We are excited to offer an opportunity to youth in McDowell County to raise their own egg-laying chickens. Through a partnership with Henderson and Buncombe counties, the WNC Pullet Project seeks youth. Youth will receive five birds and will learn how to care for them, raise them and show them. All at a low cost for the youth. If you are interested, please let Chad or Skyler know by calling 652-8104. Some scholarships may be available.
Henderson and Buncombe Counties have partnered to offer another year of the WNC 4-H Pullet Project! The program is designed for youth ages 5-18 in Western North Carolina who are interested in raising and showing chicks. The WNC 4-H Pullet Project gives youth the opportunity to… Raise 5 chicks from 2 days to approximately four months old (laying hen breeds). Participate in training workshops about chick care, husbandry, general health, housing, handling, and showmanship skills. Show your chickens with other program participants in the final WNC 4-H Pullet Project Show.
Participants will need to obtain equipment for raising their chicks by the beginning of April. The startup equipment includes starter chick feed, chick size feeder and waterer, heat lamp, shavings, and larger feeder and waterer. We will go over examples of equipment needed in the orientation workshops. Common household items may be used for some of the equipment. Youth who have participated in the WNC 4-H Pullet Project in previous years may participate in 2024. These participants must attend the mandatory orientations, showmanship clinic, and show. Second-year participants who pay for new chicks will be able to participate in BOTH breed and showmanship. Second-year participants who do not want additional chicks can compete in showmanship only if they choose to bring a bird from last year’s program. Participation in 3 orientation workshops, a showmanship training clinic, and the final WNC 4-H Pullet Project are required! The dates are listed below: Mandatory Program Dates
February 22, 2024- Final date for program registration and fee due
February 29, 2024 (6:00 – 7:30 p.m.) – Orientation #1 March 7, 2024 (6:00 – 7:30 p.m.) – Orientation #2
March 14, 2024 (6:00 – 7:30 p.m.) – Orientation #3
March 21, 2024 – Chick Pick-up June 22, 2024 (9:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.) – Poultry Showmanship Clinic, N.C. Cooperative Extension – Henderson County Center
August 17, 2024 (9:00 a.m.-noon) – 2024 Western 4-H Pullet Roundup Show
Additional Program Dates
February 15, 2024 (6:00-7:00 p.m.) – Program Q&A held on Zoom
March 28, 2024 (6:00-7:00 p.m.) – Zoom Check-in April 18, 2024 (6:00 – 7:00 p.m.) – Zoom Check-in
May 23, 2024 (6:00-7:00 p.m.) – Zoom
Check-in August 8, 2024 (6:00-7:00 p.m.) – Zoom Check-in
We will hold a Q&A Zoom on Tuesday, February 15th, from 6-7 p.m. for anyone to ask questions about the program. If you’d like to attend, please check the appropriate box in the Registration Form (linked below). Registration and a $60 registration fee are required by February 22 to participate! All participants must be enrolled in 4-H Online to register. If you have not enrolled in 4-H Online before, please click here for instructions on enrolling in 4-H Online.
For more information, please visit WNC Pullet Programs - 2024
