Poultry is designed to help youth learn about chickens and other poultry. This project will help youth understand the poultry industry and its role in agriculture and the economy. Youth wishing to enroll in Market Poultry or Breeding Poultry must also be enrolled in Level 1, 2 or 3.

Poultry, Level 1

Enroll in Market and/or Breeding in ZSuite.

In level one, youth learn about poultry and egg parts, breeds, costs to raise poultry, how to prepare for chicks, how to care for and handle birds, how to select pullets, show poultry and more. Through their work at this level, youth will learn how to speak to groups, work with others, make decisions, take risks, plan, organize and be responsible.

Complete a minimum of seven activities and three learning experiences each year to complete this project. It may take three years to complete this level.

Poultry, Level 2

Enroll in Market and/or Breeding in ZSuite.

At this level, youth learn about egg production, the skeletal structure of birds, pecking orders, and how to: select and judge broilers, recognize a healthy flock, prevent diseases in poultry flocks, select breeding pens, read a feed tag, make an egg candler, and build a budget.

Complete a minimum of seven activities and three learning experiences each year to complete this project. It may take three years to complete this level.

Poultry, Level 3

Enroll in Market and/or Breeding in ZSuite.

At this level, youth learn how to organize a judging clinic, manage a laying flock, understand how genetics influence poultry characteristics, handle poultry products safely, process chickens for food and learn about advances in biotechnology and careers in the poultry industry.

Complete a minimum of seven activities and three learning experiences each year to complete this project. It may take three years to complete this level.