4-H NEWSLETTER

326 8th St., PO Box 68

Hugo, CO 80821

Phone: (719) 743 -2542

Fax: (719) 743-2555

Website:

lincoln.extension.colostate.edu

Facebook: Lincoln County Colorado

Extension

Robin Halley–Director, 4-H Youth

Development/Agriculture Agent

robin.halley@colostate.edu

Christine Schinzel-

4-H Program

christine.schinzel@colostate.edu

Amy Solomon-

Extension Program Assistant

coopext_lincoln@mail.colostate.edu

4-H Fun Day, Demon-

stration & Creative

Cooks Contests

Just to Get You Thinkin.

2

Animal Corner: Starting

Poultry Project

3-5

Activity Page 6

Calendar 7

Quick Reference Live-

stock Projects

8

Meat Quality Assurance

& 4-H Project Updates

9

Event Roundup 10

Information & Events 11-12

4-H’s 13

INSIDE:

March 2020

4-H Fun Day

Entrance Fee/Community Service

Reminder!!!

When: Friday, April 3 @ 1:00pm

Who: 4-H Members (8-18)

Cost: Each member needs to bring (for entrance to Fun Day) one of the below items for support of our community service project to donate items to the nursing homes!

-$5 donation

-Puzzles (large pieces)

-Notepaper pads

-Pens

-Paint by number or decoration kits of all kinds

-Word search books

-Large print reading books

Check out our Facebook Page @

Lincoln County Colorado Extension

for 4-H & Extension News &

Events!

2

4-H COUNTY FUN DAY INFORMATION:

JUST TO GET YOU THINKIN…

4-H DEMONSTRATION/SPEECH/JAMBOREE CONTEST:

4-H CREATIVE COOKS CONTEST:

When & Where: Friday, April 3 1:00-4:45pm at the Genoa-Hugo School!

What: Hands-on workshop activities for 4-H members (8-18) in the county.

Entrance Cost/Community Service Contribution for Nursing Homes: Bring one of the following items for

entrance ($5, puzzles, pens, notepads, large print games/books, word search books, paint by number

kits, etc.)

Bring a sweater or coat (as kids may be outside), wear clothes that you can get stained or dirty, and non

-marking soled shoes for the gym floor.

Early Supper Provided: 4:30-5:15pm (Club rotation-Rocking)

When & Where: Friday, April 3 Starting at 5:30pm at the Genoa-Hugo School!

Reminder to those that registered for the contest to let the office know by March 15 if you will need:

-To use a projector, microphone, piano, etc. a

-Mail or email a copy of all manuscript items including: speeches, music sheets, demonstrations.

Contestants need to arrive by 5:00pm.

When & Where: Friday, April 3 Starting at 5:30pm at the Genoa-Hugo School!

A reminder for those members that registered for the contest to review the rules for the contest at the

county website, under 4-H tab, “forms & applications, “county & state”, drive.google.com/file/

d/1cpBYCQdFle_sn4Se_gPjnXSuI9k4sbMR/view.

Members need to prepare their meal ahead of time as facilities use will not be available at the school.

Contestants need to arrive no later than 5:00pm to set up.

“A strong positive self-image is the best

possible preparation for success.”

-Joyce Brotherse “Learning never exhausts the mind.”

-Leonardo da Vinci

3

ANIMAL CORNER: STARTING A POULTRY PROJECT

Resources:

-mcmurrayhatchery.com/

-strombergschickens.com/

-cacklehatchery.com/

-purinamills.com/

education/

-Storey's Guide to Raising

Poultry [Book]

-extension.umn.edu/

poultry/small-scale-poultry

-amerpoultryassn.com/

-poultry.extension.org

veterinaryexten-

sion.colostate.edu/

-extension.msstate.edu/

agriculture/livestock/

poultry/diseases-poultry

-cdc.gov/features/

salmonellapoultry/

index.html

Many of us have been to the local farm store or event in the spring where they

offer baby poultry for sale. It’ s a great way to get customers in the door to buy

other items and many families take home a few baby chicks or ducklings as well.

