Hicks, Stokes County
3. Addi Kelly, Yadkin County
4. Ariana Cranston, Forsyth County

1. Ella Lucas, Alleghany County
2. Emmalee Call, Wilkes County
3. Jase Bridges, Davidson County

1. Fortino Cruz Castillo, Rockingham County
2. Sofia Cranston, Forsyth County
3. Jaxon Hicks, Stokes County

Breed Show

Grand Champion - Jaycee Hicks, Stokes County

Reserve Champion - Ariana Cranston, Forsyth County

Silver Laced Wyandotte Breed Show

Grand Champion - Jaxon Hicks, Stokes County

Reserve Champion - Addi Kelly, Yadkin County

Project Record Books

• Rylee Meyers, Forsyth County

1. Ariana Cranston, Forsyth County
2. Addi Kelly, Yadkin County
3. Jaycee Hicks, Stokes County
4. Brynn Dowd, Surry County
5. Eli Myers, Forsyth County

1. Ella Lucas, Alleghany County
2. Emmalee Call, Wilkes County
3. Jase Bridges, Davidson County

1. Jaxon Hicks, Stokes County
2. Evie Dowd, Surry County
3. Sofia Cranston, Forsyth County
4. Fortino Cruz Castillo, Rockingham County

For more information regarding the NCD 4-H Poultry Project visit:  https://go.ncsu.edu/ncdpoultryrabbitshow or contact your County 4-H Extension Agent for more information later this summer.