Massey Agricultural Society Grow A Chick Program REGISTRATION
Please complete one form per family.  You must be a member of the Massey Agricultural Society to participate.  You can sign up to be a member using this link.  https://forms.gle/mjCFFiYbcLR2SWDTA 
There are a limited number of chicks available.  They will be assigned on a first come first served basis until they are all spoken for.  After this happens we will create a wait list for additional participants.  THANKS!

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WELCOME to the Grow a Chick Program!
Please read this introduction information.  A paper copy of this will be available when you pick up your chicks.  
Program Rules:

Participants must be between the age of 4 and 17 in 2024 and must be a member of the Massey Agricultural Society.

Each participant may receive up to three chicks.

If you are the only participant in your home you must take at least 2 chicks because they are social animals.

A maximum of 8 chicks will available to homes with multiple participants.

All participants will grow and take care of their chick throughout the spring and summer.  All participants will bring at least one chick and their project to the Massey Fair on Sunday, August 25.  

After the fair, participants have the option to keep their chicks or return them to the Massey Agricultural Society for rehoming. 

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Please read the following information about your Grow a Chick Project.  A paper copy of this will be available when you pick up your chicks. 

Participants must complete a project about growing their chick.  The projects will be judged at the Massey Fair on August 25.  Participants may choose to do an individual project (grouped by age) or a family project. 

Fair Judging Criteria

Ages 4-6

1.      Bring at least one of your chickens to the fair on Sunday, August 25th

2.     Tell us about raising your chick.  You may use words, pictures, diagrams, etc. to create an information poster.  Your poster should not exceed 22 ½” x 28 ½” (Bristol board).

3.     Include at least one fun chicken fact on your poster.

Ages 7-11

1.     Bring at least one of your chickens to the fair on Sunday, August 25th

2.     Tell us about raising your chick.  You may use words, pictures, diagrams, etc. to create an information poster.  Your poster should not exceed 22 ½” x 28 ½” (Bristol board).

3.     Include at least two fun chicken facts on your poster

Ages 12-17

1.     Bring at least one of your chickens to the fair on Sunday, August 25th

2.     Tell us about raising your chick.  You may use words, pictures, diagrams, etc. to create an information poster.  Your poster should not exceed 22 ½” x 28 ½” (Bristol board).

3.     Include at least two chicken or egg nutritional facts on your poster

Family

1.     Bring at least one of your chickens to the fair on Sunday, August 25th

2.     Tell us about raising your chick.  You may use words, pictures, diagrams, etc.  to create an information poster.  Your poster should not exceed 22 ½” x 28 ½” (Bristol board)

3.     Include at least two fun chicken facts and at least one chicken or egg nutritional fact on your poster

We will also have some fun categories for you chickens including Best Name, Fluffiest But, Ugliest Chicken, Tallest Chicken, and Best Costume.

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Please read this information about growing your chicks.  A paper copy of this will be available when you pick up your chicks.  Board members and volunteers will also be available to answer your questions.

When you get your chicks they will be  4 days old. They will be red sex link, black sex link, and leghorn chickens. Your chicken will start laying eggs when it is around 20 weeks old.

Here are some helpful tips to keep your chicks happy and healthy!!

4 days to 2 weeks

They will need a “broody box”.  This is a smaller, warm pen where they will live for the first few weeks of life.  It can be a kiddie pool, large tub, or small pen, box etc.

Wood shavings are best for small chicks. You will want to clean out large soiled spots every few days and a full clean out once a week.

A heat source will be required to keep your chicks warm. Heat lamps work best or you can find a warm spot inside.

You will be supplied with a large zip lock bag full of medicated chick grower. They will eat this for 2-3 weeks. Your next bag does not have to be medicated. After this you will buy layer mash for them to eat.

Water. They drink lots of water. It is best to change their water once day and make sure they have water at all times.

2 weeks and beyond

Your chicks are ready to go outside or inside in a safe location. This will be the place they live for the rest of summer and beyond. Small chicken tractors are a great and affordable place if you don’t have a barn or existing coup.  A small one can be built out of a pallet and some chicken wire. There are lots of plans for this that will pop up with a quick Google search.  This allows them to be eating on the grass while still being protected. They can also sleep in the shelter that is attached.

If you have an existing coop with chickens remember these new chicks can’t go with the bigger birds till 12 weeks old for their safety and wellbeing.

You will also want a laying box.  For 2-6 chickens you will need one. 

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Please read the following information on AVIAN INFLUENZA. 

What is Avian influenza?

Avian influenza or bird flu is a disease caused by infection with avian influenza Type A viruses.  These viruses naturally spread among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species.  Bird flu viruses do not normally infect humans.  

What are the symptoms of Avian influenza?

The avian influenza symptoms differ according to bird species but can include diarrhoea, breathing difficulties, swollen head, and death. 

How to prevent the spread of Avian influenza?

A bird infected with avian influenza sheds virus in its feathers, mucous, saliva, and faeces.  Limiting the commingling of birds from different locations, monitoring for symptoms, and strong biosecurity measures can prevent the spread of Avian influenza.

What is biosecurity?

Biosecurity means doing everything you can to reduce the chances of an infectious disease being carried to your farm by people, animals, equipment, or vehicles.  It also means doing everything you can to reduce the chance of disease leaving your farm. 

How to improve biosecurity for Avian influenza:

·      Do not bring birds into an existing flock from another farm

·      Do not visit other flocks as the virus can be carried on your boots or clothing back to your flock

·      Thoroughly clean any equipment you use (waterers, feeders) that come from other farms

The Massey Agricultural Society will update Grow a Chick participants about Avian Flu as necessary.  There were cases in Ontario requiring the implementation of restrictions for chicken growers in the spring and fall of 2022.  While these restrictions did not affect our program in 2022 or 2023, we want you to be aware of possible risks.

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Please provide the names of all participants from your home/family.  Please use first and last names that match the names you used when signing up for your Massey Agricultural Society membership. *
Email Address *
Telephone *
How many chicks would you like to reserve?  Please remember:  Individuals/families must take at least 2 chicks.  A single participant may take no more than 3 chicks and the maximum per family is 8. *
How did you hear about our program? *
Chicks will be available for pick up on Saturday, May 25 between 10:00 and 2:00 pm.  Please note, we will not be able to save chicks beyond that date.  If you do not pick them up they will be offered to other participants.  We will be in touch closer to the date to remind you. *
THANKS!  We will be in touch in the coming weeks.   *
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