thecreekhouse
Songster
Hi. I am a backyard chicken enthusiast with one Cochin hen, 2 Ameracauna pullets (buff and splash) and an Olive Egger. I believe (as does my pullet’s breeder) that my buff Ameracauna appears to be of quality where it’s at least giving it a shot exhibiting her - even if it’s only just for fun.
I have two little girls ages 8 and 11 who are very interested in getting involved in 4-H showing (including showmanship) hens at poultry shows and state and county fairs. Unfortunately we feel at a total loss as to how to get started. When I showed dairy cattle and horses and did cattle and equine judging in 4-H as a girl myself, I was lucky enough to have a kind and experienced adult mentor for each area of exhibition. These awesome folks helped me learn the rules and standards of exhibition, directed me to the appropriate competitions, and taught me everything I needed to know about showmanship. As a result, I was very successful and had a huge amount of fun.
I have checked with the county extension agent where we live to find out whether there is a local 4-H poultry group but there isn’t one; there is only a 4-H livestock group in general, mixing poultry projects with sheep, goats, cattle and horses. In short, it seems that very little attention is given to bringing 4-Hers along with poultry knowledge and experience. The only 4-H poultry project that the 4-H extension agent has been able to tell me about is the annual “chick chain” project where 4-Hers take in 9-18 chicks in the spring and raise them to be sold at the state fair in the fall. We can’t participate in chick chain because our coop simply isn’t big enough to house 9-18 extra chicks for 6 months. So my question for all of you with experience in exhibiting poultry and possibly with 4-H poultry projects is how we can find a way to learn the ropes and get involved with 4-H poultry exhibition and showmanship. I feel like we really need a mentor but I have no idea how to find one. Do any of you have thoughts on any of this?
I have two little girls ages 8 and 11 who are very interested in getting involved in 4-H showing (including showmanship) hens at poultry shows and state and county fairs. Unfortunately we feel at a total loss as to how to get started. When I showed dairy cattle and horses and did cattle and equine judging in 4-H as a girl myself, I was lucky enough to have a kind and experienced adult mentor for each area of exhibition. These awesome folks helped me learn the rules and standards of exhibition, directed me to the appropriate competitions, and taught me everything I needed to know about showmanship. As a result, I was very successful and had a huge amount of fun.
I have checked with the county extension agent where we live to find out whether there is a local 4-H poultry group but there isn’t one; there is only a 4-H livestock group in general, mixing poultry projects with sheep, goats, cattle and horses. In short, it seems that very little attention is given to bringing 4-Hers along with poultry knowledge and experience. The only 4-H poultry project that the 4-H extension agent has been able to tell me about is the annual “chick chain” project where 4-Hers take in 9-18 chicks in the spring and raise them to be sold at the state fair in the fall. We can’t participate in chick chain because our coop simply isn’t big enough to house 9-18 extra chicks for 6 months. So my question for all of you with experience in exhibiting poultry and possibly with 4-H poultry projects is how we can find a way to learn the ropes and get involved with 4-H poultry exhibition and showmanship. I feel like we really need a mentor but I have no idea how to find one. Do any of you have thoughts on any of this?
Her first project was to be a piglet but due to some deadline issues will be showing 2 adorable Silkies this coming Feb. Yes it seem 4H is not what it was in "the old days" 
