🐔 Sequatchie County 4-H Opens Chick Chain Applications for 2027 Poultry Show

Young farmers across Sequatchie County have a chance to grow their agricultural skills this year through a hands-on poultry project that combines animal husbandry with community competition. The Chick Chain program, managed through UT Extension – Sequatchie County, invites 4-H members to raise Black Star pullets from chick to show-ready bird.

📋 How the Program Works

Twenty Sequatchie County 4-H members will receive 25 Black Star pullets each through the Chick Chain project. Participants will raise their birds over several months and then exhibit their four best pullets at the 2027 Poultry Show and Sale in August. This structure gives young farmers real-world experience in animal care, breeding selection, and agricultural exhibition-skills that extend far beyond the show ring. 🌾

🗓️ Timeline and Deadlines

The application window closes on December 1, 2026, so interested 4-H members should act quickly. Selected participants will be notified by December 15, 2026. A mandatory parent meeting is scheduled for January 2027, and chicks will arrive in mid-March, giving members about five months to raise and prepare their birds before the August poultry show. ✅

💡 What You Need to Know

Spots in the program are limited, and organizers emphasize that interested youth should not delay in applying. For questions or to submit an application, contact the Extension Office at (423) 949-2611. The office is located at 170 Church Street in Dunlap, Tennessee 37327. 📞

This project represents a long-standing tradition in agricultural education-giving young people direct responsibility for livestock care while building confidence and knowledge they can carry into adulthood. Whether participants pursue farming as a career or simply gain a deeper appreciation for where food comes from, the Chick Chain program offers hands-on learning that classroom instruction alone cannot provide. 🏆