However with all animal projects, taking an animal home means lots of responsi-

bility. It also comes with costs to purchase not only the birds, but the necessary

equipment, shelter, and on-going feed as well. The following are some re-

sources to hep you determine whether poultry is the right animal for you and

your family and what you might need.

What’s this Bird For?

*Many hatcheries have search queries and resources to help you determine

what breed or type of poultry might be best for you.

-Do you have ownership restrictions (location, number of head, type) based on

where you live?

-How many birds do you want and/or have room for?

-Where do you live (climate, moisture, terrain, predators)?

-Do you have adequate access to feed, water, shelter, and waste disposal?

-Are the birds for hobby enjoyment, hunting, meat or egg production, etc.?

-Are you looking for a short-term project or potentially to sell live birds or meat/

egg products to consumers?

Where to Buy:

-Hatcheries are the best location to order poultry from if you are specifically

looking for a certain type or ordering in quantities. Hatcheries also offer some

limited guarantees and usually have vaccinated their chicks.

-Be aware that chicks or baby birds purchased from farm stores that come in on

multiple order dates or sit around in the store for the general public to buy. The

birds will often be more stressed and have a more variable environment be-

cause of all the people and general location. This can be a good option though if

you are only buying a couple head or one chicken, one goose, etc.

-Many smaller feeds stores also do collaborative or group orders in the spring

for their customers. This offers you a chance to only purchase a few head and

you directly pick them up when the delivery comes in.

4

ANIMAL CORNER: STARTING A POULTRY PROJECT

Equipment & Shelter Basics:

-Waterer (start with the 1qt. size for baby poultry and then increase as they get bigger).

-Feeder (ones with lids often create less mess and contamination).

-Heat lamp (new birds need the temperature to be at least 100 degrees). *Cold birds will huddle,

while warm ones will spread out. A heat lamp may also be necessary for older birds in shelters that

have poor insulation or in extreme cold events.

-Thermometer for the chicken house.

-Bedding material.

-Enclosure or open top tank (baby birds in particular need an enclosure to keep them together and

to provide more stable heat. Ensure that the heat is only directly shining on part of the enclosure so

the birds can move away from the heat if they get too hot.

-Pitchfork, shovel, and a bucket or wheelbarrow to clean up.

-Provide an enclosed shelter for nights and cold weather that has proper ventilation and lighting.

-Consider a pen enclosure as well with a mesh wire top if you have predators in the area.

-Provide a roosting space for older birds and nesting boxes for egg production birds.

5

ANIMAL CORNER: STARTING A POULTRY PROJECT Feed & Water & Bedding:

-Many poultry feeds are now “complete” meaning they contain all the nutrients the poultry will need for a

particular age or production type. Be sure and read the bag to see what production or ages the feed has

been specifically formulated for. Laying hens will need additional oyster shell for egg production. Large bird

types such as turkeys and ducks will have some different nutritional needs than

chickens. It’s important to buy specially formulated feed and separate out the

groups when they are particularly young.

-Ensure access to clean and warm (new chicks) water.

-Ensure that the birds can’t fall in the water or it is very shallow.

-Separate different types of poultry (chickens, geese, turkeys) from each other until they are older as they

have different nutritional requirements; may be more aggressive than the other species and prevent others

from eating; or may cause unintentional drowning or chilled birds (i.e. ducks getting chicks wet).

-Change out the bedding on a weekly basis.

Healthy Birds & You:

-Keep new birds quarantined from other birds upon arrival-especially baby birds.

-Watch your birds for a few minutes each day to observe their behaviors so you will know when something

is abnormal and for signs of illness (cough, abnormal feces, off feed, etc.)

-Also observe whether the birds are spread out or huddled together. This may indicate a few different is-

sues including: predators nearby, heat issues, health, etc..

-Remove all birds and disinfect the shelter twice a year utilizing a disinfectant such as bleach and allow it to

air dry for several days or more when possible.

