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Frequently Asked Questions

What poultry project opportunities are offered to 4-H youth?

Many activities are available to the 4-H youth interested in a poultry activity. Activities include the raising of poultry to produce meat or eggs and the entry of the records in a competition with other 4-H poultry projects. Several judging and demonstration contests are available including junior and senior Poultry Judging Contests, Egg Preparation Contests for seniors, Visual Presentations and Chicken Barbecue Contests for junior and senior age youth. Winners at the state level can continue competition in nationwide contests. More details in these activities can be obtained by referring to the 4-H Poultry Leader Guide or any of the publications directed toward a specific activity.

I have show birds that I want to exhibit. How do I get them ready?

Four-H members expecting to make creditable showings in poultry shows must prepare their exhibits prior to show time. Birds not properly selected and prepared for the show will not, as a rule, get very far in a competitive show. Good exhibits stand out and are a credit to the exhibitor. See Selecting and Preparing Birds for Exhibition.

How do I care for newly hatched chicks?

A series of short newsletters are available for the novice who is caring for chicks for the first time. The newsletters are easily read and are arranged in sequence from preparing of the facilities until the birds mature. Refer to the publication Grow Healthy Chicks for basic information on caring for growing chicks.

How are Chicks Brooded?

The day-old chick's temperature is about 3° F below that of an adult's. Its body temperature starts rising about 4 days of age and reaches its maximum at 10 days. The chick needs time to develop temperature control (2 to 4 weeks). As the chick grows older, the downy coat is replaced with feathers, and brooder temperature must be reduced according tothe temperature schedule.

Brooding Temperature Schedule

Age, days Brooder temperature
    °F  
  Summer   Winter
1-7 90 to 95
8-14 85 to 90
5-21 80 to 85
22-28 75 to 80
29-35 70 to 75
36 to market   70  

Under this brooding schedule, the brooding temperature is reduced 5 °F each week. At 5 weeks of age, chicks maintain their own body temperatures if the room temperature is kept near 70 degrees.

Use lower brooding temperatures during warm months. Most poultry houses are not tight enough to maintain these temperatures constantly in winter. Insure adequate warmth in winter by using the higher brooding temperature; when cold nights cool the house, chicks are likely to have enough warmth.

In contrast to what many think, the most frequent error observed when brooding in the South is overheating rather than too little heat. Many producers need to learn proper brooding to reduce losses.

Check the comfort of the chicks several times each day, especially in the evening. Make adjustments to maintain chick comfort. Contented peeping and even distribution of chicks around and under the brooder indicate comfortable conditions. If the chicks chirp and huddle to one side of the brooder, there is a draft. When the temperature is too cold, the chicks chirp sharply and huddle together under the brooder. If the chicks move away from the brooder, pant, and are drowsy, the temperature is too warm.

Are there any suggested exhibits for science projects that involve the incubation of chicken eggs?

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Publications

Publication Number: P3934
Publication Number: P1150
Publication Number: P0900

News

Chickens feed inside a fenced enclosure.
Filed Under: Youth Poultry, Poultry April 20, 2022

Farm supply stores are full of cute chicks in the spring, and the sight of the fluffy baby birds, combined with future dreams of fresh eggs, prompts many people to impulsively start a backyard flock.

White chickens gather at a feeder.
Filed Under: Youth Poultry, Poultry April 18, 2022

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Keeping buffalo wings on menus is a supply chain issue that goes all the way back to procedures farm workers follow to protect the health of commercially grown chickens.

An illustration depicts a large yellow chick with a graph showing the number of Salmonella outbreaks since 2000 and includes text instructions to wash hands after handling backyard poultry.
Filed Under: Youth Poultry, Agriculture, Livestock, Poultry March 30, 2018

Baby chickens are so cute and cuddly that few people can resist holding them. Unfortunately, as public interest in raising backyard birds has grown so has the number of Salmonella outbreaks in the U.S. (Photo by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Success Stories

A man standing inside in front of the Southern AgCredit wordmark on a wall.
Volume 9 Number 2

The 4-H Poultry Chain Project regularly receives generous donations from organizations across the state, but the project has never received a donation quite like Southern AgCredit’s pledge of $25,000 over 5 years.

A young boy throws a rope toward a fake bull with the help of an older man standing behind him.
Volume 5 Number 2

When FARMtastic makes its rounds over South Mississippi, residents, businesses, schools, and community organizations come together to ensure that participants have a great time.

A young woman with brown hair and a pink shirt stands smiling while holding a black and white speckled chicken next to her face.
Volume 4 Number 3

When Emma Grace McGrew became Mississippi’s 2017 Miss Hospitality, a year of exciting experiences awaited the former Prentiss County 4-H’er and self-proclaimed country girl.

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Your Extension Experts

Portrait of Dr. Jessica Benoit Wells
Assistant Teaching Professor