In the early spring, Pike County 4-H’ers were presented with the opportunity to participate in the Pike County Cackle Club and the response was greater than expected.

Heath Wesley, Pike County Extension coordinator, said nine 4-H’ers from Pike County and five others from outside the county are participating in Pike County’s first Cackle Club. The club is tailor-made for 4-H’ers who are interested in backyard egg production.

“We have several local 4-H’ers who participated in the club in Dale County last year and they really enjoyed it” Wesley said. “We wanted to offer the Cackle Club here in Pike County. So, we have partnered with the local Shriners in an effort to also build up the livestock barn at the Pike County Fair.”

Wesley said 4-H and country fairs go hand in hand.

“Not many counties in our area have county fairs anymore and our kids are excited about the Cackle Club and the opportunity to compete with their chicks at the county fair,” he said.

The three-day-old chicks arrived at the Pike County Extension Office in Troy Wednesday and the 4-H’ers lost no time in picking up their baby chicks.

“The kids had the choice of three breeds, Rhode Island Reds, Light Brahmas and Buff Orpingtons,” Wesley said. “Each of them received six female pullets to raise. They will take their two best pullets to be shown at the Pike County Fair in October.”

The 4-H’ers participated in a training session in April so they would know how to take care of their chicks once they got them home.

“They will care for the chicks for about 21 weeks before they compete at the county fair,” Wesley said. “They have the responsibility of building the brooder and the chicken coop. They are required to keep a record book that includes anything they have to buy.

“The Cackle Club is a good learning experience for the kids. They have the responsibility of producing healthy chicks.  They develop good record-keeping skills. They learn showmanship because they have to handle the pullets when they show them. At the county fair, the kids will be interviewed by the judges so they learn interview skills.’

And, the Cackle Club members learn good business practices that could lead to a profitable business.

“At the end of the program, they can sell their chickens or keep them and sell the eggs to neighbors and church members,” Wesley said. “They could build up a good little backyard egg business. And, the Cackle Club is a good family project. Everyone can enjoy it.”

And, the enjoyment for the parents of the Cackle Clubbers began immediately as they chauffeured kids and biddies home.

Olivia Cole, a fifth-grader at Goshen Elementary, already had names for her Rhode Island Reds. Penelope and Willomena were the first to be named.

“I’m going to keep them in the closet at first,” Olivia said. “I’m going to feed and water them in containers made from Mason jars.”

And, Olivia knows already that she won’t sell her chicks. She’s going to keep them in a fence-in area with plans to gather eggs every morning to sell in the afternoon.

Phenix Griffin, a PLAS fifth-grader, chose Buff Orpingtons for his Cackle Club project.

He had a place ready and waiting for them in the garage. He has pledged to look after the chicks and his goal is to raise healthy chicks. He’s not sure about the future of his chickens but they will be well fed and ready for the show in October.

Also participating in the Cackle Club program are Haley Finlayson, Pike County High School, ninth grade; Blake Barron, Troy Elementary, fifth grade; Braden Renfroe, Pike Liberal Arts, fourth grade; Breanna Barron, Goshen Elementary, fourth grade; Hunter Kelly, TES, fifth grade; Emma Sanders, PLAS, fourth grade; Keira Brody, Banks, third grade; Karina Marsha, Luverne High School; Madilyn Self, Highland Home High School; and Colby Lee, Brody Lee and Abigail Lee, Andalusia.