Question about 4-H

[HorseFeathers]

Okay — so this year after getting some lovely (expensive!) purebreds from breeders (two welsies and a delaware) I joined our local 4-H poultry club. I had heard great things about it and was totally excited.

I got to the first meeting and... well...
I am in my early teens.
The other members were holding their mother's hands. Ages 2-8 or so. One of the parents — quite earnestly — asked, "but don't you need a rooster to get eggs?"
I toughed it out, but every single meeting has been like storytime in a preschool. There is only one girl remotely close to my age (11 or so) and she isn't there very often.

I'm not learning anything and to be honest am only going for the show at the end of the year. But now I'm even doubting that. Are 4-H shows all about showmanship and projects, or is the actual bird judged on conformation? I emailed the club leader but he isn't great at giving straight answers so I wanted to ask BYC as well.

It's been a total let-down for me, and the meeting place is a very long drive from where I live. I'm not enjoying myself in the slightest and I feel awful about it.
If I can't do a "real" show I think I may just do a photography 4-H club instead.

Please help me! I want more information before I make a decision.

Thanks!
Olivia

 

[Michele_Lynd]

OK Here in Indiana my club we have a wide age group and we do learn about chickens our last meeting was about the digestive track of a chicken the next one is about hatching eggs And oat our show they are judged By the Book of Standared So yes it is Like a real show execpt you have to handle the bird and tell the judge what u know and answer any questions he/she has hope this helps

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

The exact format of individual clubs can vary quite a bit. However, the minimum age for 4H is 8 or 10; I do think there is an associated program for slightly younger kids; however, the aim of hte club should be towards the age and level of regular members unless this is an associated program. I think you should detail a letter that lists your expectations for what the club yould be and what you have found that is disappointing, then ask the question of how you can make this a positive rather than negative experience. There may be a different group you can locate that is cloer to your age, or you may want to consider forming your own group. I'm not sure if you can do independant projects under the guidance of a mentor, but that might be another alternative.

edited to add: 4h.org says ages 9-19, with some states offering a Cloverbuds program for kids 5-9.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Go to your county's extension office and speak with the 4H agent about your feelings and thoughts. Request if you can start a special poultry project club. Get an adult to sponsor you and be your leader.

 

[akcountrygrrl]

Horsefeathers,
I am a 4-H leader of a general membership club in Alaska. In Alaska, 5-8 year olds and K-2nd grades are considered cloverbuds. Regular members are 9 and up and in at least 3rd grade. There are different things that you can do with your poultry as a project - Showmanship (judged on the person, their knowledge of the project area, and the preparations done to get the animal ready for show), educational display, educational demonstration, and conformation classes (where the chicken is judged against the APA Standard of Perfection). Most fairs have a sweepstakes or round robin competition where if you win showmanship for your particular species you compete against the winners of the other small livestock species and show the other species (this can be a lot of fun). this was my experience growing up as a 4-Her in Michigan and as a 4-H leader in Alaska but different states may have different classes. If you were in my 4-H club, I would encourage you to become a teen leader and take a leadership role with the younger kids. Learning how to guide them, lead them, and communicate is part of what 4-H is about. It's also about teamwork and community service. Being involved in 4-H will help you more than you know as an adult. It will give you confidence to speak in front of groups and communicate effectively. You may want to contact your local 4-H office. I know alot of teens up here are involved in a teen club separate from their regular 4-H club. These kids are involved in state government activities and plan the annual district 4-H awards banquet, amongst other things. Don't give up, get involved and have fun!

 

[akcountrygrrl]

Oh, and you should still be able to do a Photography project in whatever club you are in rather than having to join a different club.

 

[suburbanminifarm]

You don't have to go thru 4-H if you just want to show. Join the "youth" or "junior" division of the breed club of your choice or the American Poultry Association or ?. Then you will still be in a club and receive notification of shows, and the shows may be more competitive for your birds, esp if the handling and making posters thing doesn't appeal to you. (My daughter either)