This year’s Annual Smith County 4-H Chick Chain Show & Sale was held on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. This event was the culmination of six months of hard work and responsibility for 18 Smith County 4-H’ers who completed this year’s Chick Chain project. The Carson Maxwell Livestock Arena at the Smith County Ag Center was packed with supporters and bidders eager to buy some high-quality laying hens.
Through the 4-H Chick Chain, each participating 4-H’er received either 12 or 24 two-day-old baby chicks in early April and was responsible for feeding and caring for the chicks throughout the spring and summer, ultimately raising them to become the outstanding laying hens that were brought to our show. This year, each 4-H’er raised either Black Australorp or Buff Orpington chicks.
We were proud of all of the birds that were exhibited, but two pens deserved special recognition. Charlotte Driver was named Grand Champion, and Everett West was named Reserve Champion. Charlotte raised some exceptional Black Australorp hens, and Everett exhibited an impressive pen of Buff Orpingtons.
Other participants in this year’s Chick Chain Show & Sale were Kylee Allmon, Simon Bowman, Callie Butler, Daisy Chambers, Jay Driver, Aubrey Hicks, Scarlett Hicks, Katelyn Kooken, Willow Lawrence, Ava Martin, Owen Meeks, Kolt Ortiz, Jacob Soucy, Kevin Soucy, Destinee Turner, and Evie Wilson.
At the conclusion of our show, each pen of birds was auctioned off to an eager crowd of close to 20 buyers.
We want to say a special thank you to our judge Johnny Barnes, who is the Agriculture Agent in DeKalb County, and to our auctioneer for the evening, J. D. Driver.
We are also thankful to all of the 4-H’ers, family members, volunteers, community supporters, buyers, and Extension staff who came out to attend this event, purchased birds, and helped us put on another successful show and sale for our local young people who are participating in and learning about agriculture through 4-H.
For further information regarding the 4-H Chick Chain project or any of the many other opportunities that 4-H has to offer the youth in Smith County, call 615-735-2900. 
