What is Poultry Skillathon?

NC 4-H Poultry Skillathon is a practical, critical thinking exercise for youth to demonstrate their applied skills and knowledge of the poultry industry and how it relates to food animal protein production.  The NC 4-H Poultry Skillathon will be held in conjunction with the NC 4-H Avian Bowl.  Register in 4-H Online.

The top 3 Jr (8-13 y.o.) and Sr (14-18 y.o.) individuals will receive ribbons for being the highest scorer of the combined Written Test and Practicum; all youth competing will receive a participation ribbon.   

Winners of the Senior Age Category will win a free trip to the National Contest in Louisville, KY.

Skillathon Quick Start Guide

Skillathon Categories

1. Written Test (from Avian Bowl Manual study packet) (25 questions, 2 points per question) 
2. Practicum (See references below) (50 questions, 1 point per question)
   1. Identification
      1. Breed (15)
      2. Feed (10)
      3. Equipment (10)
      4. Anatomy (eggs, external, internal parts) (15)
         1. Identify the part, not the function

References

1. Written Test:  Avian Bowl Manual 2023; Study Packet 2024
2. Practicum
   1. Breed Identification
      1. APA Standards of Perfection (Breeds ID) or 
      2. Oklahoma State University or
         1. breeds.okstate.edu/poultry/
      3. American Livestock Conservancy or
         1. livestockconservancy.org/heritage-breeds/poultry-breeds/ 
   2. Equipment - Websites & Photos & Equipment Company
      1. Valley Vet
      2. Vevor
      3. Stromberg
         1. e.g. Equipment for ID:  Incubator, Ventilation, Generator, Inovoject, Drinker line
   3. Feed ID
      1. North Carolina State University - Feedstuffs
         1. Feedstuffs Explorer, for Sections: 4) Energy Feeds & 5) Protein Supplements
      2. Knowing the difference between different forms of complete feed
         1. Mash, crumble, pellets, and scratch feeds
      3. General Feed Milling Knowledge
   4. Anatomy
      1. Avian Bowl Manual
      2. University of Kentucky
         1. afs.ca.uky.edu/poultry/anatomy 

4-H Poultry Skillathon Event Date

The contest will be on July 7 at 11 a.m. at NC State Campus at Bostian Hall, Room 3712, 2721 Pillsbury Circle, Raleigh, NC 27695.

Registration

If you are registered for Avian Bowl, you are automatically signed up for Skillathon. If you are not competing in Avian Bowl, sign up for Skillathon in 4-H Online. Skillathon takes place while Jrs compete in Avian Bowl, Srs compete in Skillathon, and vice versa when Srs compete in Avian Bowl.

Registration is due Friday, June 5, 2026.The event takes place while Jrs compete in Avian Bowl, Srs compete in Skillathon, and switches when Srs compete in Avian Bowl.

For additional information, contact

Dr. Mary Fosnaught 4-H & Youth Development Extension Associate NC State Extension Prestage Department of Poultry Science Raleigh, NC 27695-7608

E-mail: mhfosnau@ncsu.edu
Phone: +1 919.515.5529