Welcome to the Panhandle Poultry Project!
Join 4-Hers from our 16-county Northwest Extension district and learn how to raise and care for chickens. At the end of the project, there's a district show where you'll show off your birds and everything you've learned. This website will support you throughout your project.
- Care & Nutrition - Learn how to feed and care for your growing birds.
- Record Book - Keep basic breed and financial records on your project.
- Showmanship - Show off your poultry knowledge, perform a health exam, and exhibit your bird's attributes.
- Knowledge Test - First-time participants and Cloverbuds will compete in a test of what they know.
- Avian Adventures - Returning participants will develop and deliver an illustrated talk presentation or demonstration.
- Photography - Take pictures of your birds throughout your project. Enter them in this fun (optional) competition.
- Show Day - Exhibit your birds for judging. Learn what to expect, what to wear, and what to bring on show day.
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2025-2026 Breeds List
Choose a breed to raise this year.
- Australorp
- Brahmas
- Cochin (any variety)
- Marans
- Orpington (any variety)
- Plymouth (Barred) Rock
- Rhode Island Red
- Sussex
- Wyandottes (any variety)
- All Other Breeds - birds not one of the above will be grouped at the show as A.O.B.
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Project Timeline
August 1-September 30, 2025
- Enroll/re-enroll in 4-H.
Junior, Intermediate, and Senior 4-Hers will pay a $20 Florida 4-H membership fee. - Choose Panhandle Poultry 4-H Club as your club.
- Choose Poultry Science as a project.
September 1, 2025 to October 31, 2025
- Read all about Care & Nutrition
- Purchase or hatch your 4-H Chick Chain chicks - begin your project with at least three birds.
September 4, 2025
- 4-H Club Meeting on Zoom
- 6:30-7:30 p.m. Central- 7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern
October 2025
- Print your Record Book, or ask your 4-H Agent to email it to you.
- Begin entering information as soon as you purchase or hatch your chicks.
October 2, 2025
- 4-H Club Meeting on Zoom
- 6:30-7:30 p.m. Central- 7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern
November 2025
- Read about Record Books, and continue to enter information in yours.
November 6, 2025
- 4-H Club Meeting on Zoom
- 6:30-7:30 p.m. Central- 7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern
December 2025
- Read all about showmanship and watch videos.
- Read all about the skill-a-thon and start studying.
December 4, 2025
- 4-H Club Meeting on Zoom
- 6:30-7:30 p.m. Central- 7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern
January 2026
- Poultry Perfection Workshops
- 4-H Presentations Bootcamp Session 1 (returning 4-Hers) on Zoom
- Practice skill-a-thon topics
- Practice showmanship
- Create and practice your presentation (returning 4-Hers)
February 2026
- Poultry Perfection Workshop.
- 4-H Presentations Bootcamp Session 2 (returning 4-Hers) on Zoom.
- Q & A Webinar
- Practice skill-a-thon topics
- Practice showmanship
- Create and practice a presentation (returning 4-Hers)
February 5, 2026
- 4-H Club Meeting on Zoom
- 6:30-7:30 p.m. Central- 7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern
March 5, 2026
- 4-H Club Meeting on Zoom
- 6:30-7:30 p.m. Central- 7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern
March 23, 2026
- Record books & photography entries due to your 4-H Agent.
March 28, 2026
Northwest District 4-H Chick Chain Show - Washington County Ag Center - 1424 Jackson Ave, Chipley, FL.
- 2025-2026 participants - Bring your ONE BEST bird to exhibit and be judged.
- All 4-Hers will participate in showmanship and skill-a-thon.
- If you have chickens from last year's project:
2024-2025 participants - Bring your ONE BEST bird to exhibit and be judged. - Returning 4-Hers will participate in Avian Adventures.
Show Schedule (times are tentative at this time)
- 9 am - Check-in begins
- 11 am - Barn closes for Poultry Judge
- 12:30 pm - Awards
- Enroll/re-enroll in 4-H.