Growing Broilers for the East Texas Poultry Festival

August 10, 2017 - Broilers are meat type chickens usually about 6 to 7 weeks of age when ready for processing. The 4-H broiler project is a very popular youth project. Their popularity is because the projects are shorter in length, require less space, and are less expensive than many other 4-H livestock projects.

Because all the birds are from the same genetic source, the differences in the conformation of the birds is due to the management practices of the competitor.

A successful entry requires good management skills such as maintain the proper environment, disease control, feeding good quality feed, and keeping good records. The contestants also learn what selection criteria are necessary when choosing their pen of birds to show.

In preparation for the upcoming East Texas Poultry Festival in October and the arrival of baby chicks in late August, the Shelby County Extension office will be hosting a Broiler Show Workshop on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the new county Extension office located at 266 Nacogdoches Street in Center.

Topics to be covered include:

  • Housing/broiler pens requirements
  • How to brood the chicks
  • Litter management
  • Lighting
  • Feeding your broilers
  • Ventilation for your birds
  • Culling your flock
  • Flock health
  • Selecting your pen for exhibition
  • Handing birds for show
  • What to do with your remaining broilers after the contest

There will also be time to answer any questions parents and youth may have on successful raising and showing of broilers. All broiler show exhibitors and their parents, whether veterans or new to the project are encouraged to attend this workshop session.  

For additional information on this project or workshop, be sure to contact Lane Dunn, CEA-Ag/NR at 936-598-7744 or jldunn@ag.tamu.edu.