Chick Chain Project begins September 1, 2023

What is the Chick Chain project?
Join 4-Hers from our 16-county Northwest Extension district and learn how to raise and care for chickens. At the end of the project, there’s a district show where you’ll show off your birds and everything you’ve learned. This website will support you throughout your project. 

Where can I find out more about the Chick Chain Project?
Contact your 4-H Extension Agent and review each tab to learn more about the NWD 4-H Chick Chain project.
 Care & Nutrition – Learn how to feed and care for your growing birds.
 Record book – Each 4-Her will complete a record book.
 Showmanship – All 4-Hers will participate in the showmanship competition.
 Skill-a-thon – First-time participants and Cloverbuds will compete in a fun test of what you know.
 Avian Adventures – Returning youth will develop and deliver an illustrated talk presentation or demonstration.
 Photography – Take pictures of your birds throughout your project and them in this fun (optional) competition.
 Show Day – Learn what to expect, what to wear, and what to bring on show day.

When are the important dates for the 4-H Chick Chain?

August 1-September 30, 2023
 Enroll/re-enroll in 4-H.
 Choose 4-H Chick Chain as a club.
 Choose Poultry Science as a project.
September 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023
 Purchase or hatch your 4-H Chick Chain chicks – begin your
     project with at least three birds.
 Participate in the 4-H Photography Fun with Your Chickens
     workshop.
October 2023
 Read all about Care & Nutrition.
 Print your Record Book or save it to your Google Drive.
 Begin entering information as soon as you purchase or hatch your chicks.
November 2023
 Read all about Record Books and watch the video.
December 2023
 Read all about showmanship and watch videos.
 Read about the skill-a-thon and start studying for that activity (new 4-Hers).
January 2024
 Poultry Perfection Workshops
 4-H Presentations Bootcamp Session 1 (returning 4-Hers) on Zoom
 Practice skill-a-thon topics (new 4-Hers)
 Practice showmanship
 Create and practice presentation (returning 4-Hers)
February 2024
 The Poultry Perfection Workshop for Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties is scheduled for February 3, 2024, in Santa Rosa County.
 4-H Presentations Bootcamp Session 2 (returning 4-Hers) on Zoom
 Q & A Webinar
 Practice skill-a-thon topics (new 4-Hers)
 Practice showmanship
 Create and practice presentation (returning 4-Hers)
April 6, 2024
 The Poultry Perfection Workshop for Gadsden, Liberty, Gulf, Franklin, Leon, Wakulla and Jefferson Counties is scheduled for April 6, 2024, in Wakulla County.
April 12, 2024 – Record books & photography entries due to your 4-H Agent
April 20, 2024 – Northwest District 4-H Chick Chain Show at the
Washington County Ag Center – 1424 Jackson Ave, Chipley, FL.
 2023-2024 participants – Bring your best TWO birds to exhibit and be judged.
 Cloverbuds and first-time 4-Hers will participate in showmanship and skill-a-thon.
 2022-2023 participants – Bring your best one or two birds to exhibit and be judged.
 Returning Chick Chain 4-Hers will participate in showmanship and Avian Adventures.

Why should my child raise poultry for the Chick Chain Project?
Caring for poultry allows youth to learn empathy and sharing. Giving aid to an animal in need and being able to relate to the animal in their care is a skill that will allow youth to learn and grow in many ways. Youths laboring to clean their animals’ cages and gaining self-esteem through hard work is not something one can learn in a classroom. 4-H stresses our youth to “learn by doing,” projects like the Chick Chain are one of the best ways to learn by doing lots of hard work.

Responsibility is also gained by deciding to get out of the warm house early each morning and head out to the chicken coop to feed their chickens. In this digital age, our youth must learn excellent communication skills. During the Chick Chain project, children will learn to communicate all aspects of their project during showmanship. Students hone their written and verbal communication skills during the project in their record books. Raising chickens for the Chick Chain is an excellent way for the youth to learn and grow. Problem-solving, service, planning, goal setting, marketing, and character building are all assets bound to mature when a child raises their Chick Chain Chickens.

If you have questions about 4-H or wish to sponsor or support the Chick Chain project, please contact Prudence Caskey at prudencecaskey@ufl.edu or 623-3868. https://sites.google.com/ufl.edu/4-h-poultry-project/home