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Poultry & Fowl

Chickens, Turkeys, and Ducks! Oh MY! Another foundation animal for 4-H Programs is Poultry and Fowl. Manistee County 4-H boasts Chickens, Ducks, Turkeys, Geese, Guinea Fowl, and more!

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Youth, ages 5 to 19, are eligible to show and market* Poultry & Fowl with 4-H at the Manistee County Fair.

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*The current rules, under the by-laws of the Manistee County 4-H Livestock Council, state that all 4-H participants MUST complete one year of SHOWMANSHIP ONLY before they can market an animal. Cloverbud years DO count towards this requirement. No 4-Her may market ANY animal until 4-H age 8.

Possession Dates & Minimum/Maximum Weights

CHICKENS:

Broiler/Fryers -

  • Maximum age is seven (7) weeks or 49 days, as of CHECK-IN Day of Fair.

  • Market pen of three (3) birds of the same sex.

  • Minimum market weight is three and a half (3.5) pounds. Maximum market weight is six (6) pounds.

Roaster Class -

  • Maximum age is twelve (12) weeks, as of CHECK-IN Day of Fair.

  • Market pen of three (3) birds of the same sex.

  • Minimum market weight is six and a quarter (6.25) pounds. There is no maximum weight.

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DUCKS:

  • Minimum age is twelve (12) weeks with a maximum age of forty (40) weeks, as of CHECK-IN Day of Fair.

  • Market pen of two (2) birds.

  • Minimum market weight is six (6) pounds. No Maximum weight.

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TURKEYS:

  • Must be hatched March 1 of current Fair year or later.

  • Market pen of two (2) birds of the same sex.

  • Minimum market weight for hens (females) is fifteen (15) pounds. No Maximum weight.

  • Minimum market weight for toms (males) is twenty (20) pounds. No Maximum weight.

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GEESE:

  • Minimum age is fifteen (15) weeks with a maximum age of forty (40) weeks, as of CHECK-IN Day of Fair.

  • Market pen of two (2) birds.

  • Minimum market weight is twelve (12) pounds. No Maximum weight.

Purchase or Proof of Origin MUST be provided for ALL Livestock Animals.

Poultry & Fowl Resources

Poultry 4-H Showmanship

Show Poultry

Poultry 4-H Leaders Guide

Leaders Guide

Poultry Organizations

Find Organization
4-H Poultry Snapshot
Avian Influenza Information

Mark Your Calendar!

Registration of your Poultry and/or Fowl 4-H Animal Project for Show and/or Market is due June 25! Click the button to be taken to the registration form.

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4-H Poultry & Fowl Projects can be registered by filling out:

  • the Fillable PDF and emailing it as an attachment to the Manistee Livestock Council or 4-H Program Coordinator

OR​

  • by filling out the Google Form and submitting it Online

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