All You Need is Love… and Chickens

Hello 4-H Poultry Project Families,

Happy Valentine’s! With about two and a half months until fair, now is the perfect time to focus and make sure you’re keeping up with important dates and deadlines. The Poultry Project has several events and requirements coming up, and staying organized now will make the next months much smoother. Please read carefully and mark your calendars so nothing gets missed along the way.

Websites

The Poultry Project Website is the central hub for everything you will need in the coming months as we prepare for fair. All required forms, paperwork, and the Premium Book can be found in the Paperwork section and will become increasingly important as deadlines approach. The Events & Deadlines page is also a key resource, as it lists the remaining attendance chances along with other important dates and opportunities. Be sure to check both sections regularly to stay organized and on track as we move closer to fair.

Reminders

For members planning to raise Cornish Rock meat pen(s), eligible hatch dates begin February 23rd, with March 9th being the final allowable hatch date for fair entry. Please note that Cornish Rock chicks are not provided through the county and must be purchased independently. These birds should already be listed on your ownership paperwork, even if you do not yet have them in hand.

Fair registration will open on February 15th and remain available through March 15th. Please remember that fair registration is a separate process from ownership paperwork and both are required for participation.

As we move closer to fair, please continue to review deadlines carefully and stay organized to avoid last-minute issues.

February – April Preview

Small Stock Meetings

Small Stock Meetings continue this year, with the next session scheduled for February 9th at 6:30 p.m. at the Extension Office on Campbell. These meetings are open to anyone who wishes to attend and bring together leaders from the Cavy, Pigeon, Poultry, Dog, Rabbit, Pygmy Goat, and Dairy Goat projects to share updates, review upcoming events, and answer your questions.

As we get closer to fair, these meetings become an increasingly valuable resource for planning and preparation. They are generally held on the second Monday of each month, though dates can occasionally shift, so be sure to check before attending.

Poultry Clinics

The next Poultry Clinic will take place on March 21st at the University of Arizona Campus Agricultural Center and will focus on final preparation for fair. Topics will include what to expect on show days, how to properly prepare birds and equipment, and tips for presenting yourself confidently in the show ring.

A showmanship practice will follow the presentation. Since showmanship is required at fair, all exhibitors must have a designated showmanship bird listed on their ownership paperwork and be comfortable working with that bird. By this point in the season, everyone should have their showmanship bird selected. Members bringing birds should plan for them to remain outside with water until practice begins.

This clinic serves as the final attendance opportunity of the year, so please be sure to sign in clearly upon arrival to receive attendance credit and remain eligible for raffles. Seating is limited and will be prioritized for 4-H and FFA members, with parents welcome to use remaining seats if space allows.

Handouts and summaries from this clinic, along with materials from previous clinics, will be posted on the Poultry Project Website in the Blog section. Anyone who misses a clinic or needs a refresher can find everything needed to stay caught up there.

Shows

February offers some of the best opportunities to get ready for fair—so be sure to mark your calendars now! While the Arizona Stock Show & Roundup has been canceled, there are still two excellent events available to help exhibitors build skills and meet participation requirements.

The Showmanship Shootout on February 21st provides a focused opportunity to sharpen showmanship skills across multiple species. It’s a great way to practice in a competitive setting before fair season arrives.

Even more importantly, don’t miss Poultry Field Day on February 28th! This hands-on learning event features rotating stations covering showmanship, grooming, poultry health, and daily care techniques. Youth will also enjoy games, raffles, and fun activities designed to make learning engaging while reinforcing key project skills. Preregistration is strongly encouraged and is the cheaper option—registration is open now for just $5. Volunteers are also needed to help with setup and takedown, and those hours may count toward 4-H, school, or other community service requirements.

Registration links for all events can be found in the Events & Deadlines section of the Poultry Project website—be sure to sign up early so you don’t miss out.

Please note that these are the final shows and clinics of the year. All exhibitors are required to attend two shows or clinics annually, and these February events along with the March clinic represent the last chances to meet that requirement. Every listed event counts as pre-fair attendance—remember to submit a photo from each event to receive credit and be entered into the raffles.

Stay involved now to ensure you are eligible, prepared, and confident as we head toward fair!

Fair

Fair registration will open on February 15th and remain available through March 15th. Please remember that fair registration is a separate process from ownership paperwork, and both are required to participate. Fair registration is for only the birds that will be taken to fair. Each participant is limited to a maximum of 10 pens—please refer to the Premium Book for the official definition of a “pen.” After March 15th, only scratches will be allowed—no additions may be made.

Heritage turkeys will be allowed at fair this year. To ensure adequate space for all exhibitors, each participant will be limited to one Heritage turkey pen.

As we move closer to fair, it is essential to mark your calendars and stay on top of all deadlines. Workdays are scheduled for April 4th or April 11th, and attendance at one of these is required to participate. Poultry check-in will take place on April 20th from noon to 6:00 PM, with all birds first going through the veterinary inspection table. Showmanship will be held on Tuesday, April 21st, followed by the breed show on Wednesday, April 22nd.

Before these dates arrive, be sure that all attendance requirements and fair registration are fully completed. Any missing items will prevent participation.

All forms, paperwork, and information for fair helpers can be found on the Poultry Project Website under the Paperwork and Fair Information sections. If you have questions about your attendance, forms, or registration, please reach out now so everything can be in order before deadlines pass.

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