Coastal Plains Chicken Project 2027

— Written by Abbigail Wells | October 20, 2026

Register for the 2027 Coastal Plains Chicken Project!

Please note: Registration and payments are due by November 23, 2026.

This year, registration will be done via Google Form. You must complete the google form online and then bring your payment in to the Lenoir County Extension Office. Cash or check ONLY. Checks made out to NCCE - Onslow County.

Register via Google Form: 2027 CP Registration

Important Dates

November 23, 2026: Registration Google Form and Payment to county office DUE
Pick-up for laying hens projected the last week of January
Pick-up for broilers projected 3rd week of February
March 23, 2027: Project record books due to extension agent
April 27, 2027: SHOW DAY
- Check in for FFA/Ag classes: 9:00am-11:00am
- Show time for FFA/Ag classes: 10:15am
- Check in for 4-H: 3:00-4:30pm
- Show time for 4-H: 5:00pm

You can find rules, more information, etc. on the project website here: Coastal Plains Chicken Project Website

What is the 2027 Coastal Plains Chicken Project?

First you pre-order chicks from us. Prior to getting your chicks, you will need to attend a brief orientation that goes over keeping chickens and specifics about the project. Depending on whether you get laying hen or broiler chicks, you will pick them up either the end of January or end of February (more information to follow). Take your birds home and the fun begins!

Throughout the project, youth will have a project book that they need to fill out about how they are taking care of their birds. We will offer a chicken showmanship guidance class as well.

The 2027 Coastal Plains Chicken Show will be on April 27, 2027, at the Lenoir County Livestock Arena. Youth will have the opportunity to show their birds in two classes. This will conclude the project. If you have laying hens, you get to take your birds home and wait for fresh eggs! If you have broilers, you will leave them with us at the show and they will be donated to local food banks!

Any questions about the Coastal Plains Chicken Project can be directed to the Lenoir County 4-H Agent, Abbigail Wells at 252-527-2191 or abbarbe2@ncsu.edu. Any livestock questions can be directed to the Lenoir County Livestock Agent, Kaelyn Mohrfeld at 252-527-2191 or kmohrfeld@ncsu.edu

Can We Choose the Type of Chicks We Receive?

Participants can either order broilers (which are meat birds) or laying hens. Birds are $5 each and participants must order a minimum of 2 birds of the same breed.

The laying hen breed selected this year is the Golden Laced Wyandotte. The laying hens will go home with the youth after the show and are theirs to keep! These hens will usually start laying fresh eggs around 6 months of age.

The broilers will be left with us after the show on April 27th. They will then go to their new homes at local food banks.

What is Required for My Youth to Participate?

Registration via Google Form needs to be completed and payment need to be turned in to the Lenoir County Extension Office before November 23, 2026.
Youth need to be enrolled in 4-H by registering on 4-H Online. Youth will need to register or re-enroll in 4-H Online in January 2027.

Any questions about Lenoir County 4-H or 4-H Online can be directed to Abbigail Wells or Joel Dixon at 252-527-2191 or by email at abbarbe2@ncsu.edu or joel_dixon@ncsu.edu.

Resources for Participating

You can find rules, more information, etc. on the project website here: Coastal Plains Chicken Project Website