Halifax and Northampton counties recently held a collaborative 4-H Poultry Show at the 4-H Horse & Livestock Complex in Halifax, sheltering participants from the rain and providing the space conducive to adhering to all of the state, university, and local guidelines. 

The 4-Hers have been working with their chicks since early June, participating in virtual workshops learning all project components leading up to the show. “The resiliency of our 4-H youth encouraged North Carolina Cooperative Extension personnel to persist with an in-person show, putting into place procedures to protect the health and safety of the youth and their families,” said Jerry E. Edmonds IV, 4-H extension agent.

In the gallery: First photo — Bentley Iles of the Clovers in The Neck 4-H Club handling his bird. Second photo — From left, Carson Keeter, Wyatt Twisdale of  Huckleberry Swamp 4-H Club, and Edmonds. Third photo — From left, Halifax / Northampton County Livestock Agent Beth Burchell and Cameron Byrd,  vice president of Clover in the Neck 4-H Club, showcase Byrd’s poster project.

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In the pullet evaluation class,  4-H’ers exhibited the young hens they have raised from baby chicks for evaluation. The Grand Champion pullet was shown by Kathryn Keeter from the Huckleberry Swamp 4-H Club and the Reserve Champion pullet was shown by Bentley Iles of the Clovers in the Neck 4-H Club.

The Showmanship Division focused on the 4-H’er presenting their bird to the judge and answering basic questions on their care needs. 

In the Junior Showmanship Category, Cameron Byrd from the Clovers in The Neck 4-H Club located in Scotland Neck earned first place and Wyatt Twisdale from the Huckleberry Swamp 4-H Club in Enfield earned second place.

“Through 4-H projects such as these, youth develop important communication, research implementation, and critical thinking life skills. For our Cloverbuds, we emphasize the importance of developing these essential life skills rather than the competition component,” said Edmonds.