Nineteen 4-H’ers had an “eggs-tra” special time at the 2025 Vermont 4-H Poultry Day where they participated in competitions and workshops, presented posters and photos and worked on crafts.

The annual event, sponsored by UVM Extension 4-H, took place on March 22 on the University of Vermont (UVM) campus in Burlington. Participants, ages 8 to 18, heard from Dr. Kaitlynn Levine, Vermont assistant state veterinarian, about avian influenza and other poultry diseases while the 4-H Cloverbuds, ages 5 to 7, enjoyed story time with UVM 4-H Educator Lindy Birch who read books with a poultry theme.

All of the 4-H’ers took part in a hands-on workshop where they tested their knowledge of chicken and egg anatomy by placing parts on an outline of a hen. They also crafted whimsical 3-D chickens out of paper and other materials in a fun arts project.

4 kids holding ribbons and certificates
The more experienced poultry 4-H’ers matched wits in the Hens Division at the 2025 Vermont 4-H Poultry Day, March 22 in Burlington. Competing in this division were (left to right): Erin Whipple, Bristol; Bristol Card, Williston; Alexis Whipple, Bristol; and Remington Card, Williston. (photo: Sarah Birch)
5 kids holding ribbons and certificates
At the 2025 Vermont 4-H Poultry Day on March 22 in Burlington, five 4-H’ers competed in the Pullets Division (intermediate poultry knowledge). They were: Front row (left to right): Henry Lawrence, St. Albans and Claira Lucas, Orwell. Back row: Lane Fortune, Georgia; and Charlotte Clark-Lietar and Colt Card, both from Williston. (photo: Sarah Birch)
6 kids holding ribbons and certificates
Several 4-H Cloverbuds had fun learning about chickens and other poultry at the 2025 Vermont 4-H Poultry Day on March 22 in Burlington. Participating as Ducklings were: Front row (left to right):  Ida Birch, Derby and Casey Lucas, Orwell. Back row: Gianluca and Rosa Spano, Fairfax; Ellen Hodgdon, Bridport; and Jacob Wimett, Orwell. (photo: Sarah Birch)
4 kids holding ribbons and certificates
4-H’ers (left to right): Hannah Birch, Derby; Vito Spano, Fairfax; Julie Merlo, Swanton; and Paolo Spano, Fairfax; took part in the 2025 Vermont 4-H Poultry Day, held March 22 on the University of Vermont campus, vying for ribbons in the Peeps Division for competitors with beginner poultry knowledge. (photo: Sarah Birch)

In addition, many of the participants created a poultry-themed educational poster and/or took a photo of their project bird or a favorite bird from their flock to share with the audience as they talked about their experiences in the poultry project.

For the Question Quest (a Jeopardy-like contest) and poultry knowledge boards, the 4-H’ers were divided into groups, based on each individual’s level of poultry expertise. The scores of these two contests were combined for overall placements.

The divisions were Hens (advanced poultry knowledge), Pullets (intermediate poultry knowledge) and Peeps (beginner poultry knowledge). Ducklings (4-H Cloverbuds) also took part in the contests and received participation ribbons but were not scored.

Results for the competitions were:

  • Hens: Erin Whipple, Bristol (first); Bristol Card, Williston (second); Alexis Whipple, Bristol (third); Remington Card, Williston (fourth)
  • Pullets: Henry Lawrence, St. Albans (first); Claira Lucas, Orwell (second); Lane Fortune, Georgia (third); Charlotte Clark-Lietar (fourth) and Colt Card (fifth), both from Williston
  • Peeps: Hannah Birch, Derby (first); Vito Spano, Fairfax (second); Julie Merlo, Swanton (third); Paolo Spano, Fairfax (fourth)
  • Ducklings: Ida Birch, Derby; Ellen Hodgdon, Bridport; Casey Lucas, Orwell; Gianluca and Rosa Spano, Fairfax; Jacob Wimett, Orwell

Each participant received a T-shirt, poultry-themed book and choice of other prizes. 

UVM Extension 4-H Educators Birch and Martha Manning organized the event and were assisted by adult volunteers Sarah Birch, Derby; Adrienne Card, Williston; Amanda Gifford, Fairfax; and Kristina Whipple, Bridport.

To learn more about Vermont 4-H or the 4-H poultry project, call the UVM Extension 4-H state office at (800) 571-0668 (toll-free).