POULTRY JUDGING CONTEST
(Special Awards provided by U.S. Poultry & Egg Association)

Purpose of the Contest:

1. To develop youth and help them learn the techniques of logical, accurate decision making; to learn to recognize the reasons for their decisions; and to develop the ability to express their reasons orally.
2. To help youth learn and understand standards used in poultry and egg production and marketing, and to apply the standards in a realistic decision-making situation.
3. To serve as an award activity and trip for youth who have achieved superior levels of performance in state competition and thus stimulate the learning process, interest, and enthusiasm.
4. To help youth with career guidance.
5. To promote the poultry industry.

Rules and Information:

1. Each state is eligible to enter a team of three (3) or four (4) bona fide 4-H members and/or one (1) independent individual in the contest. If, a state does not enter a team, the state can enter up to two (2) independent individuals. However, once an individual competes at the national level in 4-H poultry judging (as an individual or part of a team) they are ineligible to compete in the national 4-H poultry judging contest in the future.

2. Contestants need not be enrolled in poultry projects and are not required to have conducted a poultry project in the current year.

3. All classes will be set up in accordance with the Rules and Standards printed in the National Poultry Judging Manual "University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension 4-H 460" 2002 revised edition

.

They can be purchased for $4.50 each from,

Cooperative Extension Bulletin Distribution P.O. Box 68583-0918
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE 68583-o918

Phone: (402) 472-9713
Fax: (402) 472-0542
e-mail: gnickels1@unl.edu

4. The contest will consist of the following three divisions: Production, Market Poultry, and Market Eggs. A perfect individual score in Production will be 500 points; in Market Poultry, 500 points; and in Market Eggs, 500 points; for a total of 1,500 points. A perfect team score will be 4,500 points.

5. The classes to be judged will be as listed in No. 25.

6. Judging smocks will not be supplied to contestants.

7. Placing cards will be provided for all contestants. An example of each card is given in No. 25. Each contestant will write his/her placing on the proper card and hand it to the monitor before shifting to the next class.

8. Teams will be divided so that no two contestants from a state will be in the same group. Each group will remain together throughout the contest. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action.

9. Ten (10) minutes will be allowed for placing each class. Also, a maximum of two (2) minutes will be allowed each contestant for giving oral reasons on Classes 2 and 4. Contestants will shift to the next class only upon notification by the contest monitor. The broken-out egg class will be judged at the end of the contest in groups assigned by the contest chairman.

10. Competent judges will be responsible for the official placing of all classes.

11. Qualified judges will listen to and score oral reasons on two production classes. The score card which will be used as a basis for scoring oral reasons is encompassed in No. 26. Using notes while giving reasons will NOT be permitted. NO state or name identification will be worn by the contestant in the oral reasons room.

12. A competent committee will be in charge of grading the cards, announcing the results, and presenting the awards.

13. Each class of production birds, R-T-C carcasses and eggs will be graded on the basis of 100 points for a perfect score. Similarly, oral reasons on the production classes will be graded on the basis of 100 points for a perfect score.

14. If a contestant checks more than one placing for any of the production classes, the lowest score will be the one recorded. If nothing is checked, the contestant will receive a zero (0) score.

15. In scoring the market poultry classes, a five (5) point deduction will be made for each grade separation line crossed. Ten (10) points will be deducted if a contestant fails to enter a grade for a bird or if he/she enters more than one grade for a bird.

16. In scoring the broken-out eggs, a three (3) point deduction will be made for each grade separation line crossed except when the line between "B" grade and "Inedible" is crossed; then, four (4) points will be deducted. Ten (10) points will be deducted if a contestant fails to enter a grade for an egg or if he/she enters more than one grade for the same egg.

17. In scoring the candled market egg classes, one (1) point will be deducted for each grade separation line crossed except when the line between "B" grade and "Inedible" is crossed; then, three (3) points will be deducted. Five (5) points will be deducted if a contestant fails to enter a grade for an egg or if he/she enters more than one grade for the same egg.

18. In scoring the exterior egg quality class, two (2) points will be deducted when the A and B grade separation line is crossed. When the line between "B" and "Dirty" is crossed, three (3) points will be deducted. Five (5) points will be deducted if a contestant fails to enter a grade for an egg or if he/she enters more than one grade for the same egg.

19. In scoring the Broiler Parts Identification Class, ten (10) points will be subtracted for each incorrect identification. If a contestant identifies less than ten (10) parts, a total of ten (10) points will be deducted for each unidentified part.

20. In each division, the three highest contestant's scores from each state team will be added to determine a team's divisional scores. Then the team's overall score will be determined by adding its three divisional scores.

