The Poultry Project is one of DeKalb County’s most popular 4-H activities. In addition to the Chick-Chain where youth raise chickens, anyone can be involved in poultry judging even if they can’t raise birds at home. DeKalb County was recently well represented by 11 members at the Central Region contest held in Lebanon. There were over 180 participants from across middle Tennessee.
The junior team of Wade Evans, Levi Griffin, Adam Jones, and Bill Stanton placed 4th while the team of Cali Agee, Bryson Arnold, Olivia Gilley, and Laura Magness placed 2nd. DeKalb County also had half of the top ten high individuals: Cali 2nd, Laura 5th, Olivia 8th, Bill 9th, and Adam 10th. We also had the 7th place senior high team which consisted of Clayton Crook, Lily Martin, and Megan Price. Senior teams are eligible to compete at the state level contest on October 19th in Knoxville.
During the contest, there are three classes where eggs are graded on quality: candling, broken out, and exterior. Contestants must know the parts of an egg and how it deteriorates over time when candling. A light is held to the eggs in order to see the interior. The shell is then graded in the exterior quality class, and contestants look for defects and abnormalities. Egg whites and yolks are graded in the broken out class. A class of four, live White Leghorn hens is judged on their egg laying ability. This is determined by the pigment of their skin and abdominal capacity. Senior High members must give oral reasons on this class to defend their decision. Finally, meat parts are identified and carcasses are graded in the ready-to-cook poultry classes.
Many of our poultry judgers have chickens of their own, and the knowledge gained through this contest will help them better care for their birds and market their eggs. Congratulations to these young people on a job well done!
If you are interested in poultry judging or any other 4-H activity, please call 615-597-4945. 4-H is a proud part of UT Extension, the UT Institute of Agriculture, and TSU Cooperative Extension. UT-TSU Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment through the cooperation of county, state, and federal governments.
