Most grand champion winners are excited.

Thursday, July 12, 2001

Most grand champion winners are excited. But in the 2001 chicken show, this accomplishment had particular significance.

Grand champion Jayson Pine, 19, of the Rome Wranglers 4-H club, is in his 12th and final year in 4-H. However, it is the club’s first year, and both grand and reserve champion were members of the Wranglers.

The Fairland High School graduate will be leaving to join the U.S. Air Force next month.

Pine said he was surprised he won, because his pair of chickens were not the largest. However, he said he did try to pick a well matched pair, which was one of the qualities the judge was looking for.

"I will miss 4-H," Pine said. "It’s been a big part of my life."

This is the fifth year Pine has raised chickens for the fair. He said he chose chickens because they require less maintenance than some other animals. "And they’re a lot cleaner," he said.

In deciding the ranking for the chickens, Judge David Adkins of Lucasville said he looked for well muscled birds and a pair that is similar in appearance.

An important factor in judging is the quality of care the birds receive, particularly their diet, County 4-H Agent Laura Murphy said.

"Today people are concerned about the quality of the meat," she said. "Our kids are learning from the ground up to make sure they’re raising safe, healthy products."

There were 15 entries this year.