21. In case tie scores occur, the ties will be broken by the following methods in the order listed.

• Ties in "production hen" and "overall categories" will be handled as follows: 1st) break the tie on the highest reasons scores; 2nd) break ties on the most perfect scores; 3rd) if ties can't be broken by the first two procedures, do not break the tie, and pay identical premiums, as advertised.
• For other categories, the contestant or team with the largest number of 100 scores will win; if even, the contestant or team with the largest number of the next highest score below 100 will win. If necessary, this method will be continued in the order of descent of scores. Or, a method will be decided upon by the contest committee.

22. Appropriate awards will be made to the high individuals and teams in each division and overall judging.

23. Team and individual placings will be announced and awards presented at an awards banquet Thursday evening.

24. As soon after the contest as possible, a copy of the detailed scoring will be sent to each participating state for distribution to each team member, the coach, 4-H office, and Extension poultry personnel.

25. Classes to be Judged:

A. Classes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 -- Egg Production and Reasons

Maximum Score = 500

Classes 3 and 5 represent the Reasons portion of the contest, which are given on Classes 2 and 4, respectively. Reasons score sheet is discussed in No. 26. Three classes of four (4) Leghorns or Leghorn type hybrids are to be judged on past production qualities. Birds may be handled. Contestants may NOT compare birds with others in their group. The bird that has laid the most eggs to date should be placed FIRST; the next highest, SECOND; the next THIRD; and poorest layer, FOURTH. This is placing by comparison. Contestants will give oral reasons on Classes 2 and 4. Using notes while giving reasons will NOT be permitted. A maximum of two minutes will be allowed for giving reasons for each class.

B. Classes 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 -- Market Poultry

Maximum Score = 500

This group (Classes 6, 7, 8, and 9) include two classes of ten (10) ready-to-cook broilers (2 - 6lbs.), One class of ten (10) heavy fowl (6 - 16lbs.) , and one class of ten (10) heavy turkey hens (over 16lbs.). Each individual bird will be classified as A, B, or C. Carcasses will be displayed in such a way that the entire carcass can be observed. Birds may NOT be touched or handled. Pinfeathers, diminutive feathers, hairs, and discoloration are to be disregarded.

Class 10 is a class of ten (10) broiler parts. Each part is to be identified and the number of the part written in the appropriate square in the front of the part name. The 10 parts will be selected from the 17 parts listed in the National 4-H Poultry Judging Manual. Each part will be prominently displayed on a plate, and may NOT be touched or handled.

C. Classes 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 -- Market Eggs

Maximum Score = 500

Classes 11 and 12, Candled Egg. Two classes of 20 white shelled eggs each are to be candled individually and classified AA, A, B, or Inedible. The Speed-King Candler will be used for candling eggs. Eggs MUST be handled.

Classes 13 and 14, Exterior Egg Quality. Two classes of 20 white shelled eggs to be individually classified A, B, or Dirty. Eggs CANNOT be handled.

Class 15 is Broken-Out Market Eggs. One class of 10 eggs will be broken out on a flat surface. Each egg is to be classified AA, A, B, or Inedible. Eggs and containers CANNOT be touched or handled. This class is judged at the end of the contest.

TOTAL PERFECT SCORE = 1,500

26. Score card for oral reasons on the Egg Production Classes in the Poultry Judging Contest.

SCORING FACTORS

A. Appearance (general neatness) and delivery

Maximum Score = 24

1. Did contestant stand still, on both feet, and face the judges?
2. Did he/she speak clearly, distinctly, and loud enough to be heard?
3. Did he/she have an appropriate opening and closing sentence?
4. Did he/she speak smoothly and without long pauses?
5. Did he/she have confidence; was he/she convincing?

B. Proper use of terms

Maximum Score = 20

1. Did the contestant mention such factors as pigment, handling quality, abdominal capacity, molt and so forth, or did he/she use terms that do not apply to judging egg production?
2. Did he/she use the terms properly?
3. Did he/she understand the terms used?
4. Was he/she able to define the terms? (The contestant may be asked to define terms).

C. Accuracy of statement

Maximum Score = 20

1. Did the contestant really see the birds?
2. Were his/her statements true, partly true, or false?

D. Completeness of coverage

Maximum Score = 36

1. Did he/she actually tell why he/she placed one bird over another, or did he/she just vaguely describe the bird? (10)
2. Did he/she stress the crucial differences, or did he/she make stereotype comparisons of numerous factors? (16)
3. Did he/she tell all there was to tell of importance, or were there several other good reasons that should have been given for his/her placing? (10)

NOTE: The judges may ask the contestant to define one or two comparative terms.

27. Copies of the cards used in the Judging Contest.