“Beyond the Hatch” Backyard Chicken Q&A and Demo

April 29 | 8:00 – Noon | Sanford Farmers’ Market

This is for adults and youths to learn what is necessary when raising a backyard flock. Town and Country will sponsor the demonstration brooder set-up. Richard Goforth, the area Extension Poultry Specialist, will be there to answer questions. Families can sign up to adopt layer-breed chicks.

Straight-run Layer Breed Adoptions

May 4 | Email pkerley@ncsu.edu to get on the list

These chicks were hatched during the embryology school enrichment program that ran from April 10th-May 3rd. The NC State layer breed eggs were purchased for Lee County Educators by Mountaire Farms. They are a mix of Rhode Island Red (RIR), Leghorns (LH), Barred Rock (BR), and Athens Canadian Randombred (ACR). These chicks will be vaccinated against Marek’s disease on May 3rd and will need to be quarantined from unvaccinated birds for two weeks.

“Eggs to Legs” Broiler Project Kickoff & Training

June 21 | 5:30-7:30 | Family Registration Required

This fast-paced workshop will teach families & 4-H’ers how to incubate broiler-breed chickens. Participants will take home a 4-H incubator and 3 to 6 broiler breed eggs. The families will be charged with raising healthy birds and returning in September to learn how to process the adults. All birds will be surrendered for processing. This is a youth project; however, one parent is required to attend the training. When the incubator is returned, we will supply you with a bag of crumbles to help supplement the care costs. Incubator return and feed pickup | July 17-21

Be a Blue Ribbon Winner Workshop

Aug 30 |6:30-7:00| Eligible Youth Will Be Invited | Registration Required by August 28th

4-H’ers participating in “Beyond the Hatch” and “Eggs to Legs” are invited to learn how to successfully show the birds at the Lee Regional Fair. Families who attend this training will receive a bag of feed.

Egg Quality Training

September 12 & 26 via Zoom | Registration

Egg & Poultry Exhibit Entry at the LRF

Exhibits are delivered on September 9 & 10

Register your eggs and static caged birds via FairEntry.com to be judged in the static education category of the Lee Regional Fair. You can use your 4HO username and password to register.

Broiler and Layer Breeds Livestock Show

Sept 15 | Youth Registration Required, Eligible Youths Have Been Invited

Lee County 4-H will provide the birds shown at this event on May 3 and June 21st. Only 4-H-provided birds will be allowed to show. Registration for this event begins when the chicks are adopted or the eggs are distributed. Premiums will be paid out to winners. Participants will show broiler meat class & showmanship for both layer and broiler breeds.All Broiler breed birds will be surrendered on September 15th to prepare for processing.

Project Record Book Submission | Sept 15

Broiler Surrender to prepare for processing | Sept 15

Egg-cellent Egg Regional Competition | Registration

November 7 Eggs Due & November 8 Judging

September 12 & 26 Zoom trainings are required. Registration opens September 8. $15 is due September 22. This contest is for 4-H members with a flock of chickens that are currently laying eggs. If you are not an active 4-H member, you can contact your county agent to get enrolled. Participants may submit up to 2 sets of half dozen (6) eggs in different categories, which will be judged for uniformity and exterior and interior quality. Participants must attend two mandatory trainings and will also complete supplemental project components based on their age which is part of their final score.

Processing Education Day

Sept 16 | 9:00 a.m.

Eggs to Legs families are invited to observe and participate in this education processing day. It will be at Lee County Cooperative Extension. Families will take home the # of birds they raised. Register to attend as a hands-on helper.