4H project questions!!!

[dixie&trixie]

So my daughter is interested in joining 4H and has chose poultry as her project. Im super excited for her as we already have a small flock and glad to see her interested in it. My issue is I dont know what breed would be best for her to start with. Anyone with suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated. My thoughts were BO or Cochin.

Also, any breeders in Nor Cal? Im way up north (Yreka).

Thanks BYCers!!

 

[A.T. Hagan]

There is a wide range of things that can be done with poultry in 4-H.

Does your daughter have any particular interests as regards chickens? Does she want to participate in poultry shows? Hatch eggs? Do experiments? All of the above?

If she's wants to show I'd suggest going with one of the bantam breeds so she'll be able to handle them safely. Other than that there are literally dozens of breeds and varieties she can choose from. My oldest daughter does Silkies. My youngest just this month chose Old English Game Bantams.

I'd particularly suggest she get the poultry project books which can be found here: http://www.4-hmall.org/Category/4-hcurriculum-poultry.aspx

Each one takes about three years to complete. Of course you can do them faster, but there's a lot in each book! My oldest is in her third year of the first book now. We also did the embryology project, but that particular one uses an older book we got from our local Extension Service office.

 

[RoeDylanda]

I'm interested as well, though we're way over on the other coast.

I never did 4H but my daughter's about to join, and while I'm happy to help her I'm sort of at sea in terms of what that entails. ANY guidance is warmly appreciated!

Edited to fix which coast I'm on. Apparently my brain is frozen.

 

[Ohne-Fehler]

I would go with a bantam breed to start with so that she can easily handle the birds. When i started out in 4-H (way back when) I was given a trio of Modern Game bantams by a breeder they were wonderful; friendly, easy to handle and attractive. We are setting our friends 4 year old son up with D'anver's for him to use for PeeWee. They are easy for him to handle and he was instantly in love with them.

If you are looking for breeders in Nor Cal you could always try the Humboldt Poultry Fanciers show in February in Eureka. I know its a bit of a drive although 299 drops you right there. There should be a lot of nice birds there and you would be able to find birds for sale there from breeders. We are going to be making the 12 hour drive from Eastern Oregon down to it so long as the weather permits. I know of a Sebright breeder in Eureka with nice birds, if you are interested PM me and I can send you info.

 

[Sumatra503]

Seramas are a good starting breed. Bantam cochins are good as well. The friendlier and calmer the better. "Sorry I don't live closer. I am about 4 hours from the California/Oregon border.

I breed Seramas, Sumatras, Quail, and ducks for my 4-H project. 4-h has really done a lot for me and I'm glad to hear your daughter is so interested.

If you want to attend a big show from Eastern Oregon you should go to the Northwest Nationals show in Stevenson, Washington in april.

 

[Ohne-Fehler]

Quote:
We will be there its only a 4 hour drive for us to go to Stevenson so not a big deal at all. We are making the trip down to Humboldt because that is where I am from and my family lives there so its just an excuse to go home.

 

[BookWorm243]

I love seramas this is my hen and rooster.