It is common knowledge that 4-H is a club for kids to learn valuable skills and get their hands dirty. This summer, fifteen Union County 4-Hers were busy carrying water, cleaning cages, and gathering eggs as they indulged in the 2018 Poultry Project. They each received twenty chicks in early March and raised the birds from one day old to young laying hens at twenty six weeks old. The kids are to return six of their best hens to auction in the fall at the Annual 4-H Chick Chain Show and Sale on September 4th where they are refunded their deposit and get to keep the remainder of the birds for egg production and continued learning in the project. This year sixty seven percent of the kids returned the promised hens.

There were a few notable changes in this year's auction. The sale was held at a new location, Darrell's Auction & Livestock in Powder Springs, TN. UT Extension and Union County 4-H express a deep appreciation to Darrell and Christie and the time they devoted to this event as well as volunteering to auctioneer and the use of the facilities and staff. Grainger County Extension Agent, Matt McGinnis, graciously gave his time to assist Union County's Ashley Mike in the annual event, as well as serve as the judge. His time and skills were much obliged. Traditionally, chickens have been sold in pens of six: however, this year they were grouped in sets of three, giving the buyer more opportunity to take home a pen. It was noticeable that the birds were mature for their age and high quality for beginning layers. Caillynn Peura, with Tennessee Department of Agriculture Animal Health, was on site testing the birds for Pullourm Typhoid and Avian Influenza.

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. Record Book Grand Champion was Dakota Smith. Grand Champion Golden Comets went to Nola Chesney, closely followed by Reserve Champion Emmagayle Malone. Blue Ribbon Winners included Carley Sexton, Max Richardson, Collin Eubanks, Dakota Smith, and Kelsey Holt. Red Ribbon Winner Travyn Farmer. Grand Champion pen for Black Sex Links was Allie Dake and Reserve Champion Sadie Sexton. All of the kids did an outstanding job caring for their birds.

The auction was a great success and we thank each individual that helped. There were so many appreciated volunteers and parents. Special thanks to Ethan Mike, Kelly Cooper, and Randy Padgett for volunteering your time to assist. We had 10 4-Hers return chickens to auction. The average price per bird was up from last year's sale. The funds raised at auction are used to sponsor the upcoming year’s Poultry Project. This year there was a profit from the sale, and for the first year, the kids that returned birds will receive a small premium as reward for their dedication to the project. This is based year to year off of profits from auction, so now there are high expectations for next years sale. Support your 4-Hers and buy some laying hens next fall.