RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to raise baby chicks—or if your kids have been begging for a project that’s both fun and meaningful—the Rutherford County 4‑H Chick Chain might be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s part of the UT‑TSU Agricultural Extension Service at the Lane Agri-Park.

The idea is simple, but the experience is anything but ordinary. Local 4th through 12th graders signs up in the fall, and by early March 2026, they’ll be handed a box of fluffy baby pullet chicks to take home. Those chicks become the center of family life for a while, as students learn how to feed them, care for them, and keep them healthy. Along the way, they attend monthly meetings at Lane Agri‑Park, where Extension staff and volunteers walk them through everything from nutrition to coop setup to how to spot a prize‑winning bird.

It’s not just about raising chickens, though. Each student completes a one‑page essay and a record book, tracking expenses, growth, and daily care. Come next August, they’ll bring their best five birds back to the Lane Agri‑Park for the annual 4‑H Poultry Show and Sale. The rest of the flock stays home, giving families a starter set of healthy, vaccinated pullets that will soon be laying eggs.

People often ask why the Chick Chain is so popular, and honestly, the reasons stack up quickly. Kids love it because it’s hands‑on and confidence‑building. There’s something special about watching a tiny chick grow into a full‑feathered hen under your care. Parents appreciate that it’s affordable—around $75 for 25 chicks or less than $50 for 13—and that the project teaches responsibility in a way no worksheet ever could. And when the sale rolls around, participants even earn a little money back, which adds a fun business‑learning twist.

For suburban families, the Chick Chain is often their first real taste of agriculture. Rutherford County may be growing fast, but programs like this keep our agricultural roots alive. The show‑and‑sale in August feels like a community reunion, with families catching up, kids comparing birds, and everyone cheering each other on.

The Chick Chain isn’t new, either. Tennessee’s 4‑H Chick Chain programs date back to 1953. Registration opened last month (November) and stays open only until the group fills up. And with backyard poultry booming nationwide, it’s no surprise that more families are jumping in.

What makes the Chick Chain truly shine, though, is the way it benefits everyone involved. Kids learn daily care, record‑keeping, decision‑making, and communication skills. Families get a safe, structured introduction to backyard poultry. And the community gains a new generation of young people who understand agriculture, appreciate where their food comes from, and feel connected to both rural and suburban neighbors.

In a county that’s growing and changing every year, the Chick Chain remains a steady reminder of what makes Rutherford County special: families learning together, kids discovering new passions, and a community that still gathers at Lane Agri‑Park to celebrate a good flock of birds. For more information, contact the UT-TSU Agricultural Extension Service at the Lane Agri-Park, 315 John R. Rice Blvd., Murfreesboro. Phone them at (615) 898-7710.