Join 4-Hers from our 16 county Northwest Extension district and learn how to raise and care for chickens. At the end of the project, there's a district show where you'll show off your birds and everything you've learned. This website will support you throughout your project.
Review each tab to learn more about the NWD 4-H Chick Chain project.
Care & Nutrition - learn how to feed and care for your growing birds.
Record book - each 4-Her will complete a record book.
Showmanship - all 4-Hers will participate in showmanship competition
Skill-a-thon - First-time participants and Cloverbuds will compete in a fun test of what you know.
Avian Adventures - Returning participants will develop and deliver an illustrated talk presentation or demonstration.
Photography - take pictures of your birds throughout your project. Then enter them in this fun (optional) competition.
Show Day - Learn what to expect, what to wear, and what to bring on show day.
Choose a breed to raise this year.
Australorp
Brahmas
Cochin (any variety)
Marans
Orpington (any variety)
Plymouth (Barred) Rock
Rhode Island Red
Sussex
Wyandottes (any variety)
All Other Breeds - birds not one of the above will be grouped at the show as A.O.B.
August 1-September 30, 2025
Watch the overview video at the top of this page.
Enroll/re-enroll in 4-H. Junior, Intermediate, and Senior 4-Hers will pay a $20 Florida 4-H membership fee.
Choose "Chick Chain NWD" as your 4-H club.
Choose Poultry Science as a project. There is no fee to enroll in the project.
September 1, 2025 to October 31, 2025
Purchase or hatch your 4-H Chick Chain chicks - begin your project with at least three birds.
Read all about Care & Nutrition, and watch the videos.
September 4, 2025
4-H Club Meeting on Zoom
6:30-7:30 p.m. Central- 7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern
October 2025
Print your Record Book or save it to your Google Drive.
Begin entering information as soon as you purchase or hatch your chicks.
October 2, 2025
4-H Club Meeting on Zoom
6:30-7:30 p.m. Central- 7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern
November 2025
Read all about Record Books and watch the video.
November 6, 2025
4-H Club Meeting on Zoom
6:30-7:30 p.m. Central- 7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern
December 2025
Read all about showmanship and watch videos.
Read all about the skill-a-thon and start studying.
December 4, 2025
4-H Club Meeting on Zoom
6:30-7:30 p.m. Central- 7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern
January 2026
Poultry Perfection Workshops
4-H Presentations Bootcamp Session 1 (returning 4-Hers) on Zoom
Practice skill-a-thon topics
Practice showmanship
Create and practice your presentation (returning 4-Hers)
February 2026
Poultry Perfection Workshop.
4-H Presentations Bootcamp Session 2 (returning 4-Hers) on Zoom.
Q & A Webinar
Practice skill-a-thon topics
Practice showmanship
Create and practice a presentation (returning 4-Hers)
February 5, 2026
4-H Club Meeting on Zoom
6:30-7:30 p.m. Central- 7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern
March 5, 2026
4-H Club Meeting on Zoom
6:30-7:30 p.m. Central- 7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern
March 23, 2026 - Record books & photography entries due to your 4-H Agent
March 28, 2026 - Northwest District 4-H Chick Chain Show at the Washington County Ag Center - 1424 Jackson Ave, Chipley, FL.
2025-2026 participants - Bring your ONE BEST bird to exhibit and be judged.
All 4-Hers will participate in showmanship and skill-a-thon.
2024-2025 participants - Bring your ONE BEST bird to exhibit and be judged.
Returning Chick Chain 4-Hers will participate in Avian Adventures.