4-H Home

4-H Curriculum Home

Nebraska 4-H
Pick-A-Project Home

Other Animal Science Links


Animal Science

Communication & Expressive Arts

Consumer & Family Science

Environmental Education & Earth Sciences

Healthy Lifestyles Education

Leadership & Citizenship

Plant Science

Science & Technology

Clover Kids Curriculum

Other State 4-H Projects

School Enrichment Projects

Resources for Leaders


Record Books

Price List for Out-of-State and Non-Extension Purchasers
(PDF)

Ordering Information

Animal Science

Youth interested in these 4-H projects may be interestedin
careers focused on: Administrative and Information Support; Animal Systems; Banking and Related Services; Biotechnology Research and Development; Business Analysis; Business Financial Management and Accounting; Business Financial Management; Buying and Merchandising; Diagnostic Services; Distribution and Logistics; e-Marketing; Human Resources; Insurance Services; Lodging; Management; Management and Entrepreneurship; Marketing Communication and Promotion; Marketing Information Management and Research: Professional Sales and Marketing; Recreation, Amusements and Attractions; Therapeutic Services; Travel and Tourism

Beef

60412 Bucket Calf
What you can do in this project:
  • learn how to care for young beef or dairy animals
  • learn what kind of records should be kept for animal projects
Printed Materials:
  • CCS8143 Beef 1: Bite into Beef
  • CCS8144 Beef 2: Here's the Beef
  • CCS8145 Beef 3: Leading the Charge
For leaders:
  • CCS8146 Beef Helper's Guide
  • 4H337 Assuring Quality -- A Guide for Youth Livestock Producers
Suggested Age: For all Levels

60502 Market Beef
What you can do in this project:
  • learn about beef cattle parts
  • calculate the cost to raise a market beef animal
  • learn how to select project animals
Printed Materials:
  • CCS8143 Beef 1: Bite into Beef
  • CCS8144 Beef 2: Here's the Beef
  • CCS8145 Beef 3: Leading the Charge
For leaders:
  • CCS8146 Beef Helper's Guide
  • 4H337 Assuring Quality -- A Guide for Youth Livestock Producers
Suggested Age: For all Levels

60602 Breeding Beef
What you can do in this project:
  • learn about beef cattle breeds
  • learn how to care for beef animals
  • learn to make buying decisions based on performance and visual evaluation
Printed Materials:
  • CCS8143 Beef 1: Bite into Beef
  • CCS8144 Beef 2: Here's the Beef
  • CCS8145 Beef 3: Leading the Charge
For leaders:
  • CCS8146 Beef Helper's Guide
  • 4H337 Assuring Quality -- A Guide for Youth Livestock Producers
Suggested Age: For all Levels

60702 Feeder Calf
What you can do in this project:
  • learn about beef cattle parts
  • learn how to feed beef animals to achieve a reasonable amount of gain
Printed Materials:
  • CCS8143 Beef 1: Bite into Beef
  • CCS8144 Beef 2: Here's the Beef
  • CCS8145 Beef 3: Leading the Charge
For leaders:
  • CCS8146 Beef Helper's Guide
  • 4H337 Assuring Quality -- A Guide for Youth Livestock Producers
Suggested Age: For all Levels

Livestock References and Forms

Sheep

62302 Market Sheep
What you can do in this project:
  • learn about sheep parts and products
  • calculate the cost of raising sheep
  • find out how to care for sheep
Printed Materials:
  • BU6367 Sheep 1: Lambs, Rams and You
  • BU6368 Sheep 2: Shear Delight
  • BU6369 Sheep 3: Leading the Flock
For leaders:
  • BU6370 Sheep Helper's Guide
  • 4H337 Assuring Quality -- A Guide for Youth Livestock Producers
Suggested Age: For all Levels

62402 Breeding Sheep
What you can do in this project:
  • learn about sheep breeds
  • find out how to prevent, diagnose and cure sheep health problems
  • set production goals for your flock
Printed Materials:
  • BU6367 Sheep 1: Lambs, Rams and You
  • BU6368 Sheep 2: Shear Delight
  • BU6369 Sheep 3: Leading the Flock
For leaders:
  • BU6370 Sheep Helper's Guide
  • 4H337 Assuring Quality -- A Guide for Youth Livestock Producers
Suggested Age: For all Levels

 
Livestock References and Forms

Swine

63402 Market Swine
What you can do in this project:
  • learn about hog body parts
  • calculate the cost to raise pigs
  • find out how to care for pigs
Printed Materials:
  • CCS8065 Swine 1: The Incredible Pig
  • CCS8066 Swine 2: Putting the Oink in Pig
  • CCS8067 Swine 3: Going Whole Hog
For leaders:
  • CCS8068 Swine Helper's Guide
  • 4H337 Assuring Quality -- A Guide for Youth Livestock Producers
Suggested Age: For all Levels

