Welcome to the Panhandle Poultry Project!
Join 4-Hers from across the Florida panhandle and learn all about chickens. From day-old chicks to laying age, you'll learn about general poultry rearing, poultry exhibition, and poultry showmanship. 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.
- Illustrated Talk - Returning participants will develop and deliver an illustrated talk related to poultry.
- Photography - Take pictures of your birds throughout your project. Enter them in this fun (optional) competition.
- Show Day - Exhibit your best bird for judging. Learn what to expect, what to wear, and what to bring on show day.
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2026-2027 Breeds List
You can raise either standard size OR bantam size birds in this project.
Standard size breeds to choose from include:
- Australorp
- Brahma
- Cochin (any variety)
- Maran
- Orpington (any variety)
- Plymouth Rock (barred)
- Rhode Island Red
- Sussex
- Wyandotte (any variety)
- All Other Breeds - any birds that are not one of the above breeds will be grouped at the show as A.O.B.
Bantam size breeds to choose from include:
- Old English
- Sebright
- Silkie
- All Other Breeds - any birds that are not one of the above breeds will be grouped at the show as A.O.B.
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Project Timeline
August 1-September 30, 2026
- 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 4-H club.
- Choose Poultry Science as your 4-H project.
September 1, 2026 to October 31, 2026
- Attend September 4-H Club meeting.
- Read all about Care & Nutrition
- Purchase or hatch your Panhandle Poultry Project chicks (begin your project with at least three birds).
- Print your record book, or ask your 4-H agent/4-H club leader to email/mail it to you.
- Enter information in your record book.
October 2026
- Attend October 4-H Club meeting.
- Print your Record Book, or ask your 4-H Agent to email it to you.
- Enter information in your record book.
November 2026
- Attend November 4-H Club meeting.
- Read about your bird's breed standards. While your chicks grow, note which bird fits the breed standard the best.
December 2026
- Attend the December 4-H Club meeting.
- Read all about showmanship and watch videos.
- Read all about the knowledge test and start studying.
January 2027
- Attend January 4-H Club meeting
- Study for knowledge test.
- Identify which bird best fits your breed standard. This is the bird you will exhibit and use for showmanship at the Panhandle Poultry Project show.
- Practice showmanship.
- Brainstorm topics for 4-H Illustrated Talk (2025-2026 participants who are Juniors, Intermediates, or Seniors).
February 2027
- Attend February 4-H Club meeting.
- 4-H Illustrated Talk Zoom webinar (2025-2026 participants who are Juniors, Intermediates, or Seniors) - DATE TBA
- Write and practice your illustrate talk.
- Study for knowledge test.
- Practice showmanship.
- Create and practice your presentation - returning 4-Hers
March 2027
- Attend March 4-H Club meeting.
- Practice your Illustrated Talk and deliver it at your March 4-H Club meeting.
- March 26, 2027 - Record Books and Photography entries due to your 4-H Agent.
April 3, 2027
Panhandle Poultry Project Show
Washington County Ag Center - 1424 Jackson Ave, Chipley, FL.- 2026-2027 participants (this 4-H year) - Bring your ONE BEST pullet to be judged.
- 2025-2026 participants (last 4-H year) - Bring your ONE BEST hen to be judged.
- All 4-Hers will participate in showmanship.
- All 4-Hers will participate in the knowledge test.
- Returning Junior, Intermediate, and Senior 4-Hers will deliver an Illustrated Talk.
- If you have a bird from this 4-H year AND last 4-H year, you will participate in showmanship one time only with whichever bird you choose.
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.