RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN (WGNS) - If your family has ever talked about raising backyard chickens, this might be the perfect year to give it a try. The Rutherford County Agriculture Extension Service has officially opened registration for the 2026 4‑H Chick Chain, a hands‑on project that lets local 4th–12th graders bring home their own pullet chicks and learn how to care for them from day one.

Kids will pick up their Red Star chicks the week of April 13, 2026. These little fluffballs come vaccinated for Marek’s Disease, and throughout the spring and summer, participants will meet monthly with 4‑H staff to learn the basics—feeding, housing, health, and everything in between. It’s a fun, practical way for young people to build confidence while watching their birds grow.

The big moment comes on September 19, 2026, when everyone brings their best three hens to the 4‑H Poultry Show and Sale. The birds are shown and then sold, and after expenses, the proceeds are divided among participants who complete all the project requirements. Families keep the rest of their flock at home, so the experience doesn’t end when the show does.

To qualify for sale proceeds, youth will need to write a short essay about raising their chicks, complete a record book, compete in Skillathon, and return three birds for the September show. The cost is $50 for 12 chicks or $100 for 25, and registration stays open through the end of March—or until all spots are filled, which tends to happen quickly.

Families can register and pay online through the UT‑TSU Extension store. Anyone with questions can reach out to Extension Agent Anna Lee Gafford at the Rutherford County office on John R. Rice Boulevard. Phone (615) 898-7710 or email her at annlgaff@utk.edu.