Local 4-H club focuses on healthy chickens and public outreach in the Sierra.
When it comes to raising chickens, all members in a household can take part. Marie Fong is the leader of several 4-H groups in the Reno-Tahoe area, including the Practically Perfect Poultry chicken club, To Grow or Not to Grow garden club, and Honey Hurts beekeeping club. Marie, along with her husband, Bill, and their three daughters, Keira, Aria, and Elora, all appreciate the lessons and experiences 4-H offers, as well as the many great stories that come with taking care of domestic fowl.
Practically Perfect Poultry welcomes children who have chickens, as well as those who don’t.
“It’s not mandatory that you have poultry because those kids may be getting into the hobby or possibly cannot have them for various reasons,” the Reno resident says. “We focus on breed, health, and husbandry. The kids like to show at local fairs, but they also do a lot of educational outreach at events, schools, and daycares.”
While some may raise chickens for meat, this 4-H club focuses on egg production, feather health, and overall garden and farm pest control. A lot of the programming centers on chicken health and raising new chicks.
“They have a very quick life cycle, and it’s fun and interesting to watch,” Fong says. “The children help incubate and hatch chicks, support chick sales, and help new club members, where a lot of children are adding to or just beginning their flocks.”
In addition to the hands-on activities, Fong says, club members benefit from talking to the public during various local events, including National Ag Day on March 21 this year and Capital City Farm Days in April in Carson City, and Meet the Turkeys at Rancho San Rafael Park in Reno in November.
“All the kids who participate in 4-H enjoy the public interaction side of it,” she adds, “speaking to people, learning to speak to crowds, enjoying the camaraderie of being able to meet and share with each other. They have a constantly growing skill base in an environment that really supports that type of science.”
Children Love Chicks
Marie’s eldest daughter, Keira, is in eighth grade and has been involved in 4-H for five years. Some of her favorite moments have been when the group is teaching people about what interests the members.
“I particularly like some of the questions we get, and they aren’t always about our chickens,” Keira says. “There was a little kid that asked me if my angora rabbit was a Chihuahua. A couple times at Meet the Turkeys, they’ve asked me if my turkey was a rooster. I’ve had someone ask me if my turkey was a rooster or a hen; I had to explain to them that it was a turkey.
“My favorite part about taking care of the chickens is going out and feeding them because they all swarm around you,” she continues. “It’s hard not to trip over them, but it’s really sweet. Getting the eggs is fun, too. My least favorite part is stepping in chicken poop and when we lose the chickens.”
Aria, who is 10 years old, adds, “I like being in 4-H because it gives you lots of opportunities to interact with a variety of livestock that you haven’t handled before. I really enjoy having my chicks and chickens follow me around the garden. Taking my birds on field trips and to shows is very exciting.”
Five-year-old Elora echoes the sentiment.
“I really enjoy showing off my turkey and chicken friends at different events,” she says. “Having chicks is so fun because they are cute and love to snuggle.”
Heidi Bethel is gearing up to welcome chickens to her homestead this spring. Her two young boys are excited and eager to learn all there is to know about these new feathered family members.
RESOURCES
To learn more about 4-H in Reno-Tahoe, visit the UNR Cooperative Extension 4-H office at Extension.unr.edu/4h/washoe.aspx, or call 775-336-0259.
For details about the Practically Perfect Poultry chicken club and Fong’s other activities, find The Little Farm on Mayberry on Facebook and Instagram.
