|
2008-2009 Calendar for Poultry Project and Showing Poultry • Nov. 2 – Poultry Project kickoff • Nov. 15 – 4H project forms due at extension office in Baldwin. All changes should be called in by this date. • Nov-Dec – Order chicks for Jan-Feb delivery or eggs for Dec-Jan delivery, clean out and calibrate incubator if starting with eggs. Research your breed. Use the 4H project books as a guide, begin reading and learning about poultry in general. • Dec-Jan – Set eggs for Jan-Feb hatch. (21 days for chicken incubation). • Jan. 15 – fair book changes due. • Dec-Jan – Clean and prepare brooders. Purchase red heat bulbs, chick starter, chick vitamins, brewers yeast, etc. Have sulfa antibiotic on hand in case of problems. (Fleet Farm, Blue Ribbon Feed, Stockman’s, or John’s new store on the corner of Hwy63 and Hwy 29 have most items you’ll need.) • Jan-Mar – New chicks, lots of time and attention, keep water and feed clean and available at all times. Watch for weak chicks and make sure all are eating. Mix brewers yeast and a little sugar with water and feed by eye dropper to weak chicks. Edible brewers yeast can usually be found in health food stores. • Mar-Jun – Watch the 4H news letter for 4H Poultry Project seminars and attend. Keep reading about poultry – the judges ask about all kinds of poultry in the championship round. • April-May – Chicks outgrowing brooder. Chicks need larger yard or coop area during day. Watch for hawks if outside. Good time to arrange some poultry field trips to breeders or hatcheries with other project members. Next 4H poultry seminar. • June - Fair entry forms due. Check fair book for dates. Write up your presentation for showmanship based on your breed and general poultry knowledge and practice. Call your poultry leaders with any questions. 4H practice poultry show and pre-fair seminar. • June – Pick out show chickens, pullorum testing, may want to cage or otherwise isolate show chickens to keep feathers in prime condition. Begin accustoming birds to handling for show. • First week in July – Treat for mites, worm if kept out of doors. Practice presentation for showmanship and handle chickens regularly. • Week before Fair – check for mites and re-treat if necessary, bathe (do not blow dry), clip nails. Keep practicing for showmanship. • July 23 - 26 – St. Croix County Fair, Poultry Show at 9:30am, Saturday, July 25 • Aug 6 - Aug 16 – Wisconsin State Fair • After fair – isolate birds for at least 3 weeks to make sure you don’t bring any diseases back to your flock. Returning turkeys and peacocks should be isolated from returning chickens during this time. |
