Commercial Projects

Commercial poultry projects give youth hands-on experience raising birds for food production. Birds are grown from chicks or poults through the full grow-out period and then judged at fair based on production qualities such as uniform growth, appropriate weight, and overall health. Winners in certain commercial classes—including Commercial Laying Hens, Commercial Turkeys, Cornish Rock Cross, and Heritage Meat Pens—are required to be sold in the Small Stock Auction. All other details, including order dates, hatch dates, weights, and deadlines, are available in the project premium book.

Commercial Heritage Meat Project

This is a commercial bird project. Exhibitors raise chicks of a heritage meat focused breed from chicks to maturity and select the best pen of three (3) to show at the Pima County Fair. Research and prepare housing and feed carefully, especially for cold weather conditions.

To participate in this project chicks must be purchased at the personal level and not through the county.

Birds are judged on uniformity, body type, and overall quality. Winners are required to sell in the Small Stock Auction.

Hatch dates must fall between April 27th to July 19th, 2026

Recommended Breeds:

  • Jersey Giant

  • Delaware

  • New Hampshire

  • Dorking

  • Australorp

  • Sussex

  • Brahma

  • Wyandotte

  • Orpington

  • Cornish

  • Dominique

  • Plymouth Rock

Looking for meat-focused breeds rather than dual-purpose/egg types.

Commercial Laying Hen Project

Each exhibitor will order and select five (5) birds White Leghorn chicks at pick up, then raise them, and select the best three (3) birds to show at the Pima County Fair. Make sure to prepare your coop and research what your chicks need right away.

Birds are judged on uniformity, body type, health, and egg production. Winners are required to sell in the Small Stock Auction.

To participate in this project, chicks must be purchased through the county using the form.

Payments will need to be exact change at pick up. Chicks cost $25 per set. CASH only.

Pick up Location: TBD

Deadline to order : August 1, 2026

Commercial Turkey Project

Each exhibitor will order and select three (3) Broad Breasted white poults at pick up, then raise them and select the best (1) bird to show at the Pima County Fair. Make sure to prepare your coop and research what your chicks need right away.

Birds are judged on meat quality and appropriate weight for age and gender. Winners are required to sell in the Small Stock Auction.

To participate in this project, poults must be purchased through the county using the form.

Payments will need to be exact change at pick up. Chicks cost $25 per set. CASH only.

Pick up Location: TBD

Deadline to order : October 31, 2026

Commercial Duck Project

Each exhibitor will raise White Pekin Ducklings and will select the best birds for a pen of two (2) to show at the Pima County Fair. Make sure to prepare your coop and research what your ducklings need right away since they require different arrangements than other poultry.

To participate in this project, ducklings must be purchased at the personal level and not through the county.*

Birds are judged on meat quality and appropriate weight for age and gender. Winners are not required to sell in the Small Stock Auction.

Hatch dates must fall between January 25th to February 8th, 2027

*This project has changed from previous years- the county is no longer responsible for ordering this project and it is now on the exhibitor to order on time.

Commercial Fryer and Broiler Project

Each exhibitor will raise Cornish-Rock Cross chicks and will select the best birds for each pen of three (3) to show at the Pima County Fair. Make sure to prepare housing and feeding systems to support proper growth and health.

To participate in this project, chicks must be purchased at the personal level and not through the county.

Birds are judged on uniformity and weight within the specified ranges. Winners in both the fryer and broiler projects are required to sell in the Small Stock Auction.

Hatch dates must fall between February 22nd to March 8th, 2027

Quail Project

This is a commercial bird project. Exhibitors raise pens of three quail from chicks and select the best pen to show at the Pima County Fair. Proper housing and care from the start are essential.

To participate in this project, only Coturnix quail and their varieties are allowed. Chicks must be purchased at the personal level and not through the county.

Birds are judged on health, uniformity, and quality appropriate to their purpose. Quail are not required to sell in the Small Stock Auction.

Hatch dates must fall between April 27th, 2026 to March 8th, 2027