- Jan 21, 2011
- 5
- 0
- 6
J Egger - I'm glad to see a young man involved in Boy Scouting, especially one who likes chickens. As to the basis of your question, there isn't anything wrong with following the current requirements for the poultry section of the badge for Animal Science, while giving a nod to the historic requirements for the one on Poultry Keeping. The requirements list from the 1932 printing of the BSA handbook provide that you should know the following for Poultry Keeping:
1. Have knowlege of incubators, foster-mothers, sanitary fowl houses, coops & runs.
2. Understand, through experience, rearing, feeding, killing, and dressing birds for market.
3. Be able to candle & pack eggs for the market; describe the differences in candling, which distinguish the bad eggs from the good; and tell how eggs are graded.
4. Raise a brook of not less than ten chickens.
5. Report your observations and study of the hen, turkey, duck, and goose.
- OR -
Comply with the 4H Club or Home Project requirements in Poultry Management as follows:
1. Own a pen of chickens.
2. Do all the work in its care and management as required in the project by leaders.
3. Keep accurate cost account records.
4. Exhibit poultry as required by state and county leaders in charge.
5. Make a complete report at the end of season or year as required by leaders in charge.
The requirements set forth under the present Animal Science merit badge may seem a little more involved, and perhaps they are a little more picky, but that's only because of the changes that have come about in the modern approach to animal husbandry with regard to providing livestock and side products for consumption at the dinner table. The FDA gets involved, and the local health department may want to have some input in cases where animals may be perceived as being less than adequately cared for or infected with disease. If you have any questions about the badge requirements, you can ask your district advancements chairman to help you figure out the distinctions between the old requirements and the new ones. However, it might serve you much better if you could also contact your county 4H people to ask if there's someone around who's knowledgeable about chickens. That way, you would have someone with experience with whom to discuss the specifics of the requirements. Best of luck with your efforts.
1. Have knowlege of incubators, foster-mothers, sanitary fowl houses, coops & runs.
2. Understand, through experience, rearing, feeding, killing, and dressing birds for market.
3. Be able to candle & pack eggs for the market; describe the differences in candling, which distinguish the bad eggs from the good; and tell how eggs are graded.
4. Raise a brook of not less than ten chickens.
5. Report your observations and study of the hen, turkey, duck, and goose.
- OR -
Comply with the 4H Club or Home Project requirements in Poultry Management as follows:
1. Own a pen of chickens.
2. Do all the work in its care and management as required in the project by leaders.
3. Keep accurate cost account records.
4. Exhibit poultry as required by state and county leaders in charge.
5. Make a complete report at the end of season or year as required by leaders in charge.
The requirements set forth under the present Animal Science merit badge may seem a little more involved, and perhaps they are a little more picky, but that's only because of the changes that have come about in the modern approach to animal husbandry with regard to providing livestock and side products for consumption at the dinner table. The FDA gets involved, and the local health department may want to have some input in cases where animals may be perceived as being less than adequately cared for or infected with disease. If you have any questions about the badge requirements, you can ask your district advancements chairman to help you figure out the distinctions between the old requirements and the new ones. However, it might serve you much better if you could also contact your county 4H people to ask if there's someone around who's knowledgeable about chickens. That way, you would have someone with experience with whom to discuss the specifics of the requirements. Best of luck with your efforts.
