Poultry Senior Project Guide

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Georgia 4-H Project Achievement empowers young people with skills for a lifetime. Through a competitive process, students explore their interests, unleash their creativity, share their work, and celebrate their achievements! This guide provides 9th – 12th graders with examples for getting started with their project exploration.

Overview of Project Achievement Process

1) Choose project
2) Develop skills in leadership and service
3) Prepare portfolio for work completed from January 1 – December 31
4) Prepare presentation
5) Practice
6) Compete
7) Reflect

Description of Poultry Project

4-H’ers may explore the poultry industry including establishing and managing poultry enterprises, by-products, and end-products. Through this project 4-H’ers may:

• learn about and acquire skills for animal selection, breeding, feeding,
care, production, management, ownership, exhibition, marketing, byproducts, and end-products of poultry
• discover the industry’s current and historic roles, scope, contributions of
science, environmental and societal impacts, and economic significance
• explore equipment and safety protocols of animal care and production
• learn about the production, management, and distribution of eggs
• identify the degree of quality and their importance in human nutrition of
poultry and eggs
• demonstrate sound breeding, feeding, and management practices on the
home farm and in the community
• study bio-security of the poultry and egg industry and food supply
• understand the role of veterinary care of poultry
• explore career opportunities related to the poultry and egg industry

Examples of Project Development Experiences

• Attend Avian Adventures, specialty camps, field days, poultry shows, etc.
• Tour a broiler house, laying hen house, and/or feed stores
• Acquire and read books, trade magazines, pamphlets, and online media about the industry
• Raise chickens and learn how to properly grade eggs
• Participate in 4-H Poultry Judging
• Design an efficient coop
• Interview a poultry producer and discuss industry matters
• Shadow a poultry industry representative, veterinarian, and/or animal scientist

Project Sharing and Helping Examples

• Volunteer as a teen leader and assist in coaching a poultry judging team
• Host a poultry judging clinic for youth and community members
• Deliver a presentation about the economic trends of poultry for community members, schools, civic groups, etc.
• Hold a poultry feeding and management demonstration
• Start a Poultry and Egg Science project club and lead meetings to share your knowledge with others
• Arrange for industry speakers to discuss agricultural issues with community members
• Demonstrate your work through presentations and exhibits at schools, civic clubs, senior homes, chambers of commerce, etc.
• Write news articles, blogs, or social media posts about your project and your accomplishments
• Set up poultry product exhibits at fairs, libraries, or festivals
• Organize an agricultural tour or farm day for youth
• Create a game about chickens and share with others
• Lead a group tour, summit, or adventure focusing on poultry
• Mentor a younger 4-H’er in the Poultry and Egg Science project

Special Considerations

• Actual animal exhibiting is not a requirement of this project.
• This project can address any issue related to the production of poultry and eggs. Members may gain experience in a number of ways, such as assisting with the management of a flock/brood, raising animals, studying processing and marketing, etc.
• Youth should practice internet safety. A best practice is to include a friend or parent in all communications and interactions.
• Be sure to gain land owner permission prior to entering someone else’s property.
• Exercise safety when handling tools, animals, and equipment.
• Live animals and weapons are not permitted in the presentation.

Recommended Resources

• georgia4h.org/ProjectAchievement
• georgia4h.org/programs/focus-areas/agriculture-stem/agriculture/livestock-and-animal-projects/
• extension.uga.edu/agriculture/animals
• agr.georgia.gov/news/industry-news
• agr.georgia.gov
• usda.gov/farming-and-ranching/animal-science/animal-reports-and-data
• gapf.org
• uspoultry.org/

At Competition

Poultry 4-H projects may use posters, artifacts, biofacts, and/or technology to support their presentation.

The time limit for presentations is 12 minutes.

Computers, projectors, screens, and other technological devices may be used.

Prepared by: Jason Estep, Keri Hobbs, and Gabrielle Buono
Reviewed by: Heather Shultz, Craven Hudson, and Claire Woodard