• By April W Bowman
• Posted Saturday, February 20, 2021

Youth Market Turkey Show

Registration will open March 2, 2021 at 9 a.m. for the 2021 Youth Market Turkey Show (YMTS) tentatively scheduled for Oct 15, 2021, at the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, but is subject to change due to Covid-19 related issues. Poult Pickup is scheduled for June 29 & 30 either at NC State University in Raleigh or at a closer location to be determined but is also subject to change based upon tom/hen availability and COVID issues. The cost to get your turkeys is $15 per participant.

Please visit https://poultry4hyouth.ces.ncsu.edu/youth-market-turkey-show/ OR https://poultry4hyouth.ces.ncsu.edu/ at 9 a.m. on March 2 with your lightening fast fingers to sign-up for a spot. They go quickly!

What is required to show a turkey? For one, a LOT of feed. Two, your turkey will need a bath before the show. Three, a ride to the fair (remember that it will very large by the fair) - a large dog crate works well. Learn more about caring for your bird(s) here.

Birds shown at the NC State Fair will be sold to market and will NOT be allowed to return home.

Note that things change and last year the birds were seated on a bale of straw in front of the exhibitor and the judge came by and examined them versus the method shown in the video linked in the caring for your bird hand-out. We anticipate that being the case again this year, but stay tuned.

For more information, email, April Bowman, Extension Agent, Livestock, Forages, and 4-H Youth Development at awbowman@ncsu.edu or call 336-703-2855.