-Dust poultry for mites and utilize medicated feed as babies.

-Wash chicken equipment outside and do not bring birds in the house.

-Do not kiss your poultry, rub the birds next to your face, or eat while handling poul-

try.

-Always wash your hands after handling poultry and equipment and /or when mov-

ing between different poultry barns.

-Take shoes off on the porch after walking in the poultry pen and wash clothes.

-Very young children, elderly, or those with compromised immune systems should

avoid interaction with poultry, eggs, and equipment because they are more suscepti-

ble to picking up a disease or illness.

6

ACTIVITY PAGE: Monthly Reader:

Joseph had a Little Overcoat

by Simms Taback

Seed Germination Activity:

Supplies

-Cotton balls

-Quart Ziploc bags

-Plant seeds

-Water

-Measuring cup or bowl

Directions

-Fill the cup or bowl partially full with water.

-Soak 3-5 cotton balls in the cup/bowl of water (each bag).

-Place a couple of seeds on each soaked cotton ball.

-Then place the cotton balls with seeds inside the bottom of

the Ziploc bag.

-Seal the bag completely and tape onto the window or near a

sunny area in the house for a few days.

-Watch as the seeds begin to grow into plants.

*This activity can be completed in other containers as well. You

can also continue the activity by transplanting the plants into a

soil pot.

National Plant a Flower Day is March 12!!!

National Plant a Flower Day is a great way to gear up for spring and

starting planting some indoor seeds in pots to put out flowers when it’s

done freezing.

Planting flowers for yourself or others can help improve the landscape

and appearance of an area; create a habitat for pollinators and insects;

help others to enjoy beautiful flowers; and brighten someone’s day. Now

is a great time to look through the seed catalog and start your spring

planting activities!

7

Events and Information available at lincoln.extension.colostate.edu/events/

March 2020

S U N M O N T U E W E D T H U F R I S AT

1 4-H Pro-

ject Add/

Drop Dead-

line

2 3 County

Council mtg.

@ 7:00pm

4 5 6 7

8 Heartland

4-H Mtg.

9 Kountry

Kids 4-H

Mtg.

10 Fair-

board Mtg.

7:00pm @

Extension

Office

11 12 13 14 Karval 4-

H Mtg.

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Brush

Livestock

Field Day

22 23 24 25 26 27 District

Retreat

Camp

28 District

Retreat

Camp

29 District

Retreat

Camp

30 31 MQA

(Livestock

Kids) 4-

7:00pm @

Fairgrounds

April 1 April 2 April 3

-4-H Fun

Day 1:00pm

@ Hugo

School

-

Demonstra-

tion & Crea-

tive Cooks

Contest

5:30pm @

Hugo School

April 4

Lincoln/

Otero Live-

stock Judg-

ing Contest

@ Hugo

Fairgrounds

8

Quick Reference

for

Livestock Market Projects

Species Ideal Birth Date When to Acquire Suggest beginning

weight/age

Minimum Weight

at Fair

Maximum Weight

at Fair

Beef

Winter/ Spring of

previous year

Fall to Janu-

ary

650-850 lbs. Mintures

300- 400 lbs.

1000 lbs. Mintures 500 lbs.

1550 lbs. Mintures 1000 lbs.

Swine

After January 1st of

current year

March to

April

70-100 lbs. 230 lbs. 300 lbs.

Lamb

After January 1st of

current year

March to

April

50-90 lbs. 100 lbs. 175 lbs.

Goat

After December 1st

of previous year

March to

April

30-65 lbs. 50 lbs. 125 lbs.

Turkey

Hatched March 15th

-May 15th

March 15th to

May 15th

3 days old

Hens 13 lbs. Toms 20 lbs.

Hens 30 lbs. Toms 43 lbs.

Geese

Hatched March 15th

-May 15th

March 15th to

May 15th

3 days old

Pen of two 14 lbs.

Pen of two 28 lbs.