 
63502 Breeding Swine
What you can do in this project:
  • learn about pig breeds
  • discover how to market products
  • find out how to prevent, diagnose and treat swine health problems
Printed Materials:
  • CCS8065 Swine 1: The Incredible Pig
  • CCS8066 Swine 2: Putting the Oink in Pig
  • CCS8067 Swine 3: Going Whole Hog
For leaders:
  • CCS8068 Swine Helper's Guide
  • 4H337 Assuring Quality -- A Guide for Youth Livestock Producers
Suggested Age: For all Levels

 
Livestock References and Forms
  • 4H134R Swine Resource Manual (Ohio State)
  • 4H357 Guide for Evaluating Livestock Showmanship Contests
  • EC20597 Livestock Judging Guide
  • 107 Market Swine Ownership Affidavit (PDF File)
  • 4H459 Nebraska Pork Quality Assurance
  • Guide to Itendifying Meat Cuts [for sale through the American Meat Science Association, (217) 356-5368

Dairy Cattle

64002 Dairy Cattle
What you can do in this project:
  • explore dairy cattle breeds, select calves, and identify parts
  • focus on housing, hay quality, milking, and health of dairy cattle
  • select cattle through records, promote dairy products, and explore careers
Printed Materials:
  • CCS8161 Dairy 1: Cowabunga!
  • CCS8162 Dairy 2: Mooving Ahead
  • CCS8163 Dairy 3: Rising to the Top
For leaders:
  • CCS8164 Dairy Helper’s Guide
  • 4H337 Assuring Quality -- A Guide for Youth Livestock Producers
Suggested Age: For all Levels
 
 
Livestock References and Forms
  • RP593 Learning about Dairy: A Resource Guide
  • RP96 Dairy Cow Management
  • RP97 Dairy Calves and Heifers
  • 108 Dairy Identification Affidavit (PDF File)
  • 4H463 Unified Dairy Judging Scorecard [also for sale through the PureBreed Dairy Cattle Associates, (608) 224-0400

Goat

65002 Dairy Goat
What you can do in this project:
  • learn about goat parts and breeds
  • figure costs to raise goats
  • find out how to care for goats
Printed Materials:
  • BU6162 Goat 1: Getting Your Goat
  • BU6163 Goat 2: Stepping Out
  • BU6164 Goat 3: Showing the Way
For leaders:
  • BU6165 Goat Helper's Guide
  • 4H337 Assuring Quality -- A Guide for Youth Livestock Producers
Suggested Age: For all Levels

 

Livestock References and Forms


65592 Meat Goat
What you can do in this project:
  • learn and practice important life skills, such as decision making, record keeping, marketable skills, planning and organizing, and self responsibility
  • demonstrate good caretaking of the animals, land, and other resources involved
  • help to spread knowledge about meat goat products and meat goat industry
Printed Materials:
  • CCS7909 Meat Goat Level 1:  Just Browsing
  • CCS7910 Meat Goat Level 2:  Get Growing with Meat Goats
  • CCS7911 Meat Goat Level 3:  Meating the Future
For Leaders:
  • CCS7912 Meat Goat Leader's Guide
Suggested Age: For all Levels

Meat Goat References:

Horse

66002 Horse
What you can do in this project:
  • discover the basics of horse behavior, breeds, and safety
  • learn about acquiring, selecting, and raising a horse
  • build a financial plan
  • learn basic riding and horsemanship skills
  • explore leadership and ethics
Printed Materials:
  • CCS8053 Horse 1: Giddy Up & Go
  • CCS8054 Horse 2: Head, Heart & Hooves
  • CCS8055 Horse 3: Stable Relationships
  • CCS8056 Horse 4: Riding the Range
  • CCS8057 Horse 5: Jumping into New Heights
For leaders:
  • CCS8058 Horse Helper's Guide
Suggested Age: For all Levels

 
Livestock References and Forms
  • 4H458 Horse Project Member Manual
  • 4H426 Horse Project Advancement Levels
  • 4H373 Nebraska 4-H Horse Show and Judging Guide
  • F29777 Horse Identification Certificate
  • 4H408 Beginning Horseman Certificate
  • 4H409 Intermediate Horseman Certificate
  • 4H410 Horseman Level 3 Certificate
  • 4H411 Horseman Level 4 Certificate
  • F29674 Light Horse Project Record Book
  • 4H427 4-H Horse Program in Nebraska Flier
  • Youth Leaders Manual by the American Youth Horse Council [for sale through National 4-H Supply, (301) 961-2934]

