Youngsters learn all things poultry through Junior Broiler Program at MTSU

Middle Tennessee fourth- through 12th-graders who aren’t chicken of chickens are spending six weeks learning about poultry science through the Middle Tennessee Junior Market Broiler Program at Middle Tennessee State University.

Hosted by MTSU’s School of Agriculture, the event kicked off last month with an introductory session, where each participant learned how to properly raise broiler chicks.

Joe Gulizia, an MTSU animal science major and president of the Poultry Science Club, talks to Kaden Kaul as he selects some of the chicks he will raise for the next several weeks as part of the Middle Tennessee Junior Market Broiler Program at Middle Tennessee State University

Joe Gulizia, an MTSU animal science major and president of the Poultry Science Club, talks to Kaden Kaul as Kaul selects some of the chicks he will raise for the next several weeks as part of the Middle Tennessee Junior Market Broiler Program at Middle Tennessee State University. The six-week program teaches area youngsters about poultry science. In the background are animal science major Christina Davis, left, and Dr. Kevin Downs, a poultry scientist in the School of Agriculture at MTSU. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Broiler chickens are raised specifically for meat production, though the chickens in the market broiler program are used strictly for educational purposes. Program participants learn broiler chick management, selection, exhibition and many more tasks involved in poultry science and the poultry industry.

“We are excited about this new poultry science youth development program at MTSU,” said Dr. Kevin Downs, a poultry scientist in the School of Agriculture.

“Participating students from around Middle Tennessee will learn more about the science and management of broiler chickens and the significance of the poultry industry. I believe any opportunity to expose young people to animals and agriculture in a learning environment is a valuable endeavor.”

Kevin Downs, right, poultry scientist in the School of Agriculture at MTSU, helps 11-year-old Kaden Kaul select some of the chicks Kaden will raise for the next several weeks as part of the Middle Tennessee Junior Market Broiler Program

Dr. Kevin Downs, right, a poultry scientist in the School of Agriculture at MTSU, helps 11-year-old Kaden Kaul select some of the chicks Kaden will raise for the next several weeks as part of the Middle Tennessee Junior Market Broiler Program at Middle Tennessee State University. The six-week program teaches area youngsters about poultry science. At left is Kaden’s father, Konrad Kaul. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Participants picked up their chicks in mid-August, when each received 20 broiler chicks and 25 pounds of starter feed. The youngsters will manage their broilers for six weeks until a September exhibition at the Tennessee Livestock Center. They’ll also participate in a variety of educational opportunities during the program.

For more information, contact Downs at kevin.downs@mtsu.edu.

— Keundrea Simpson, student intern (news@mtsu.edu)

A group of chicks await selection as part of the Middle Tennessee Junior Market Broiler Program at Middle Tennessee State University.

A clutch of chicks await selection as part of the Middle Tennessee Junior Market Broiler Program at Middle Tennessee State University. The six-week program teaches area youngsters about poultry science as they raise chicks for several weeks as part of the program. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Twelve-year-old Gavin Page, son of Mike Page, collects one of the chicks he’ll raise for the next several weeks as part of the Middle Tennessee Junior Market Broiler Program at Middle Tennessee State University.

Twelve-year-old Gavin Page collects one of the chicks he’ll raise for the next several weeks as part of the Middle Tennessee Junior Market Broiler Program at Middle Tennessee State University. The six-week program teaches area youth about poultry science. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)