WHITE LAKE — On May 2, the lakeside picnic shelter at the NC FFA Center at White Lake, NC was converted to a show field for the evening. A show for chickens! We had almost 60 youth ages 5 to 18 involved in 4-H and FFA from counties across the Southeast region come out to show their hens and broilers that they have been raising and caring for over the last few months.
In order to participate, the youth had to register through their school FFA advisor or their 4-H or Livestock Agent through NC Cooperative Extension. Registration for laying hens took place in December; while youth that raised and showed broilers had until early February to commit to the project. At least two required trainings were provided in each county to teach the youth about proper care, biosecurity, showmanship techniques, record keeping, and more. Three areas of competition were judged including showmanship which is the handling of the bird and being able to verbally share their knowledge about the anatomy and breed to a judge; breed which the judge compares the overall look of the bird including fullness, color, health, etc. in comparison with the other birds of its same breed; and project record books which is a written record of knowledge gained and evidence of learning through the project.
This is the third year that we have offered the Regional Chicken Project in our area. Initially, over 100 kids signed up representing Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson, and Sampson Counties. Recognition and ribbons were given to all Cloverbuds ages 5 to 8 for their participation in showmanship and record books.
Ribbons were presented to the following youth for their achievements in the Showmanship and breed classes:
Jr. Showmanship
1st Luke Barber Bladen County
2nd Jacie Kinlaw Bladen County
3rd Valencia Banaduc Cumberland County
4th Sami Drake Cumberland County
5th Chase Lewis Cumberland County
Sr. Showmanship
1st Ashlyn Johnson Cumberland County
2nd Nayeli Estrada Robeson County
3rd Meagen Butler Robeson County
4th Lupita Santes Robeson County
5th Isabella Dugarte Robeson County
Barred Rock Hen Class
1st Lucas Collins Columbus County
2nd Braxton Swain Cumberland County
3rd Jadakiss Smith Robeson County
Golden Comet Hen Class
1st Rylie McDonald Sampson County
2nd Isabelle Dugarte Robeson County
3r Xzania Porter Columbus County
Broiler Class
1st Meagan Butler Robeson County
2nd Antonio Flores Robeson County
3rd Jadakiss Smith Robeson County
The youth were also recognized later for their achievements in completing required project record books documenting their individual chicken project. Winners received ribbons and cash prizes in the amounts of $15 for 1st place, $10 for 2nd place, and $5 for 3rd place. The project book winners were as follows:
4-H Project Book ages 9-10
1st Gabrielle Johnson Hoke County
2nd Chase Lewis Cumberland County
3rd Esaiah Johnson Hoke County
4-H Project Book ages 11-12
1st Jacie Kinlaw Bladen County
2nd Keegan Lewis Cumberland County
3rd Peyton Matthis Sampson County
4-H Project Book ages 13-15
1st Ashlyn Johnson Cumberland County
2nd Elizabeth Kirby Columbus County
FFA Project Book Middle School
1st Cooper Strickland Cumberland County
2nd Valencia Banaduc Cumberland County
3rd Cole Leach Cumberland County
FFA Project Book High School
1st Nayeli Estrada Robeson County
2nd Brianda Barrera Robeson County
3rd Meagen Butler Robeson County
Parents reported that their children improved responsibility and/or work ethic as a result of their participation in the Regional Chicken Project. For more information about youth livestock programming in your county, please contact your local NC Cooperative Extension Office in Bladen County at (910) 862-4591.