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

Twenty young farmers in Sequatchie County are about to get hands-on experience raising poultry through a program that combines agricultural learning with community competition. The Chick Chain project, coordinated through the local Extension office, offers 4-H members a chance to nurture Black Star pullets from spring through summer and showcase their work at the county’s poultry show.

📋 How the Project Works

Participants selected for the program will each receive 25 Black Star pullets to raise on their own property. ✨ Throughout the growing season, members will care for their birds and prepare four of their best pullets for exhibition at the 2027 Poultry Show and Sale in August. The project teaches responsibility, animal husbandry, and agricultural best practices-skills that extend far beyond the barnyard.

🗓️ Key Dates and Timeline

The application window closes on December 1, 2026. Selected participants will be notified by December 15, 2026, followed by a mandatory parent meeting in January 2027. Chicks will arrive in mid-March, giving members several months to raise and condition their birds before the August poultry show. 📅

💡 How to Apply

Spots are limited, so interested 4-H members should apply soon. For applications and more information, contact Jaden Barger, 4-H Agent, at (423) 949-2611 or jbarge12@utk.edu. The Extension office is located at 170 Church Street, Dunlap, TN 37327. 📞

The Chick Chain project reflects the mission of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture to translate research into real-world learning opportunities for young people across the county.