4-H Animal Projects

Interested in animals? Learn about animal care, selection and more in Hamilton County 4-H.

Poultry:

4-H Chick Chain

Register Now for the 2024 Chick Chain! Deadline is February 15, 2024. Download Registration Form

Youth in grades 4th through 12th who are enrolled in 4-H in Hamilton County can participate in 4-H Chick Chain (enroll in 4-H online). The 4-H Chick Chain program is offered each year, with registration in January and February. The registration deadline is February 15, 2024, and all forms and payment must be received in the Extension Office by this date. Youth and parents/guardians are required to participate in a free orientation program in March. 4-H Chick Chain members purchase 12 baby chicks through 4-H (cost is $60/$65 if paid online) and pick them up in the spring. In the Fall, youth can participate in poultry judging and will bring 3 of their best hens to the Hamilton County Fair to participate in a poultry show and a Chick Chain Auction, with sale of the birds split between 4-H youth and 4-H program. For more information, read the 2024 Chick Chain registration form and contact the Extension Office (423-209-8560)

boy with a chicken


Horse:

The Mane Attraction 4-H Horse Club

Girl with horse

Be a part of the 4-H horse project in Hamilton County. 4-H Horse Club members may also participate in the Hippology/Horse Bowl, which is a fun team-oriented contest that tests your knowledge of horses. For youth in grades 4th-12th. Ownership of a horse is not required, only a love of horses! Parents are welcome to accompany youth to meetings, which are held on the 1st Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Saddle Pals Riding Club in Soddy Daisy. The focus of 4-H Horse Club meetings is learning about horses, not horseback riding. For more information, contact the Extension Office (423-209-8560).


Veterinary Science:

Tennessee 4-H Vet Science Club, Chattanooga Chapter

Tennessee 4-H Virtual Vet Science Club: Tennessee 4-H youth development and the University of Tennessee's College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) are excited to announce the second year of the Tennessee 4-H virtual vet science club.

Meets monthly at the Extension Office. Next meetings is Thursday, February 1 at 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. on the 3rd floor of the UT-TSU Extension Hamilton County office, 6183 Adamson Circle in Chattanooga.

Hamilton County students in grades 4th-12th can participate in the Tennessee 4-H Vet Science Club, Chattanooga Chapter. This club meets on the first Thursday of each month from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Extension Office (6183 Adamson Circle in Chattanooga). Club meetings feature participating in the virtual vet science club from the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, as well as local club activities. To join this club, just come to a meeting and fill out a 4-H enrollment form, or join 4-H using the online 4-H enrollment form. There is no cost to participate. For more information, call the Extension Office at 423-209-8560.

Find links to watch the recordings of previous meetings at the Virtual Vet Science page at the Tennessee 4-H state website: https://4h.tennessee.edu/virtual-vet-science/


Wildlife:

Wildlife Judging/Evaluation (4th-12th grade) – April and May

Image of a page from the WHEP (wildlife habitat education program) manual, giving information about peregrine falcons, as an example of the material students will be studying to prepare for the 4-H wildlife judging contest.
Excerpt from the WHEP manual, found at https://www.whep.org/

Meets Tuesday, February 13, March 19, and April 9 at 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Extension Office. 6183 Adamson Circle in Chattanooga. 4th-12th grade students learn about wild animals and their habitats through the 4-H Wildlife Program. Students use the Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) manual to prepare for the 4-H Wildlife Judging Contest. The Regional Contest is May 10, 2024 at the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge, and all Hamilton County 4-H members can participate – contact Extension Agent Maria Sabin to register for the contest. Come to the February, March and April meetings to help you prepare for the Contest. At these meetings youth will learn how to use pelts, skulls, calls, and habitat information to identify wildlife and decide on habitat needs. There is no cost to participate in these wildlife meetings or to compete in the May 10 contest.

Videos and online material are also available to help students prepare for the contest. Youth learn about more than 50 animals that can be found in the state of Tennessee, including the gray fox, peregrine falcon, timber rattlesnake, American bullfrog and largemouth bass. They also learn to identify trees and other plants that are important in determining the quality of animal habitat. To participate in this contest, start studying the WHEP manual and other material about wildlife and wildlife habitat at the Hamilton County 4-H Wildlife Judging Team website. Contact the Extension Office for more information (423-209-8560) or email HamiltonCounty4H@tennessee.edu.