Changes in this year’s Grant County Fair Market Chicken Project Requirements:
Last year, only Freedom Ranger Broilers were permitted as market chickens for the 2024 Grant County Fair. The purpose of limiting options was to create a learning space where youth could hone their skills and succeed. This was reflected in all market chickens meeting the weight requirements and the number of market birds increasing from the previous year. The long-term vision of the poultry barn was to allow only Freedom Rangers for two or three years so youth could have consistency and then add more variables by opening the project up to other boiler breeds in 2026 or 2027.
Due to changes in availability linked to new regulations, health issues, and consumer demand, it will be difficult to source the Freedom Ranger Broiler within the required hatch dates for this year’s fair. Due to this reality, the poultry barn will permit youth to bring any broiler that is hatched in the proper time window and meet the size requirements to the 2025 Grant County Fair.
Youth will need to do their own research and source birds that will fit the proper requirements below.
CHICKEN USDA Broiler/Fryer Class
Age Range: 9-11wks at Fair check-in
Weight Range: 4.5-8.5lb at Fair check-in
Any Broiler breed (excluding those that mature in less than 9 weeks)
Either sex is permitted.
Hatch Dates: May 26—June 9, 2025
Ownership Certificates due to WSU Extension Office June 23, 2025.