Adams County Fair poultry barn offers youth income

ADAMS COUNTY - The Adams County Fair poultry barn features fewer animals than last year, but youth still look at the barn as a way to make money.

Ernesto Sandaval, 17, is in his third year bringing his poultry to the fair. The Wahluke Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter member made $500 on a grand champion Bantam his first year showing, Last year, he made $150 on a blue-ribbon Dutch Bantam.

This year, he is showing a pair of roosters, which he also hoped to sell.

Sandaval said he shows poultry because he doesn't have much land to raise animals. Poultry take little space and are easy to keep clean, he said.

Diego Arreguin, 14, brought a chicken to the fair this year at the suggestion of his cousins. He, too, hoped to sell his poultry.

Arreguin described his chicken's mixed personality.

"Sometimes she gets angry and she starts fighting … Sometimes, she's calm," he said.

German Godinez, 16, said the chicken he is showing is about 8 months old. Godinez, a high school junior, said he wanted to show chickens since his freshman year in school.

This is the first year he was able to get a chicken to show.

Poultry Barn Superintendent of five years, Don Massey, said all the participants try to bring their best poultry to the competition.

Massey counted 51 chickens, two peacocks and two geese on display. The geese might be a new addition this year, he said.

He said the amount of poultry on display is down. Last year, people brought in pigeons, doves and ducks.

He speculated the decrease in participation might be due to an increase in gas prices.