By Morgan Watts

Rowan Cooperative Extension

The Rowan County Fair broiler project was back again this year and in full swing. We had seven youth who participated in the project.

The participants received their broilers the end of July as 3-day-old chicks and they were responsible for taking care of the birds every day until the fair. Everyday care included feeding, watering, observing health, and keeping their cages cleaned.

They also had to learn the difference between and methods of taking take of a baby chick vs. a full-grown broiler. The participants received six broilers, but where only allowed to bring their three best ones to the fair to show as a pen of three.

The participants brought their best three birds to the fair on Sept. 15 to be weighed. The birds were ranked by their weight. On Sept. 17, the participants came back to the fairgrounds to show off their birds and a judge evaluated them on confirmation and uniformity. The participants also had to tell the judge about their experiences with the project.

This was a great project for youth to learn communication skills, responsibility, and financial management.

Below is a list of results from the Rowan County Fair Broiler Project:

Talton Correll — First in Weight and Conformation Classes

Joshua Wilson — Second in Weight and Conformation Class

Lydia Wilson — Third in Weight and fifth in Conformation

Abigail Wilson — fifth in Weight and third in Conformation

Aiden Best — Fourth in Weight and fifth in Conformation

Ashlee Files — Seventh in Weight and sixth in Conformation

Hannah Roberts — Sixth in Weight and seventh in Conformation

After the fair was over, the birds were processed and the meat was donated to Rowan Helping Ministries. We would also like to thank Farm Bureau for their help and sponsorship to make this project such a huge success.

If you would like to sign up or get on the list for next year to participate (open to youth ages 5-19 as of Jan. 1) or if you have any questions please call Morgan Watts, livestock agent, Rowan County Cooperative Extension, 704-216-8970.

Coyote and Vulture workshop

The Rowan County Cattlemen’s Association and the Piedmont Small Ruminant Association will have a coyote and vulture workshop at 7p.m., Thursday, Oct. 5 at the Rowan County Agricultural Building, 2727 Old Concord Road.

The meeting will be presented by the North Carolina Wildlife Commission. A meal will be provided at $5 per person. Please RSVP by Oct. 3 by calling 704-216-8970 so we can have an accurate count for meals.