Doing the Bunny Hop, The Funky Chicken, and Something About a Goat?

                            

  No we weren't learning new dances, though looking at the topics we can see how you might be confused.  Actually we were learning all about animals.  May marks our annual 4-H Animal Science animal training and animal give out.  Youth and parents come to learn about taking care of their animals for their projects and get introduced to other animals as well.

  The day started with introductions, a layout of the facility, and information about project records.  Each youth who registers for animal science is required to complete an animal science project record.  This is a written record of what thy have done a learned in this project.  The forms for a project record can be found on the state 4-H page as well as on our own Robeson County Extension Website.

 

Then it was time to hit a workshop.  We offered workshops for goats, pigs, heifers, rabbits, and poultry.  The workshops rotated every half hour so youth got a chance to experience a variety of animals.  

A special thanks to the group who came from Richmond County to teach our goat workshop.  Lead by 4-H Agent Laura Grier and Livestock Agent Tiffanee Conrad-Acuna, volunteer Jessica Hamilton and daughters Brianna and Abbigail taught a hands on workshop.  Youth learned about looking for worms, deworming, grooming, and general care.  Youth had a blast filing horns, and shaving the goats.  Several youth said they want to raise a goat next year.

 

Benjamin Herndon returned to teach poultry.  He spoke about laying hens, broilers, and raising turkeys.  He showed the youth how to handle their birds, talked about feeding them and creating a home for them.  Youth got to practice holding mature birds and learned about the barred rock hens they would be receiving.

  Anthony Bullard and his father Tony as handled our rabbit workshop again this year.  The rabbits are one of our most popular selections because youth who live in cities can still raise these animals,  youth got tips on building pens, cleaning them, feeding their rabbit and ensuring that they stay happy and healthy.  They even got tips such as freezing water in a two liter bottle and putting it in the pen as an air conditioning unit for the rabbit.

  After the training we answered questions, completed evaluations and washed our hands and enjoyed lunch cooked on the grill by one of our volunteers.  After lunch we distributed animals and everyone went home getting ready to jump on their animal science projects.  The culmination of this project will take place at the Robeson County Fair October 4-12.

  If you would like to know more about the animal science program please contact the Robeson County 4-H Staff at 910-671-3276.