by Katie Martin, Smith County Extension Agent:
L to R: Kynlee Davis, Krista Bailey, Abby Malone, Cain Gray, Owen Meeks, Greg Dixon, Jacob Massey, Caleb Hensley, Carson Meeks, Spencer Meeks, and Gabe Harville representing Smith County in the Central Region Poultry Judging Contest.
Eleven Smith County 4-H Members recently had an opportunity to show what they had learned at the Central Region Poultry Judging Contest.
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.
This year’s event was held in Lebanon on Thursday, September 26, 2019. Smith County 4-H was represented by Caleb Hensley, Owen Meeks, Cain Gray, Greg Dixon, and Jacob Massey in the Junior Division, by Abby Malone, Carson Meeks, Gabe Harville, Kynlee Davis, and Krista Bailey in the Junior High Division, and by Spencer Meeks in the Senior High Division.
Out of nearly 190 contestants, Abby placed 7th and Carson placed 3rd in the Jr. High Division, and Spencer placed 4th in the Senior High Division. The Jr. High team made up of Abby, Carson, Gabe, and Krista was also the 2nd place team in the Jr. High Division.
We are so proud of all our competitors for the hard work and the effort they put into this contest. 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!
The 4-H Youth Development Program delivers programs through cooperative efforts of the University of Tennessee, Tennessee State University, and public and private sector volunteers. 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. 4-H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades 4-12, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
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