2020 Youth Essays - Kathryn Swinyer (Junior)

My name is Kathryn Swinyer and I am 8 years old. It is my first year in 4-H in Sheridan

County and in the poultry project. We have lots of chickens at my house. My brother

and I help take care of them every day. We give them water, food, and get the eggs

from the coop. I like taking care of them and all the different kinds of birds. We have

chickens and turkeys and guineas on our farm. I have lots of favorites but my most

favorite is Rosie my little girl frizzle. She is a bantam cochin. Her mom is my other frizzle

cochin Rachel. Rachel is so cute and crazy looking and I wanted more frizzles. When we

collected the eggs my brother and I saved the eggs from Rachel. We wanted to hatch

them in my incubator. After 21 days that took forever, chicks hatched and Rosie was

one of them! There are actually two frizzles but one is a boy and we will find him a new

home. Rosie is a pullet and her brother Blaze is a cockerel. We’ve been hatching lots

more chickies at my house. I love teaching them how to eat and drink and how to be a

nice pet. I am sure to give them snuggles and make sure they are healthy before they go

to a new home. Lots of 4-H kids bought chicks from me.Lots of 4-H kids bought

chicks from me. It was good because I used the money to buy the birds their favorite

food- sunflower seeds! I took Rosie to showmanship practice and she did great.

She’s little like me and I like that. I can’t wait to take her to county fair since I have

known her since she was an egg and thatmakes her “egg-stra” special. That is why I

love Rosie and here is a picture of us. She pooped on me, but that’s ok because I

love her.