Will Ellison was a little nervous on the morning of August 17th as he headed to the WNC Ag Center for his first 4-H poultry show.  His nerves would soon wear off as he was showing his chicken, Lucky, in the WNC Pullet Project Show.  Will came home with 2 third place ribbons.  One for his ribbons was for Best of Breed and the other ribbon was for his showmanship.

Will learned about the WNC Pullet Project through his membership in the Bunnies, Bovines, Bees, & Birds 4-H Club here in Cherokee County.  The breed of chickens for this years WNC Pullet Project were Olive Eggers.

• Raise 5 chicks from 2 days old until approximately 4 months old (laying hen breeds)
• Participate in training workshops to learn about chick care, husbandry, general health, housing, handling, and showmanship skills.

• Show their chickens with other program participants in the final WNC 4-H Pullet Project Show

Participants needed to obtain equipment for raising their chicks by the beginning of April. The startup equipment includes starter chick feed, chick size feeder and waterier, heat lamp, shavings, and larger feeder and waterier. The program goes over examples of equipment needed during the orientation workshops. Common household items may be used for some of the equipment.

Youth who had participated in the WNC 4-H Pullet Project in previous years could participate in 2024. Those participants must attend the mandatory orientations, showmanship clinic, and show. Second-year participants who paid for new chicks will be able to participate in BOTH breed and showmanship classes. Second-year participants who did not want additional chicks could compete in showmanship only if they chose to bring a bird from last year’s program.

Participation in 3 orientation workshops, the showmanship training clinic, and the final WNC 4-H Pullet Project was required.

Registration and a $60 registration fee was required to participate.  All participants had to be enrolled in 4-H Online to register.

For more information about 4-H in Cherokee County please contact, Shannon Coleman, shannon_coleman@ncsu.edu, or call 828-837-2210 ext. 4.