Skip to main content

Logo for N.C. Cooperative Extension N.C. Cooperative Extension Homepage

4-H Poultry Judging Program 2023

en Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

4-H Poultry Judging - Chickens, Eggs, Ready-to-cook and live birds; interactive learning with games, a trip to NC state univeristy for the contest. Image has chicken closeup and 4-H and Cooperative Extension Logos
Poultry judging is for youth ages 8-18 as of January 1! If youth would like to participate, we would love for them to do and more information about the program is below along with links. Youth MUST register in 4-H Online in order to participate. The registration link will take you to the 4-H Online page where you can sign-up in 4-H Online or you can login and see the program under the “Events” tab in your account. Please let us know if you need any help or have trouble accessing it!

Dates for Poultry Judging Practices

ALL TIMES ARE THE SAME:  4:00-5:00 p.m. and every practice is on a Monday afternoon unless otherwise noted. The next practice is:
  • May 8, 2023
  • May 22, 2023
  • June 5, 2023

Register Online

Poultry Judging Competition Information

The 2023 4-H Poultry Judging competition will be at NC State University July 18th. For information on attending the competition and participating as part of a team or as an individual from Craven County, see contact information at the bottom of the page.

Poultry Judging Manual

The 4-H Poultry Judging manual is produced by the University of Kentucky and is available at the link below. We have put together a composite of the manual in one PDF Version and that is available for download below. There are a few extra notes on the composite than are on the original, but feel free to access either one.

Download Poultry Judging PDF

University of Kentucky Poultry Judging Manual Website

Why Poultry Judging?

Students will learn . . .

  • Poultry Judging promotes the study of unique agricultural fields
  • To think critically
  • To make decisions based on a rubric or set of ideal standards
  • To decisively communicate their decisions to others
  • About poultry life cycles
  • Where their poultry produce comes from
  • How to grade eggs inside and out
  • How to judge production laying hens so that you can tell if a bird is going to be a good layer
  • How to grade ready-to-cook birds
  • The different cuts of meat for chickens
  • How to prepare your meat safely in your home
  • Participate at the State Poultry Competition at NC State University!
This is for youth ages 8-18 as of January 1, 2023. Please let me know if you would like to participate or would like more information. You can email the 4-H Agent, Ashley L. Brooks, at albrook4@ncsu.edu.

Poultry Judging gives students a look into one of the unique fields of agriculture. They gain insight and knowledge of what is involved in the poultry industry and how that affects them personally as they consume poultry products.

It gives students a look at how food is graded and what is safe and appropriate to eat along with being able to identify what they are eating and how to safely handle and cook their meat.

It also contributes to critical thinking and communication skills. Part of the program requires students to make decisions based on pre-determined criteria and to explain why they made the decisions they did to a judge. Students increase in skills and confidence in their speaking abilities and learn to make good decisions for specific reasons.

We will be starting our Poultry Judging Practices beginning Wednesday, January 5th at 4:00 p.m. on Zoom and will continue having them every other week until the contest. Please return to this page for updates, times, and cancelations.