Each year the 4-H in Jefferson County hosts the Chick Chain Project. In this program, 4-Hers will select a chick that they will raise to adulthood. Throughout the project, the youth will learn about showmanship and the ethical responsibility of caring for an animal. During this project, 4-Hers will attend workshops that help them raise healthy and strong chickens. UF/IFAS Extension creates these workshops, and the local Jefferson County Extension 4-H staff will also be available throughout the entire project. At the end of the project, in March, the 4-Hers and their families will show their chicken at the Chick Chain show in Jackson County to compete against other Chick Chain participants from other counties.
The Chick Chain Project starts in late August. The youth will need to enroll first in 4-H to enroll in the Chick Chain Project. After enrolling in the project, the 4-Her to pick a chick he or she would like to raise! The approved breeds to choose from are: Cochins, Delaware, Leghorn, Orpington (any variety), Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island, Sussex, or Novelty (all other breeds). Once a chick has been selected, the 4-Her and their family will begin to either raise a chick that has already been hatched, or select a fertilized egg and go through the incubation and hatching process.
A Chick Chain record book is required and available online to be printed for recording all the observations process of their daily feedings and any other care they provide to the chick. During this time the youth will also need to read all about care and nutrition for each developmental stage to ensure that the chick will have the best care. As the chick grows, our 4-Her will need to be reviewing showmanship and prepare for the skill-a-thon. The youth and their families will also need to practice showmanship in preparation for The Northwest 4-H Chick Chain Show at the Jackson County Agriculture. Center.
This fun project will end with a show on March 23rd, 2022, where the 4-Hers will be able to present their chicken along with the showmanship they have been reviewing and practicing for months. This program gives the youth of Jefferson County a chance to learn the responsibility of raising an animal and gain showmanship experience. We look forward to seeing our 4-Hers hard work!
For more information or if you are interested in enrolling in the project, please contact: John Lilly at jgl@ufl.edu or Emily Nolen at enolen@ufl.edu. If you wish to contact by phone, please call the Jefferson County Extension Office at (850) 342-0187.
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