The Annual 4-H Chick Chain Show and Sale was held Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at Darrell’s Auction & Livestock.

In the spring of each year, Union County 4-H orders one-day old baby chicks. 4-Her’s 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. This year there was a profit from the sale, so the kids that returned birds will receive a small premium. This is based year to year off of profits from auction, so now we have high expectations for next year! Support your 4-Her’s and buy some laying hens next fall.

Kids began arriving and checking in with Ashley Mike of UT Extension Union County around 4:30pm with bidders and supporters shortly to follow. The 4-H laying hens were judged from 6-7pm by volunteers Ethan Mike and Randy Padgett. 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-Hers were given awards. Around 7pm the auction began. Mr. Darrell Dyer of Darrell’s Auction and Livestock volunteered his time to auctioneer for the 4-H Poultry members. It is with much appreciation that Darrell and Christie lent the use of their facilities, volunteer time, and staff to benefit the 4-Her’s show and sale. The chickens are auctioned off in pens of three. The highest selling pen sold for $32 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 eleven 4-Her’s return chickens to auction this year of the nineteen that received chicks in March. Average price per bird was up this year from last year at $15.18.

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, Dakota Smiths birds took the Grand Champion Ribbon with Travyn Farmers being awarded Reserve Grand Champion. Blue Ribbon winners include Sadie Sexton, Jackson Holt, Gabriella Linkuos, and Destiny Hard.

In the Golden Comet category, Grand Champion was awarded to Chloe Lloyd and Reserve Grand Champion to Mia Effler. Kelsey Hold, Eric VanAlstine, and Nola Chesney were Blue Ribbon Winners.

A special recognition to Chloe Lloyd for her participation in the Record Book Contest and congrats for winning Grand Champion and the $50 prize. Great job to all the 4-Her’s in this project!