Poultry Department

Department P – Poultry

SUPERINTENDENT - Don Gensler (1990), Toluca, IL, (309)238-7652

Keith Coons (2009), Wenona, IL (815) 863-5005

State Fair – Any 4-H'er, 10 years of age or over, Sept. 1 of current 4-H year may enter.

GENERAL POULTRY RULES

1. Each exhibitor must comply with the general 4-H exhibit rules.

2. Each exhibitor may make only one entry in each class, except egg production.

3. See 4-H Show schedule for check-in times and judging times.

4. Each exhibitor must check-in with the superintendent any birds along with any required health papers.

5. The American Standard of Perfection will be the guide for judging the breed-type classes with utility also being emphasized. The market classes will be judged on conformation, fleshing, feathering, and uniformity.

6. Each exhibitor must provide feed and clean containers for feed and water.

7. Coops will be provided by Marshall-Putnam Fair Association, for CHICKENS ONLY.

8. The Marshall-Putnam Fair Association will NOT provide coops for turkeys, ducks, geese, pheasants, guineas, and pigeons. Each 4-H'er MUST provide their own coops. THEY WILL BE ASKED TO REMOVE THEIR BIRDS FROM THE SHOW IF THEY USE THE COUNTY'S COOPS.

9. An exhibitor must show only one variety in a pen or pair.

10. A junior breeding male shall be the male hatched during this current year.

11. A junior breeding female shall be a female hatched during this current year.

12. A senior breeding male shall be a male hatched prior to this current year from last year's project flock.

13. A senior breeding female shall be a female hatched prior to this current year, from last year's project flock.

14. A breeding pen/pair shall consist of birds of the same variety not shown as singles.

15. A single market broiler-fryer shall be a junior male or junior female weighing under 4 pounds.

16. A roaster market pen shall consist of 3 junior males or 3 junior females, each weighing at least 4 pounds and a maximum weight of 8 pounds and a 1/4pound allowance for all three birds.

17. An egg production pen shall consist of 3 standard size hens.

18. A trophy and ribbon will be awarded for the "Best of Show", Champion Roaster Market Pen and Showmanship.

19. The Champion Roaster Market Pen, and "Best of Show" will be offered for sale at the "Sale of Champions" if the 4-H'er wishes.

20. See Exhibition Livestock Health Requirements for health requirements.

21. All 4-H'ers shall clean their coops before leaving the fair grounds with their birds. Cleaning equipment will be provided by superintendents.

22. All birds shall be removed by 6:00 p.m. Thursday, unless other arrangements are made with the superintendent.

EGG PRODUCTION

1. Exhibitors may have 3 entries in egg production, white, brown, and other.

2. Each entry shall consist of one dozen eggs of the same color.

3. Eggs shall be removed after exhibiting.

4. Eggs shall be judged on:

a. Uniformity of color. b. Shape and size. c. Shell condition. d. Interior quality.

EMBRYOLOGY

1. Exhibitors must be enrolled in embryology.

2. Exhibitors must show knowledge of embryology by displaying any of the following project ideas or one approved by the Extension office.

a. Written report.

b. Display 6 to 10 hatched birds up to 2 weeks of age, to be removed after the judging.

c. Project display.

MARKET

707 Single Market Broiler Fryer (under 4 lbs.)

708 Roaster Market Pen (each 4 lbs. Or more)

709 Egg Production Pen

EGG PRODUCTION

710 Egg Production

EMBRYOLOGY

711 Embryology

SHOWMANSHIP

748 Showmanship: Non-premium class

CLASSES

Junior Breeding Pen/Pair*

701 - Chickens

712 - Turkey

718 - Ducks

724 - Geese

730 - Pheasants

736 - Guineas

742 - Pigeons

Junior Breeding Male

702 - Chickens

713 - Turkey

719 - Ducks

725 - Geese

731 - Pheasants

737 - Guineas

743 - Pigeons

Junior Breeding Female

703 - Chickens

714 - Turkey

720 - Ducks

726 - Geese

732 - Pheasants

738 - Guineas

744 - Pigeons

Senior Breeding Pen/Pair*

704 - Chickens

715 - Ducks

721 - Ducks

727 - Geese

733 - Pheasants

739 - Guinease

745 - Pigeons

Senior Breeding Male

705 - Chickens

716 - Turkey

722 - Ducks

728 - Geese

734 - Pheasants

740 - Guineas

746 - Pigeons

Senior Breeding Female

706 - Chickens

717 - Turkey

723 - Ducks

729 - Geese

735 - Pheasants

741 - Guineas

747 - Pigeons

*Chickens 1 male, 2 female: Other species 1 male, 1 female

COOP SIZES

Recommended minimum size of coops for turkeys, ducks, geese, pheasants, guineas, and pigeons

• One pair of one year old turkeys – 4' x 4'
• One pair of young turkeys – 2' x 4'
• One pair of small ducks – 1' x 2' (Call, Mallards)
• One pair of large ducks – 2' x 2' (Pekin, Rouen, Runners, Muscovy, Black East Indies
• One pair of one year old geese – 4' x 4'
• One pair of young geese – 2' x 4'
• One pair of one year old pheasants – 2' x 4'
• One pair of young pheasants – 2' x 4'
• One pair of one year old guineas – 2' x 2'
• One pair of young guineas – 1' x 2'
• One pair of one year old pigeons – 1' x 1'
• One pair of young pigeons – 1' x 1'
• Covers should be placed on all coops of birds that can fly.

Pheasants need grass weaved in and out of coop's sides to provide cover. Thus reducing stress of the bird.