Alabama 4-H Avian Bowl is a double elimination contest for teams patterned after other knowledge bowls. Contestants gain knowledge on subject matter for several species of poultry, food safety, physiology, nutrition, eggs, and many other related subjects.

Purpose

• Encourage youth to expand their knowledge of avian facts.
• Help youth become proficient in poultry management and its related subjects.
• Serve as an award activity and trip for youth to test their knowledge at a state competition.
• Help youth with career guidance.
• Promote the poultry industry by stimulating interest in poultry and other avian species.
• Make learning fun.

Overview of Rules

A more detailed set of rules is found inside each copy of the National 4-H Avian Bowl Manual. Please read the full set of rules before attending a contest.

• A team consists of not less than two (2), and not more than four (4) members.
• All members of a team must be Juniors (ages 9-13) or Seniors (ages 14-18).
• Questions will be fill-in-the-blank (short answer), multiple choice, and spelling.
• A 25-question written exam is given before the contest in order to seed the teams. The scores for the top three individuals will be added and averaged to give a team score.
• If there are an odd number of teams, then a “bye” will be awarded, as necessary, in order to allow all teams to participate.
• There are three types of questions:
  • Regular Questions (as mentioned above)
  • Bonus Questions (awarded when a team has answered four question correctly with all members participating)
  • Tie-breaker Questions
• The winning Senior team represents Alabama 4-H at the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference.
• The winning Senior team is required to commit to three (3) weekends of additional training at Auburn University prior to the national competition. These trainings will be in addition to the continued training provided by the team’s coach. These three (3) dates will be posted on 4-H Online at the time of contest registration. By entering the state contest, teams agree to attend the three (3) additional trainings.

Point System

• Correct Answer ………………………………………… +5 points
• Incorrect Answer ………………………………………..-5 points
• Acknowledgement Penalty ………………………….-5 points
• Bonus Question ………………………………………..+10 points

National 4-H Avian Bowl Manual

The National 4-H Avian Bowl Manual is now available as a free PDF download. You can download this PDF on the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference website.

Every Alabama Extension county office has been provided with a copy of the National 4-H Avian Bowl Manual. Feel free to contact your county’s 4-H agent to set up a time to review the rules and the study sections.

For those that wish to purchase a printed copy of the National 4-H Avian Bowl Manual, they can order one through the Clemson University Marketplace. The manual is $15 (no checks accepted).

2025 Winners

• Senior Avian Bowl—Sophia Gibbs and Ava Mullins (St. Clair County)
• Junior Avian Bowl—Elizabeth and Alaina Knight (Lamar County)