Duck

Hatched April 15th-

May 15th

April 15th-

May 15th

3 days old

Pen of two 12 lbs.

Pen of two 18 lbs.

Chicken Hatched May 15th-

June 20th

May 15th-

June 20th

3 days old

Pen of three Fryer 9 lbs.

Boilers 18 lbs.

Pen of three Fryer 18 lbs.

Boilers 30

lbs.

Rabbit

April 22nd- May 1st May 22nd –

June 5th

30 days old Pen of three Fryer 9 lbs.

Pen of three Fryer 17 lbs.

Select Tips: 1. Good Structured at a young age is very important, bad walkers get worse with weight. 2. Pick Healthy and Growthy (Fleshy) Young Prospects, more belly usually mean more growth 3. Balance usually makes more functional projects, unbalanced usually creates problems 4. Muscle makes meat, they are show market animals 5. Pick an animal with a good attitude, is makes for a better 4-H Year

Good Luck!!!! CSU Lincoln County Extension Director Robin Halley

9

Livestock/Horse/Dog Record Book Change- Livestock (including breeding, poultry, and rabbit), dog,

and horse projects will be using different record books than the ones on the Colorado 4-H website projects

page. The new books are available at: lincoln.extension.colostate.edu/4-h-projects-record-books/.

Fairbook:

Check out the February newsletter for some of the other changes to the fairbook this coming year. An updat-

ed copy will be available on the website this spring.

-Horse test will be Saturday, August 1 at 8:30am at the fairgrounds. Reading assistance will be provided for

test questions as in the past. Open Class Horse starts Monday of fair at 8:00am & 4-H starts at 8:30am.

-Lamb weight will have a maximum of 175lbs.

-All breeding animals will be allowed to come and go the week of fair. If breeding animals will be staying all

week; be sure and mark on your fair entry forms if you will need a stall/pen.

-Market livestock will be allowed to go home on Friday from 8:00-11:00pm or all livestock must be out from

7:00-9:00am on Saturday.

-State 4-H Deadline (only) -All cat, dog, and horse ID’s are due in 4H Online by May 1.

-County 4-H deadline (only)- All cat, dog, and horse Id’s are due by July 1.

COUNTY MEAT QUALITY ASSURANCE: MARCH 31 Meat Quality Assurance for 4-H/FFA members consists of walk-through learning stations and a test. The

training is required for all members who take livestock projects. Members will be required to complete

MQA going forward as follows:

1x–As a new member or first year taking a livestock project.

1x-When the member turns 4-H age of 10.

1x-When the member turns 4-H age of 14. *FFA members must attend as well their first livestock project

year when showing in FFA.

Lincoln County MQA Date: March 31 4-7:00pm at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds. *If you cannot make

the county date you will need to contact the office for a listing of other county trainings that you may

attend to complete your requirement. The following are some nearby MQA training locations.

4-H PROJECT UPDATES & REMINDERS:

3/5/2020 Pueblo

3/9/2020 Elbert

3/11/2020 Cheyenne

3/13/2020 Kiowa

3/17/2020 Prowers

3/19/2020 Otero/Crowley

4/1/2020 Washington

4/2/2020 Logan

4/5/2020 Sedgwick

4/6/2020 Phillips

4/8/2020 Yuma

4/9/2020 Yuma

4/13/2020 Kit Carson

4/19/2020 Adams

4/22/2020 Douglas

6/05/2020 Jefferson

5/15/2020 Larimer

5/18/2020 Morgan

10

EVENT ROUNDUP

Congratulations to Liliana Borders for being se-

lected to attend Citizenship Washington Focus

(CWF) in Washington, D.C. this summer. CWF is

an opportunity for students to learn about gov-

ernment, how to be citizen leaders, and how to

impact their communities at the local level.

Thank you to the Colorado 4-H Foundation and

the Lincoln County 4-H Foundation for providing

complete sponsorship of this years trip.

