Something Egg-citing This Way Comes!

Hello 4-H Poultry Project Families,

October is here, and there is plenty happening in the Poultry Project over the next few months! Our first clinic is now behind us, but we still have another clinic, several upcoming open shows, the Fur & Feather Show and Silent Auction, and important project deadlines ahead.

A quick reminder about communication: please make sure you are reading these monthly emails. They are our primary way of sharing upcoming deadlines, clinics, meetings, shows, important reminders, and schedule changes, and they will help keep you up to date throughout the year. However, these emails only go out once a month, so they cannot include every update as it happens. Be sure to check the Pima County Poultry Project website regularly for the most current information, including changes, newly added events, registration information, and updated dates.

Website & Premium Book

As we get further into the project year, please continue to use the Pima County Poultry Project Website as your main resource for project information, calendars, deadlines, and paperwork.

The Poultry Premium Book is available under the Paperwork section of the website. While we will continue to send reminders about important deadlines and events, the Premium Book contains the official rules and requirements for the year. If you have a question about fair rules, project requirements, deadlines, or what is allowed, please check the Premium Book first.

Remember that there were several changes and clarifications made this year, so even returning exhibitors should make sure they have read the current version.

Bird Donations Needed for the Fur & Feather Silent Auction

We are still looking for donations for the Silent Auction at the Fur & Feather Show on November 7th!

We are looking for donations of single female birds, pairs consisting of one male and one female, trios consisting of one male and two females, and poultry-related items. The more birds and items we receive, the better the auction will be, so we are really hoping our poultry families, breeders, and supporters can help us fill the auction with great donations.

All proceeds from the auction help support the Pima County Poultry Project and our members. Donations help us provide clinics, educational opportunities, awards, prizes, and other resources throughout the year.

Please note that we are unable to house, foster, or hold donated birds before the event. Any poultry donations must be brought directly to the Fur & Feather Show on the day of the event.

If you have birds or poultry-related items you would like to donate, please let us know!

We will also need volunteers to help with setup, teardown, check-in, and running the auction. Any help is appreciated.

Looking Ahead: October–December

Small Stock Meetings

Our next Small Stock Meeting will be held on Monday, October 12th at 6:30 PM at the Pima County Extension Office, located at 4210 North Campbell Avenue at Roger Road.

Small Stock Meetings are open to all 4-H and FFA members, parents, leaders, and anyone interested in the Small Stock projects. They are an opportunity to receive updates, ask questions, and stay involved with the project.

A Reminder About Participation

All of our clinics and shows are open to youth who would like to attend, learn, and participate. You do not have to be enrolled in the Pima County Poultry Project to take part in the clinics or most of the shows held throughout the year.

However, participation in the Pima County Fair in April is limited to members of Pima County 4-H and Pima County FFA who meet the fair eligibility requirements.

Clinics

Our second Poultry Clinic will be held on Saturday, October 24th, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, at the University of Arizona Campus Agricultural Center Mobile Building, located at 4101 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719.

This clinic will focus on showmanship and will cover the different styles that may be seen when competing at shows. While we often see one particular style used in Southern Arizona, judges from around the country may have different expectations. We want members to be prepared for whatever a judge may ask of them.

Members are encouraged to bring their showmanship birds, as there will be practice time following the educational portion of the clinic. No pre-registration is required. Just make sure to sign in when you arrive so you receive attendance credit and are entered into the end-of-year raffle.

As a reminder, parents should leave chairs and tables available for members first, as seating can be limited, and all birds wait outside.

Shows

The first show available for attendance credit is coming up at the end of the month. The Apache County Poultry Show will be held on October 30th–31st. This is an open show, meaning it is not run by 4-H or FFA and is open to both youth and adult exhibitors. Registration is due by October 18th.

The Fur & Feather Show will follow on November 7th. This is a youth-only show focused on showmanship. Pre-Registration is open and due by October 31st.

Later in the month, the Tucson Fancy Fowl Show will be held on November 28th. This open show is another great opportunity to gain show experience, meet breeders, and work toward your required pre-fair event attendance.

Tucson Fancy Fowl is also looking for volunteers to help with setup and tear-down. If you need volunteer hours for your 4-H club, FFA chapter, school, or another organization, they are happy to sign off on the hours you serve.

Detailed information, registration links, and deadlines for upcoming shows will continue to be added to the Calendar page on the website.

Deadlines

Commercial Turkey orders are due by midnight on October 31st. The order form can be found on the Commercial Projects page of the website. For those participating in the Commercial Turkey Project, poults will be available for pickup in December. We will send out the exact pickup information once we receive it.

If you have not already completed your ZSuite enrollment, please make sure to do so. Check with your club leader to make sure you do not miss your club's deadline.

YQCA certification is due January 31st and is required to participate in fair. An in person certification will be held on November 2nd, at 7pm, at Twin Peaks Elementary in the cafeteria. This event should be a choice on the YQCA website. More in person events may be held in December and January at the Extension Office and when dates are announced they will be posted. In person YQCA events do no count towards poultry attendance.

Please email a copy of your completed certificate PDF to hello@pimacounty4hpoultry.org. If you do not receive a confirmation email that we received your certificate, something likely went wrong, and you should contact us or resend it. YQCA may be completed and submitted at any time between now and the deadline.

As a reminder, there will be no ownership paperwork required this year. Fair Registration will still be due by March 15th. Leg bands are still required but your birds' leg band numbers will now be recorded directly on your Fair Registration.

We hope to see everyone at the Showmanship Clinic and at some of the upcoming shows. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.