Your family doesn’t need a farm, a flock, or any experience with chickens to take part in the 2027 North Central District 4-H Poultry Show. Youth start with five baby chicks and learn as they go, and our Cooperative Extension staff is with them the whole way, answering questions and helping with everything from setting up a brooder to getting ready for show day. If your child has ever wanted to raise an animal of their own, this is a great place to start.

1. Sign up. Youth must enroll in 4-H Online, register for the Poultry Show, and provide payment to the Chatham County Office by January 11, 2027. The cost is $30 per child, which covers the cost of 5 chicks. Chicks are ordered only for paid registered participants.
2. Get your chicks. In mid-February, each registered participant picks up 5 chicks. This year’s breeds are Buff Orpington and Rock (possibly Barred, depending on availability).
3. Raise them. Youth feed, house, and care for their birds through the spring. No experience is needed. Recorded webinars on brooding, housing and nutrition, health, and showmanship walk families through each stage, and Chatham County Extension staff are here to help along the way.
4. Keep a record book. Participants track what they do and learn in a project record book, which is turned in for judging before the show.
5. Show your best 3. On June 15, youth bring three birds to the district show in King, NC, for the Pen of 3 breed class. There is also a showmanship class and a costume contest.
6. Keep your flock. The birds go home with you, and the hens will soon be laying eggs for your family.

The show is open to youth ages 5 to 18 who are enrolled in 4-H in Chatham County or another North Central District county. Cloverbuds (ages 5 to 7) take part in showmanship and the costume contest and receive participation prizes, but do not compete in the Pen of 3 breed classes.

Not in 4-H yet? You can enroll when 4-H Online opens for 2027 in January.

Fill out our interest form at go.ncsu.edu/chicken and we will send details as they become available, including registration steps and reminders before each deadline. There is no commitment in filling out the form.