Leadership Development Camp Youth Fest Camp

Shooting Sports Safety Meetings

Congratulations to Elivia Hilferty on being se-

lected to attend the National 4-H Conference in

Maryland this spring. The conference allows

delegates to practice and apply skills related to

civic engagement. They work on important soci-

etal topics and have the opportunity to present

in front of federal officials in the Washington,

D.C. area.

11

INFORMATION & EVENTS

County:

**Forms, Fees, and registrations are due to office by (day stated) or (previous Friday) if day is a weekend

or holiday. County related forms and applications are available on the 4-H Forms & Applications page at

lincoln.extension.colostate.edu/4-h-forms-applications/.

Livestock Scholarship Donors-The Livestock Sale Committee is requesting monetary donations to help

provide 4-H/FFA youth livestock scholarships for beef, sheep, swine, and goat. To learn more about be-

coming a scholarship donor, please contact the office.

County Council will have a meeting on March 3 at 7:00pm at the Extension Office. Please RSVP.

Meat Quality Assurance Training (MQA) certification workshops will begin in February across the state

for participants in animal projects. If you cannot make our county training on March 31 starting at

4:00pm at the fairgrounds; then please contact the office for a listing of other available locations.

*Livestock Members are required to take MQA their first livestock project year, at age 10, and at age 14.

FFA members must take MQA the first year they are enrolled in FFA with a livestock project.

4-H Fun Day Workshops is April 3 from 1-5:00pm at the Genoa/Hugo High School. Supper is from 4:30-

5:15. 4-H Lincoln County Demonstration/Speech/Jamboree Contest and Creative Cooks contests will

both follow starting at 5:30pm at the school as well.

Shooting Sports Practice Shoot 1 is April 24 (Friday) for all disciplines. Practice 2 is May 29 for all disci-

plines. All shoots are at the Limon Gun Range.

4-H Foundation has updated their reimbursement scholarship form for 4-H camps and workshops. Go to

the Lincoln County 4-H/ Extension website and click under “4-H”, “Forms & Applications”, “Foundation”

to see the updated form and requirements at lincoln.extension.colostate.edu/4-h-forms-applications/.

Horse Ranch Classes– All members interested in taking ranch classes at fair will need to pass the Level 1

and Level 2 Ranch Horse Written and Riding Tests before exhibiting in those classes. Written tests can be

taken by appointment at the office anytime during the winter and spring and riding tests will be sched-

uled during early summer.

Other

Agriculture Future of America Scholarship is due March 11. Application information is available at ag-

future.org/scholarships.

Colorado Young Farmers Educational Association Academic Scholarship is due March 15. Application

information is available at cyfea.org/scholarships.html.

Sullivan Show Supply Scholarship is due March 15. The application is available at sullivansupply.com/

scholarships/.

Diane Hoppe Memorial Scholarship (Colorado Water Conservation Board) is due March 15. Application

information is available at cwcb.state.co.us/about-us/Pages/DianeHoppeScholarship.aspx.

12

INFORMATION & EVENTS Civilian Marksmanship Program Scholarship is due March 20. Information is available at thecmp.org/

communications/cmp-scholarship-program/?dom=foxnews&src=syn.

Murray Wise Associates Agriculture Scholarship is due March 20. Information is available at murray-

wiseassociates.com/about/scholarship/.

• Colorado Association Wheat Growers Scholarship is due March 27. Application information is available

at coloradowheat.org/8961.

American Guernsey Association Scholarships are due starting March 31. Check out their website at us-

guernsey.com/agya for complete information and deadlines.

Dairy MAX Scholarship application is due March 31. For information and application go to dairymax.org/

dairy/scholarships.

Johnathan Marr Memorial 4-H Scholarship is due April 1. The scholarship is for senior shooting sports

members who took the project at least four years. Contact Christine at the office for information.

Trans Ova Genetics Scholarship is due April 1. Additional information is available at transova.com/

youth#scholarships.

National Farmers Union Scholarships application is due April 1. Application information is available at

nfu.org/education/scholarships/.

