What animal should I raise for 4H?

Question

This is my first year in 4H and I am confused about which animal to raise. So can anyone help me out and help me pick an animal that would be good for my first year and also what kinds of things should I look for when picking out my animal?

Answer 1

I myself would choose a pig. They are easy to take care of and they will make you a few hundred dollars profit. Well, mine did! Good luck with whatever you choose.

Answer 2

It depends.. are you willing to spend around 1-3 hours a day to train it and make it the best quality?

Well, Lamb, Goats, hogs, cattle are going to need that time.

I'd say the best thing is leghorn Chicken or meat pen. Are you trying to earn money? If not you can show any rabbit just for show. I showed a mini lop my first year and she got first place. I didn't even do anything with her except handle her(Which is easy).

Answer 3

what's 4H?

Answer 4

I would choose about three chickens:

You can make money from the eggs and there is the possibility of selling for meat. They are relatively easy to keep as you can keep them in your garden in a chicken run which is a bit like a rabbit hutch.

Answer 5

Well what purpose do you want it for?  Do you think you could handle letting go of a market animal.  There are a lot of animals you can show in 4-H, even dogs.  

Answer 6

Aren't some people dumb?

A lamb would be good.  They are friendly and easy to handle.

Answer 7

Most of the kids I know that are using their 4-H projects for college money start at a much younger age and save for years.  But I've known people who paid for college with their steer projects as well.

Larger animal projects are more difficult to start with and many kids will end up either losing money or breaking even.  My friend's daughter barely made $100 on her two market hogs this year, as most of her auction money paid the feed bill.  Depending on the project and your experience, it may not be as profitable as you think.

From what you've indicated, you haven't had much experience with livestock, and I'd hate to see you invest alot of time and money in an expensive project and not see it turn out the way you're hoping for.  I think your best bet is probably going to be a poultry project.  It's not as expensive as starting with larger livestock, and you can do a pet project or a meat pen.

Selection criteria for your animal is going to depend on what project you decide to do.  Our extension office takes orders for most meat birds and the kids get chicks, ducklings or poults from the same source.  This way, they're guaranteed a reliable source and everyone starts their projects from the same point.  For other market animals, advisors and other club members can make recommendations for breeders and suppliers.

My oldest son has been showing fancy poultry for 4 years and he brings a brood pen to fair every year and sells juveniles and adults.  The birds are purchased by other kids in 4-H and hobbyists.  But we have an established flock, so if you're starting from scratch and factor in the expenses of feeding, supplies and such, you'd have to sell alot of birds to break even, much less make a profit.  Part of any project you do in 4-H requires you to track your expenses in your project book, and many kids are surprised that the $100-200 they made at fair hasn't covered their feed bill for the year.

That being said, I've been trying to talk my son into trying meat birds - particularly meat quails.  They're small, require less feed than meat chickens, ducks or turkeys, and the champion pen this year sold for over $400 at our fair.  Average auction price for quail pens was about $200 across the board.  I'd recommend checking into it, as I think this could be a great starter project for you and may very well help you put some money aside for college.

Also, active members of 4-H have chances to apply for college scholarships.  You definitely want to check into those opportunities as well!

  

Answer 8

4H is animal organization more towards domestics such as: Rodents, horses, chickens, dogs, ect. All I know about the 4H near my community is that most of them hold animal contests ( especially for the goats ), petting zoos, and adoption stands at fairs large fairs. Good for community service and also great on college applications.  

In order for more assistance could you possibly make a list of animals that seem appealing to you? From there I could help you wedge the pros & cons of having the animal you wish to raise.

Answer 9

im not quite sure what u mean, but ive heard of people taking horses to 4H.