By Ashley Mike
The Annual Union County 4-H Chick Chain Show and Sale was held at the new location of Jones Farm and Livestock this year. With a great success at this location we want to thank owner and 4-H supporter Trevor Jones for offering us this opportunity.
In the spring of each year Union County 4-H orders one-day old baby chicks. 4-H members choose one of the two breeds that they wish to raise. They make a deposit for the 20 chicks they choose, promising to bring six of the grown hens back to auction off in the fall. With this promise, when they return their six chickens, they are refunded their deposits and get to keep the remainder of the hens.
The funds raised at auction are used to sponsor the upcoming year’s Poultry Project and award the kids with premium checks when there is a surplus collected. This year there was a profit from the sale, so the kids that returned birds did receive a premium.
This is based year to year off of profits from the auction, so now we have high expectations for next year. Support the 4-H kids and buy some laying hens next fall. Call the Extension office 865-992-8038 to be added to the postcard list if you want to be reminded to come to the auction.
Kids began arriving and checking in around 5:30 p.m. with bidders and supporters shortly following. The 4-H laying hens were judged by Extension Agent volunteer Lucinda Drummonds of Claiborne County accompanied by guest Extension Agent Tom Rison. We greatly thank them for their hard work in volunteering time to do this for us as well as assist with the sale.
Chickens were judged in two categories, Golden Comet and Black Sex Link. Each category was awarded a Grand Champion pen and a Reserve Grand Champion pen and blue and red ribbons according to the quality and composition of the birds. After judging the 4-H members were given awards. Around 7 p.m. the auction began. Darrell Dyer of Darrell’s Auction and Livestock volunteered his time to auctioneer for the 4-H Poultry members. It is with much appreciation for Darrell as he offers his service the 4-H program each year, volunteering time and staff to benefit the 4-H show and sale.
The chickens are auctioned off in pens of three. The two highest-selling pens sold for $60 per bird.
The auction was a great success and we thank each individual that helped. There were so many appreciated volunteers and parents. We had eight 4-H members return chickens to auction this year of the 11 that received chicks in March. Average price per bird was up this year from last year at $35.63, which is drastically the highest average we have ever seen at this auction.
Grand Champion winners received a ribbon along with a $50 prize and Reserve Champs took home a $25 prize with their ribbon. For the Black Sex Link Breed, Travyn Farmer's birds took the Grand Champion Ribbon with Kristin Dyer's being awarded Reserve Grand Champion. Blue Ribbon winners include Jennagrace Malone and Daniel Goings. Red Ribbons went to Brylee Smith and Riley Tharp.
In the Golden Comet category, Grand Champion was awarded to Mia Effler and Reserve Grand Champion to Lane Dyer. A special recognition to Daniel Goings for his participation in the Record Book Contest and congrats for winning the Grand Champion $50 prize.
As a bonus this year, Horace Maynard FFA Homecoming Queen Candidate Kadynce Collins set up a booth selling barbeque dinners and all the fixings. This was a great supplement to her fundraising efforts as well as offering families a supper time option while at the event with their families.
Thanks Kadynce and the FFA Chapter for making this happen and congratulations on earning your crown! Great job to all the 4-H members in the poultry project.