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Local families are gearing up for the Butler County Fair as their children prepare to showcase the chickens they have raised through the 4-H Chick Chain project. The program, which teaches poultry management and business skills, helps each participant gain firsthand experience in poultry farming. 

In April, each participant received ten chicks to raise and care for, and in return, they will enter two of their best birds in the fair’s showmanship contest and auction on Thursday, Sept. 26. A portion of the auction proceeds will go directly to the participants. The Greenville Co-op also provided support, donating a bag of feed to each participant.

For families like the Stinson’s, the experience has been invaluable. Shera Stinson’s 13-year-old daughter Parker joined the Chick Chain program specifically to further her interest in raising chickens.

“We’ve had chicks for three or four years, so she was already kind of experienced,” Shera said. “They’re all still here. One almost died about a week after we got them, but Parker researched [what to do] and nurtured it. She really babied it, and it pulled through.”

Parker is currently deciding which two chickens to enter into the fair, but according to her mother, she’s hesitant to part with any of them.

“It’s helped her learn responsibility because these are all on her,” Shera said. “She gets up before school and checks on them. We’re not doing it for her.”

Becca Stinson’s three children — 12-year-old Macy, 11-year-old Rhett and 9-year-old Whitley — also took on the challenge of raising chickens, with each child receiving 10 chicks. While their family already had experience with livestock, Macy has developed a special connection to the project.

“The boys are used to caring for animals, but Macy has gotten really into it,” Becca said. “She’s having a hard time narrowing down which two she wants to send to the show.”

Chuck Chain was revived in Butler County this year after an eight-year hiatus.

“It’s been at least eight years since Butler County participated in the Chick Chain project, and one of my goals this year was to bring the program back,” said Butler County Extension Coordinator Sharlean Briggs. “It helps to have Rachel Turner, my office admin, who is familiar with raising chickens.”

As they prepare for the upcoming fair, Becca Stinson expressed her gratitude for the program’s impact. 

“We’re so glad they’re in this program,” she said. “It’s teaching them responsibility and how to take care of something on their own.”