4-H Animal Science

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.

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.)

Youth have opportunities to learn about the parts of an animal, breeds, costs to raise animals, how to care for animals and much more. Youth can learn about animals without owning one!

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

Animal Project Considerations

Tips for the First 4-H Livestock Project

Animal Science Project Areas in Kent County

General Animal Science Information - Ownership Information & Deadlines

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.*

 

Animal

Kent County Fair Ownership for 4-H

Maryland State Fair Ownership for 4-H

Lease Form

4-H Registration Form or Identification Card

Tagging & Weigh-In

Completed MD 4H AHQA
Alpaca 6/1 7/1 6/1 n/a n/a 7/1
Beef, Feeder Calves 5/1 5/1 n/a 5/1 2nd Tues or Thurs in May 7/1
Beef, Steers, Market 1/1 1/1 n/a 1/2 1/2 7/1

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
Cavy 6/1 6/1 n/a 5/1 n/a 7/1
Dairy Cattle*

7/1*

5/1 (leased)

 7/1* 5/1* n/a n/a 7/1
Dairy Steers, Market 1/1 1/1 n/a 1/2 1/2 7/1
Dairy, Feeder Calves 5/1 5/1 n/a 5/1 2nd Tues or Thurs in May 7/1
Dog 5/1 6/1 5/1 5/1 n/a n/a

Goats Commercial

Registered Breeding

Meat

 

5/1

6/1

7/1 (registered)

6/1 (commercial)

 5/1 5/1

5/1

(commercial)

 7/1
Goats, Dairy* 6/1* 7/1* 6/1* n/a n/a 7/1

Goats, Market

(meat)

 5/1 5/14 n/a 5/1 2nd Tues or Thurs in May 7/1
Horse, Pony 6/1 6/1 5/1 5/1 n/a 7/1
Pets (small & large) 6/1 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Poultry Market

Broilers, Ducks

6/1

(intent form)

 6/1 n/a 5/1 n/a 7/1

Poultry Waterfowl

Breeding

 6/1 6/1 n/a 5/1 n/a 7/1
Rabbit, Breeding 6/1 6/1 n/a 5/1 n/a 7/1
Rabbit, Market

6/1

(intent form)

 6/1 n/a 5/1 n/a 7/1

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, Market 5/1 5/1 n/a 5/1 2nd Tues or Thurs in May 7/1
Swine, Breeding 6/1 7/1 5/1 5/1 n/a 7/1
Swine, Market 5/1 5/14 n/a 5/1 2nd Tues or Thurs in May 7/1

 

Maryland 4-H Animal Lease Forms

Animal Lease Program Statement of Understanding and Release

Breeding Animal Lease

Performance Animal Lease

General Animal Science Information - Kent County Fair Animal Weights & Ages

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