Pueblo County 4-H Regional Horse Clinic is April 4-5 at the Colorado State Fairgrounds. Cost is $25 per

rider. For information and registration contact Beth Hayes at hayesb@pueblocounty.us.

Big R Producing Partners livestock 4-H/FFA members monetary project assistance applications are now

available at your local store till April 15.

Turf and Ornamental Communications Association Scholarship is due April 15. Information and applica-

tion is available at toca.org/toca-scholarship-2/.

National Dairy Shrine Scholarships for all applications are due April 15. Application information is availa-

ble at dairyshrine.org/youth/scholarship-applications.php.

GROWMARK Foundation Scholarship application is due April 17. Information is available at grow-

mark.com/scholarship.

Weld County Goat (Dairy/Meat) Extravaganza show and seminars is April 24-26 at Island Grove Region-

al Park in Greeley, CO. For information & registration go to weldgov.com/departments/csu_extension/

weld_county_goat_extravaganza.

Colorado 4-H Foundation Scholarship application is open until April 30. Information is available at co4h-

foundation.extension.colostate.edu/benefits/colorado-4-h-foundation-scholarships/.

Ride for the Wall Event (Limon Heritage Museum) is seeking volunteers to help hold and wave flags alongside the street when riders come through Limon on May 16. If you are interested in helping con-tact Mary Anderson before May at 719-740-0782.

13

Colorado State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Lincoln County cooperating. Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.

Any mention of company names and/or products doesn't imply an endorsement of those entities or their services nor does it imply a criticism of their competitors and products. Items mentioned are strictly for educational purposes.

Head–> Colorado Market Maker

Colorado Market Maker is a website dedi-cated to providing opportunities for produc-ers, buyers, and consumers to connect over Colorado food products. The site allows producers to register their business and products to showcase what they have to sell to buyers and consumers alike. Buyers have the opportunity to connect with specialty suppliers or local producers as well. It also allows consumers to find products that are locally sourced. The website provides linksto other states markets sites. Check out all the great information at co.foodmarketmaker.com/.

Hands–> CO Woody Plants App

The CO Woody Plants App was developed by

CSU Extension with other plant divisions in

the state to provide a resource for users to be

able to identify plants they come across. The

app allows users to search by plant character-

istics or the plant name. They also have a fa-

vorites section for frequently viewed plants.

A benefit to the app is it can work offline for

users who go hiking in remote locations. A

map provides locations to where the plant is

present in other counties as well. To down-

load the app go to the respective phone store

at:

Google Store:

play.google.com/store/apps/details?

id=com.RSF.woodyplants&hl=en_US

Apple Store:

apps.apple.com/us/app/co-woody-plants/

id1272828555

Health–> Buffet Food Safety

Buffets are a great way to allow guests to select food

choices and intermingle with other guests. However

they can also be a source of food illness if proper

steps are not taken.

-Ensure proper hygiene when preparing foods and

keep raw and cooked foods separate.

-Ensure foods have been kept or cooked at the prop-

er temperature prior to serving guests.

-Utilize small serving trays for all food and replace

trays at the buffet line frequently.

-Keep all foods separate from other foods and have

different serving utensils for all.

-Utilize individual packets for chips, butter, and con-

diments to prevent cross-contamination.

-Utilize heat sources for warm foods and ice for cold

foods to ensure proper temperature.

-Provide guests with new plates for seconds.

-Throw away perishable foods after sitting out longer

than one hour.

-Store leftovers immediately.

cdc.gov/foodsafety/serving-food-safely.html

Heart–> Blood Donations

Over 38,000 blood donations are needed every-

day and one donation can save up to 3 lives!!!

Whole blood donations are critical for not only

emergency situations but for those with recurring

illness or conditions. Many blood types are also

rare so inventory is limited. Consider becoming a

donor this year and to remember that youth ages

16+ can donate blood with a signed parental per-

mission form. Learn more about blood donations

and their importance at vitalant.org/Home.aspx#.