4-H Members Complete Poultry Project

DeKalb County members recently finished the Chick-Chain poultry project with the annual show and sale which was held at the Farmers Market. Each participant received 15 Rhode Island Red or Barred Rock chicks in April and raised them throughout the spring and summer. These 4-H’ers are learning responsibility, hard work, patience, and much more all while having fun by raising chickens.
On September 15th, 28 4-H’ers completed the project by bringing 3 chickens back to the 4-H Poultry Show and Sale. The pullets, or young hens, are carefully judged on maturity, egg laying ability, and overall health. A Grand Champion and Reserve Champion is each breed was selected along with other awards. The Grand Champion Rhode Island Red went to Colby Barnes and the Reserve Champion was awarded to Cooper Brown, both 6th graders at DMS. The Grand Champion Barred Rock went to Clayton Crook, 9th grader at DCHS, while Reserve Champion went to Marissa Clark, 7th grader at DeKalb West School.
After awards were handed out, it was time for the auction! The money raised goes back to the 4-H members to refund their original deposit on the chicks. They also received additional prize money. A special thank you goes out to all the bidders, buyers, sponsors, and volunteers who came out to support the 4-H poultry project this year. We had a record amount of money raised this year!
4-H members who completed the project should feel proud of all their hard work and accomplishments! If you are interested in the Chick Chain project, or any other 4-H program, please call 615-597-4945. 4-H is a proud part of UT and TSU Extension. UT/TSU Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment through the cooperation of county, state, and federal governments.
Group DeKalb County 4-H Chick-Chain participants at the 2016 Show and Sale
Rhode Island Champs Colby Barnes and Cooper Brown were awarded Grand and Reserve Champion with their Rhode Island Red hens.
Barred Rock Champs Clayton Summers and Marissa Clark won Grand and Reserve Champions in the Barred Rock breed.