Chicken Whisperer Magazine Winter 2024 | Page 28

And the Winner Is …

First place was a dozen large, white-shelled eggs from 9-year-old Bo Hodges of the Lauderdale County 4-H Program. His entire flock was 40 to 50 birds. His coop is 25-by-10 feet and he has five nest boxes. In addition, he has eight different breeds in his flock, but his favorite breed is the White Leghorn because he“ thinks they are really pretty.” He found out about the contest from his county’ s 4-H Facebook page when the announcement was posted online. Their family wanted chickens for eggs.

Other 4-H projects that Hodges participates in is archery, BBQ, Chef 4-H and show rabbits. Hodges’ interests are in math and science, so poultry science might be in his future. He also enjoys cooking. When he is not in the classroom, he loves to take advantage of all that 10 acres can provide including playing with the farm animals, fishing and jumping on the trampoline.

Of all the prizes, Hodges loved going on the football field best. While his family has attended many games, they have never been on the field before. The tour was conducted by a graduate student of the turfgrass management program( the grass was real!) and Hodges learned a lot. Because Hodges also enjoys cooking, he was very interested in the two test kitchens in the poultry science department. For Hodges’ next 4-H project, he and his dad are considering a cattle project.

A Family Hatchery.

2024 Golden Egg Winners

Hodges’ parents were excited to learn that their son won the top honors for this contest. The announcement came through the state 4-H Facebook page. Mr. and Mrs. Hodges were surprised during the tour to discover how interconnected all the different departments were on campus.

The Runner Up Goes to …

Jacie Dunn, age 16 of Madison County’ s 4-H Program was the second-place winner with her size medium, brown-shelled eggs. She scored better than Hodges on cleanliness and shape uniformity, but the color consistency was lacking. Historically, it is difficult to have a uniform dozen of brown-shelled eggs. Dunn’ s egg yolks were also lighter in color than Hodges’ which made a difference. Dunn maintains several coops with various sizes including one that is built into a horse stall. In total, she has 14 nest boxes for all of her chickens. Her favorite breed is the Silver Laced Wyandotte because, she says,“ they are the prettiest of all her chickens.”

Last year, Dunn entered the contest and even though she didn’ t win, she studied the scoresheet she received back. When she saw the announcement again for the contest through her county’ s 4-H Facebook page, she was ready to try again. Her other 4-H projects include 4-H Pig Squeal, goats, bee club and 4-H Grows where she

A Family Hatchery.

• 21 breeds of ducks

• 16 breeds of geese

Gonzales, CA

( 800) 424-7755

Memphis, TN

Shipping from your nearest location metzerfarms. com

To most of the U. S.

A Family Hatchery.

See Availability Now

( 800) 424-7755 metzerfarms. com

Reader Service No. 978

Gonzales, CA Memphis, TN

Shipping from your nearest location www. chickenwhisperermagazine. com Winter 2024 27