4-H Poultry Chain order deadline slated Feb. 4

by Sean Dunlap

Franklin County’s 4-H Poultry Chain project initiative for 2022 is getting under way with the deadline for ordering chicks now set for Friday, Feb. 4.

The local Poultry Chain outreach is open to area youth between the ages of 8 and 18 and is designed to be a fun activity for participants to learn about raising livestock humanely and efficiently.

Franklin County Agents Keith Whithead and Cynthia Wilkinson said several breeds will be available, including brown egg layers such as Barred Rock, Cinnamon Queen, Silver Laced Wyandotte and Buff Orpington; and white egg layers such as the White Leghorn.

Guidelines for taking part in the program include:

• Participants can order chicks in lots of 25 pullets with the 4-H Poultry Chain paying for the chicks.

• Participants will be required to provide pens, equipment, feed and care for the chicks they receive.

• For each lot of 25 chicks participants receive, five pullets are to be returned for the annual 4-H Poultry Chain Show and Sale.

Proceeds from the sale of these pullets goes to fund the local Poultry Chain for the upcoming year.

• Participants are responsible for the value of the chicks in case of loss for whatever reason.

In most cases, the value of responsibility is about $90 per lot of 25 chicks.

• Chicks should arrive in April.

Those interested in participating in this year’s Poultry Chain should call the Mississippi State University Extension Service office in Meadville at 601-384-2349 or visit 20 Walnut Street (across from the courthouse) for more information.

Absolutely no orders for chicks will be accepted after 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 4.



Meadville Methodist Holy Week Luncheons