Kent 4-H

Kent County 4-H Animal Sciences

Youth in 4-H Animal Science learn and practice life skills with an emphasis on decision-making, acquiring knowledge, and taking personal responsibility through participation in 4-H animal science opportunities such as project animal care, judging, and bowl events. 

You do not have to own animals to participate in Kent County 4-H Animal Science educational opportunities!

Youth develop competencies in animal science, including an understanding of animal sciences and animal management as well as an awareness of agricultural issues in society (e.g. a concern for animal well being and increasing public agricultural literacy.) They will have opportunities to learn about the parts of an animal, breeds, costs to raise animals, how to care for animals and much more. 

Kent County's 4-H Program offers several animal science projects and programs throughout the year.  The educational opportunities are provided through hands-on programs whether raising your own animals or leasing animals.  

Animal Project Considerations

Tips for a First 4-H Livestock Project

Animal Science Project Areas in Kent County

  • Dairy Bowl, Skillathon, Judging
  • Dog Bowl, Skillathon
  • Horse Bowl, Judging, Hippology
  • Livestock Skillathon, Judging
  • Rabbit Judging

Kent County 4-H Program Information

Kent County Fair Animal Weight & Age Information

2021 Kent County Fair Animal Ages and Weights 

  • Market Broilers-Pair of broilers, each weighing a minimum of 3 lbs. each, under 7 weeks old (Hatched on or after June 4, 2021) *Submit copy of order receipt/shipping label
  • Market Ducks-Pair of ducks, each weighing over 7 pounds (Hatched on or after May 1, 2021) *Submit copy of order receipt/shipping label
  • Market Rabbits-3 rabbits, 3-5 pounds each, under 70 days old (Born on or after May 16, 2021)
  • Market Goat-55-135 pounds (Born after 9/1/20 and must have milk teeth)
  • Market Beef-minimum 1000 pounds (Born on or after 8/1/19)
  • Dairy Steer-minimum 1000 pounds (Born on or after 8/1/19)
  • Market Lambs-90-160 pounds (Born on or after 1/1/21)
  • Market Hogs-220-290 pounds (Born on or after 1/1/21)

Youth may sell one animal per species.  Market dairy steers and market beef steers are considered different species, so youth can sell one of each.

Animal Ownership Information & Deadlines

  • Must be enrolled in 4-H and applicable animal projects by May 1 of the current year to participate in the current year Maryland State Fair and Kent County Fair 4-H events.
  • Registration papers MUST be in the full name of the 4-H EXHIBITOR ONLY in order to be eligible as a 4-H project.
  • Breeding Animal Leases (Beef, Dairy, Sheep, Swine, and Goats)-A member may not own and lease animals in the same general project area.
  • Performance Animal Leases (Horse, Dog, Alpaca and Llama)-An animal may be leased by up to two different 4-H members.
  • All Dairy Cows* and Dairy Goats* must have been owned/leased by the youth before first freshening or before 2 years of age, whichever comes first.*

 

AnimalKent County Fair Ownership for 4-HMaryland State Fair Ownership for 4-HLease Form4-H Registration Form or Identification CardTagging & Weigh-InCompleted MD 4H AHQA
Alpaca6/17/16/1n/an/a7/1
Beef, Feeder Calves5/15/1n/a5/12nd Tues or Thurs in May7/1
Beef, Steers, Market1/11/1n/a1/21/27/1

Beef, Heifers,

Commercial,

Purebred

 

5/1

6/1

7/1 (registered)

6/1 (commercial)

 

5/1

5/1

5/1

5/1

(commercial)

7/1
Cavy6/16/1n/a5/1n/a7/1
Dairy Cattle*

7/1*

5/1 (leased)

7/1*5/1*n/an/a7/1
Dairy Steers, Market1/11/1n/a1/21/27/1
Dairy, Feeder Calves5/15/1n/a5/12nd Tues or Thurs in May7/1
Dog5/16/15/15/1n/an/a

Goats Commercial

Registered Breeding

Meat

 

5/1

6/1

7/1 (registered)

6/1 (commercial)

5/15/1

5/1

(commercial)

7/1
Goats, Dairy*6/1*7/1*6/1*n/an/a7/1

Goats, Market

(meat)

5/15/14n/a5/12nd Tues or Thurs in May7/1
Horse, Pony6/16/15/15/1n/a7/1
Pets (small & large)6/1n/an/an/an/an/a

Poultry Market

Broilers, Ducks

6/1

(intent form)

6/1n/a5/1n/a7/1

Poultry Waterfowl

Breeding

6/16/1n/a5/1n/a7/1
Rabbit, Breeding6/16/1n/a5/1n/a7/1
Rabbit, Market

6/1

(intent form)

6/1n/a5/1n/a7/1

Sheep Commercial

Registered Breeding

 

5/1

6/1

7/1 (registered)

6/1 (commercial)

5/1

5/1

 

2nd Tues or Thurs in May

(commercial)

7/1
Sheep, Market5/15/1n/a5/12nd Tues or Thurs in May7/1
Swine, Breeding6/17/15/15/1n/a7/1
Swine, Market5/15/14n/a5/12nd Tues or Thurs in May7/1

 

Maryland 4-H Animal Lease Forms

Tips & Considerations

Animal Project Considerations

Tips for a First 4-H Livestock Project

More on 4-H Youth Development in Kent County