Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

For the first time in eight years, Butler County youth are raising chickens as part of the 4-H Chick Chain Project, a program aimed at teaching participants poultry management skills and business practices.

“One of my goals this year was to bring the program back to Butler County,” said Sharlean Briggs, Butler County Extension coordinator. “It helps to have Rachel Turner, my office [administrative assistant] who is really familiar with raising chickens.”

The Chick Chain Project, as outlined on the Alabama 4-H Extension webpage, teaches young people the recommended management practices for growing and raising chickens. Participants develop a range of skills, including poultry management, record-keeping and business management, while also contributing to their home food supply and gaining pride from their accomplishments. Each participant received ten chicks in April and the Greenville Co-op generously donated a bag of feed to help them get started.

Jennifer Piggot, a Butler County resident, shared how her 12-year-old daughter, Jayden, joined 4-H this year specifically for the Chick Chain project.

“I got chickens last year, and we just got really into it,” Piggot said. “We love them, especially when they’re little.” 

Jayden received five Rhode Island Reds and five Barred Rock and plans to select the two best chickens for the show while keeping the rest.

“We built her her own coop and it’s actually nicer than mine,” Piggot added. “It’s been a really good experience for her.”

The project will culminate at the Butler County Fair on Thursday, Sept. 26, with a Showmanship Contest and an auction of the chickens. A portion of the funds raised from the auction will go directly to the participants, providing a valuable opportunity for the young farmers to learn about business and financial responsibility.

Mary Bertha Zorn’s 12-year-old son, Abram, is also participating in the Chick Chain for the first time. Zorn said she believes the project has been a great lesson in responsibility. 

“We have chickens already, so he’s used to it, but he’s done a really good job with them,” Mary Bertha Zorn said. Despite losing four of the ten chicks initially, Abram took full responsibility for their care, she emphasized..

“He changes the bedding, does the feeding and watering,” Zorn added. “These are completely his responsibility and I think it’s a great opportunity to learn.”

Briggs emphasized the importance of such programs in fostering youth and community development. “Of course we hope the kids will win,” Briggs said. “But we also want to get people in the community involved. We hope people will come out.”  

The return of the Chick Chain Project marks a renewed commitment to providing local youth with hands-on agricultural experiences that promote both personal growth and community engagement. 

Editor’s note: This article is part one of a two-part series focusing on Chick Chain. Watch for the next installment of the series in next week’s edition of The Greenville Advocate.