4-H Poultry Chain Project Guide

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The 4-H Poultry Chain Project gives youths in the state of Mississippi the opportunity to expand their knowledge of poultry management practices and develop life skills while understanding the importance of the poultry industry to the U.S. After participating in the project, participants will have developed basic poultry management skills and awareness of diseases, as well as valuable life skills including time management, planning, communication, and responsibility.

Poultry is Mississippi’s top agricultural commodity. An agricultural commodity is a product from a source of agriculture. The 4-H Poultry Chain Project provides youth across the state with opportunities to understand more about agriculture through a hands-on learning program, showcase their final product, and compete against other participants across the state. Participants will learn basic management practices such as brooding temperatures, how to correctly feed and provide water to birds, and the importance of biosecurity. Also, participants gain an understanding of the different breeds of chickens, how to care for and handle eggs, how to process their own birds, the importance of recordkeeping, and more. As the leading agricultural commodity in the state, youth can learn the art of raising birds firsthand and expand their knowledge of the ever-growing industry.

The project allows participants to raise birds to sexual maturity while maintaining a record book of their progress. At the end of the project, junior and senior participants will choose their top 3 birds to compete in the poultry show at the Mississippi State Fair. Once they are at the state show, participants are judged on their record books and pen of birds. There is also an optional showmanship category.

All 4-H’ers are eligible to participate in the Poultry Chain Project. Cloverbuds are allowed to participate and compete at the county level, while junior and senior 4-H participants are eligible to compete at both the county and state levels.

First things first, participants must choose their category of bird. There are two categories: the Meat Category and the Layer Category. Participants can choose from either of the two categories, but they can register and show in only one category. Based on the category, participants must then choose their breed preference. It is also acceptable to choose a breed first, which will determine the category.

It is important that the selected breed is on the list of qualifying breeds. If the breed is not on the list, the participant will be disqualified from the event.

For more information on how to choose the breed that best fits your goals for the project, see MSU Extension Publication 3036 Choosing the Right Breed for Your Backyard Flock.

The information given here is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products, trade names, or suppliers are made with the understanding that no endorsement is implied and that no discrimination against other products or suppliers is intended.

Publication 3982 (POD-02-26)

By Tannah Christensen, Extension Instructor, Poultry Science, Jessica Wells, PhD, Assistant Teaching Professor, Poultry Science, Jonathan Moon, Extension Instructor, Poultry Science, and Peyton Taylor, Graduate Student, Agricultural Science.