Chillin’ With the Chickens

Snow place like the coop

Hello 4-H Poultry Project Families,

Happy New Year! As we settle into the new year, the Poultry Project is gearing up for months of learning, showing, and preparing for fair. The next few months are packed with important deadlines and events leading up to fair. Be sure to read carefully and mark your calendars so nothing sneaks up on you!

Websites

If you ever need to revisit information from earlier in the year, the Poultry Project Website continues to serve as the central hub for everything you need. The Blog section contains summaries of meetings and clinics, along with previous monthly updates, while the Paperwork section houses the Premium Book, all required fair forms, and other essential documents. The Events & Deadlines page is updated as details change or new opportunities appear, so checking it regularly will help you stay on track. We’re also continuing to grow the Arizona Youth Poultry Connection, a statewide directory that pairs qualified judges with clinics and shows, and we encourage anyone who knows potential contributors to help spread the word.

Reminders

Ownership paperwork is available starting today and must be submitted no later than January 31st in order to participate in the fair. These forms can be found on the Paperwork page of the website. YQCA certifications are also due by January 31st—please remember to email a copy of your certificate once completed.

Ducklings are anticipated to arrive the week of January 26th.

For those planning to raise Cornish Rock meat pen(s), eligible hatch dates begin February 23rd, with March 9th being the final day birds may hatch for fair entry. These chicks are not provided through the county and will need to be purchased independently. Please remember to add them to your ownership paperwork even if you do not have them in hand yet.

Fair registration opens on February 15th and will remain available until March 15th; please keep in mind that this process is separate from the ownership paperwork.

January – March Preview

Small Stock Meetings

Small Stock Meetings resume after the holiday break, with the next taking place on January 12th at 6:30 p.m. at the Extension Office on Campbell. These meetings are offered to anyone wanting to attend. They bring together leaders from the Cavy, Pigeon, Poultry, Dog, Rabbit, Pygmy Goat, and Dairy Goat projects to share updates, review upcoming events, and answer questions. The closer we get to fair the more information these meetings can give you. They are usually held on the second Monday of each month, though the dates occasionally shift, so it’s always a good idea to double-check before attending.

Poultry Clinics

Our next Poultry Clinic is scheduled for March 21st at the University of Arizona Campus Agricultural Center. This clinic is designed to help exhibitors get ready for fair, including what to expect, how to prepare your birds and equipment, and how to present yourself confidently in the ring.

Showmanship practice will follow the presentation. Please remember that showmanship is required at fair, so all exhibitors must have a designated showmanship bird that is in their ownership paperwork and one they are comfortable working with. By this point in the year, everyone should have selected that bird. Any members bringing birds should note that birds will remain outside with water until practice begins.

This clinic is also the final attendance opportunity for the year, so please make sure to sign in clearly upon arrival to ensure your attendance credit and raffle eligibility. Seating is limited and will be reserved for 4-H and FFA members first, with parents welcome to use any remaining seats if space permits.

Handouts and summaries from previous clinics can be found on the Poultry Project Website under the Blog section. If you missed a clinic or misplaced your materials, everything you need to stay caught up is available there.

Shows

Things really gets underway beginning January 10th with both the Safford Poultry Show and the Cotton Classic in Goodyear, each offering great learning opportunities for exhibitors. Please note that Cotton Classic registration closes January 6th and there will be no day-of registration, while the Safford Show registration deadline is January 3rd. The Colorado River Small Stock Show will take place January 17th–18th, in Parker, AZ, and is open to all enrolled 4-H members showing rabbits, cavies, poultry, and pigeons. The Arizona Stock Show & Roundup will follow after, taking place February 13th–15th. Later in the month, the Showmanship Shootout on February 21st provides a focused chance to practice and refine showmanship skills across several species. Links to register for all events can be found on their corresponding pages under the Events & Deadlines section of the Poultry Project Website.

Poultry Field Day returns on February 28th and will feature a rotation of interactive learning stations covering showmanship, grooming, poultry health, and care techniques. The day also includes games, raffles, and fun activities designed to make the experience both educational and enjoyable. Registration is $5 and is open now. We also welcome volunteers to assist with setup and takedown and these hours can be applied toward 4-H, school, or other community service requirements that tend to pop up at the end of the year.

All of these events qualify as pre-fair shows and count toward your required attendance for the year. To receive credit, submit a picture from the event, which also serves as your raffle entry.

Donations & Support

We deeply appreciate all the support our project families give—whether through volunteering, donating raffle items, or contributing supplies. These acts of generosity help make clinics, shows, and fair experiences successful and meaningful for youth. Anyone interested in assisting in any capacity is always welcome to reach out.

Equally important, volunteers are the heart of our events. Your time and support make clinics, shows, and fairs possible, and every bit of help makes a real difference for our youth exhibitors.

Keisha Cassidy Amanda Osborne