Poultry

67002 Poultry
What you can do in this project:
  • find out how to care for poultry
  • select breeding pens
  • learn to process a chicken
  • learn about poultry breeds
Printed Materials:
  • BU6363 Poultry 1: Scratching the Surface
  • BU6364 Poultry 2: Testing Your Wings
  • BU6365 Poultry 3: Flocking Together
For leaders:
  • BU6366 Poultry Helper's Guide
Suggested Age: For all Levels

   
Poultry References and Forms
  • 4H460 National Poultry Judging
  • 4H308 Market Broilers

Rabbit

68002 Rabbits
What you can do in this project:
  • learn about rabbit breeds
  • learn how to care for a rabbit
  • learn to tattoo a rabbit
  • learn about genetics and rabbit breeding
Printed Materials:
  • CCS8080 Rabbit 1: What's Hoppening?
  • CCS8081 Rabbit 2: Making Tracks
  • CCS8082 Rabbit 3: All Ears
For leaders:
  • CCS8083 Rabbit Helper's Guide
Suggested Age: For all Levels

 
Rabbit References and Forms

Cat

69002 Cat
What you can do in this project:
  • select a cat, identify breeds, and name cat parts
  • prepare health care budget for cat
  • train a cat for show
  • explore veterinary procedures, community laws, and animal welfare/rights
Printed Materials:
  • CCS8148 Cat 1: Purr-fect Pals
  • CCS8149 Cat 2: Climbing Up!
  • CCS8150 Cat 3: Leaping Forward
For leaders:
  • CCS8151 Cat Helper's Guide
Suggested Age: For all Levels

 
Cat References and Forms
  • RP254 Your Cat and You
  • 4H340 The Veterinarian's Way of Selecting a Proper Pet
  • 4H341 4-H Show Guidelines for Cats and Small Animals

Dog

70002 Dog
What you can do in this project:
  • learn basic skills for dog care and training
  • explore dog health, nutrition, care, showmanship, and training
  • investigate responsible breeding, diseases, dog roles, and careers
Printed Materials:
  • CCS8166 Dog 1: Wiggles 'n Wags
  • CCS8167 Dog 2: Canine Connection
  • CCS8168 Dog 3: Leading the Pack
For leaders:
  • CCS8169 Dog Helper's Guide
Suggested Age: For all Levels

 
Dog References and Forms
  • 4H419 Guidelines for Nebraska 4-H Dog Shows
  • CO801 Training Your Dog for Family Living (Manual out-of-print; limited supply of manual available)
  • CO802 Dog Obedience Lessons for Beginners
  • CO803 Dog Obedience Training Novice, Graduate Novice
  • 4H402EX Dog and Puppy Care
  • 4H340 The Veterinarian's Way of Selecting a Proper Pet

Companion Animal

71002 Pets
What you can do in this project:
  • find out what it costs to have a pet
  • learn about animal digestion
  • learn to keep a pet healthy
  • consider careers with animals
Printed Materials:
  • BU6359 Pet 1: Pet Pals
  • BU6360 Pet 2: Scurrying Ahead
  • BU6361 Pet 3: Scaling the Heights
For leaders:
  • BU6362 Pet Helper's Guide
Suggested Age: For all Levels

 
Pet References and Forms
  • 4H340 The Veterinarian's Way of Selecting a Proper Pet
  • 4H341 Show Guidelines for Cats and Small Animals
  • Record Book for Companion Animals

Veterinary Science

84502 Veterinary Science
What you can do in this project:
  • understand animals basic needs
  • keep health records
  • learn about future veterinary science technology
Printed Materials:
  • CCS8048 Veterinary Science 1: From Airedales to Zebras
  • CCS8049 Veterinary Science 2: All Systems Go!
  • CCS8050 Veterinary Science 3: On the Cutting Edge
For Leaders:
  • CCS8051 Veterinary Science Helper's Guide
Suggested Age: Beginner to Intermediate

 

84002 The Normal Animal
What you can do in this project:
  • take an animal's temperature and pulse
  • recognize healthy skin and membrances
  • clean and disinfect animals' quarters
Printed Materials:
  • 4H131 The Normal Animal
For Leaders:
  • 4H192 Vet Science Leader Guide
Suggested Age: Intermediate to Advanced

 

84102 Animal Disease
What you can do in this project:
  • study bacteria, viruses and parasites
  • learn about diseases' relationship to nutrition, stress, heredity, and poison
  • learn basic disease prevention techniques
Printed Materials:
  • 4H48 Animal Disease
For Leaders:
  • 4H192 Vet Science Leader Guide
Suggested Age: Intermediate to Advanced

 

84202 Animal Health and its Relationship to Our World
What you can do in this project:
  • study environmental influences on animal health
  • learn about maintining animal health
  • explore veterinary medicine as a career
Printed Materials:
  • 4H133 Animal Health and Its Relationship to Our World
For Leaders:
  • 4H192 Vet Science Leader Guide
Suggested Age: Advanced