The National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference recognizes senior 4-H members who are 14 years of age as of January 1, and who have excelled in their state 4-H poultry learning activities.

This site is designed to help 4-H professionals, volunteer leaders, as well as future and past participants, get a good overview of the entire National 4-H Poultry and Egg Program. The overall objective is to offer national-level activities and contests designed to introduce participants to poultry and the poultry industry.

Information packet mailed to state 4-H leaders:

• 2024 Cover letter (pdf) plus State 4-H leader form that must be filled out for every state (pdf)
• 2024 Information packet (pdf)

The poultry judging contest teaches participants to make decisions in an orderly manner, use reasoning skills, and communicate decisions. They also learn to use USDA grading criteria to determine the quality of ready-to-cook poultry and eggs.

In the egg chef challenge, contestants must prepare an egg dish, demonstrate presentation skills, and incorporate knowledge of the egg industry, food safety, egg quality, and nutrition.

The avian bowl is a double elimination contest for state teams patterned after other knowledge bowls. Contestants must have a comprehensive knowledge of the subject matter for several species of poultry, food safety, physiology, nutrition, eggs, and other related subjects.

The chicken and turkey barbecue contests involve skills in barbecuing, preparation of a product, and a presentation that demonstrates knowledge of the subject industry, food safety, and product attributes.

The National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference helps develop leadership and decision-making skills in youth who are interested in poultry and poultry products. Outside support for the conference helps defray costs associated with the conference and associated leadership contests. Please consider supporting this conference to ensure its continuance at its current high level of quality. To receive further information, and be placed on the donor list, contact Dr. Jacquie Jacob, conference secretary at:

Dr. Jacquie Jacob
Department of Animal and Food Sciences
604 Garrigus Building
Lexington, KY 40546-0215
Phone: 859-257-7613
Fax: 859-257-2534
E-mail: Jacquie.jacob@uky.edu

List of Donors and sponsors

Donor information: The National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference (Tax ID: 82-2033022) is a Non-Profit (educational) Corporation under 501(c)(3) status. The date of incorporation is 6/30/2017 and runs in perpetuity. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Educational programs of the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.