4-H Youth Poultry
Poultry-related activities provide a wide range of learning opportunities for youth.
There are several low-cost poultry projects that require very little space, making them suitable for those interested in animal science but don't have the resources to keep a cow, sheep or pig. There are also large-scale poultry projects (e.g., managing a breeder flock), but no matter the cost of the birds or the facilities used, they have the same learning value.
Projects
4-H projects provide youth and their families with diverse learning environments - poultry are an excellent model to teach nutrition, physiology, genetics, record keeping, production and health management. Participation in competitive events teaches sportsmanship and character. Because a poultry project involves living creatures, it requires regular care and management, developing these life skills in participants.
Activities
4-H activities include the raising of poultry for meat, eggs or sport (i.e., for release in hunting preserves, racing pigeons, etc). Several judging and demonstration contests are available, including poultry judging, egg preparation demonstrations and chicken/turkey barbecues. Top seniors at the state level can continue to compete in nationwide contests.
Curricula
Original educational materials developed for the classroom sponsored by the Kentucky Egg Council and the US Poultry & Egg Association. The material has been updated and reformatted into 4-H curriculum.
- The Egg and I - Binder Cover Page
- Chapter 1 - Composition of the Egg
- Chapter 2 - Egg Quality & Sizing
- Chapter 3 - Egg Safety & Handling
- Chapter 4 - Nutrition
- Chapter 5 - Cooking Methods
- Chapter 6 - Good For Your Health
- Chapter 7 - Cholesterol
- Chapter 8 - Basic Egg Facts
- Chapter 9 - General Egg Questions
- Chapter 10 - Egg Production
- Chapter 11 - Recipes
- Chapter 12 - Worksheets
- Chapter 13 - Experiments
- Chapter 14 - Easter
- Chapter 15 - Chicken
- Chapter 16 - Powerpoint
- Chapter 17 - Ordering Materials
- Egg and I Powerpoint Presentation PDF
With a grant from US Poultry and Egg as well as the Kentucky Poultry Federation, five lessons were developed to teach Grade 3-5 (and older) students on the nutritive, flexible and economical value of chicken.
- Contents - List of Resources Available
- Lesson 1 - Why include protein in your diet? (zip)
- Lesson 2 - Why include chicken in your diet? (zip)
- Lesson 3 - What do all those labels mean? (zip)
- Lesson 4 - Chicken meat product - how is it done? (zip)
- Lesson 5 - Chicken meat production - the facts (zip)
If you have any questions, contact Dr. Jacquie Jacob.
