Chick Chain
The 4-H Chick Chain Project provides youth the opportunity for hands-on experience in the areas of poultry management, health, nutrition, as well as developing business and record-keeping skills. Generally, youth who participate in the 4-H Chick Chain Project will receive 1–2-day old pullets (female chicks). They will feed and care for these pullets for approximately 20 weeks. Typically, the chick chain ends at the County 4-H Chick Chain Show and Auction. Specific details like breed and number of chicks, ownership length, number sold at auction and other items will vary depending on the county.
Learn more from these resources.
- Tennessee 4H Youth Development website
- Poultry Project Plans
- Let’s Learn About Chickens (pdf download)
Poultry Judging
Teams of three to four youth evaluate and identify poultry meat cuts, poultry parts, eggs and live birds. They also present oral reasons. Each region offers a regional judging contest prior to the state contest. The state contest is held during 4-H Fall Judging Day in September/October for Senior teams (Grades 9-12). The state winning team represents Tennessee at the National 4-H Poultry Judging Contest in November in Louisville, Kentucky.
To learn more, visit our Animal Science Youth Educational Contests webpage and click the Poultry Judging tab.
