Salkum Woman Finds Herself a Finalist in America’s Strongest Chick Contest

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Lee Ellen Hagedorn didn’t always dream of being a competitive chicken rearer, the idea just sort of hatched naturally.

"During my first year raising backyard chickens, I had a broody hen who laid eggs in cold weather. I brought the eggs inside to incubate and a few days later, a small brown striped chick popped out, peeping away,” Hagedorn explained to contest organizers along with her official photo submission. “She's grown into one of the best mother hens I've had and will adopt any chick in the flock as her own," 

The Strongest Chick in America contest is sponsored by Purina and generates hundreds of submissions from all over the country. Now, Hagedorn, of Salkum, is a finalist in the nationwide search for the brawniest brood. As a finalist, Hagedorn, or more accurately her photogenic chick, Peep, is one step away from winning a year’s supply of feed for the whole backyard flock.

Peep was chosen as a finalist via a Facebook poll that generated more than 120,000 votes. A total of nine chicks will face off on the Purina Facebook page on April 23 for the crowing the Strongest Chick in America.

A press release from poultry pageant organizers noted that the contest is “part of Purina’s annual celebration of baby chicks each spring. Backyard chickens are becoming more popular each year as a family pet with benefits.  Both urban and rural families start raising flocks in the spring, so they can collect farm fresh eggs when the hens turn 18 weeks old in the fall.”



As part of the contest, Purina is hosting a series of “backyard flock conversations” at local feed stores. 

The events are suitable for both greenhorn and veteran chicken farmers alike. 

“Anyone who loves animals is invited to attend their local Purina Flock Talk event,” said Katie Signorelli, backyard flock marketing manager for Purina, in a press release. “Our spring chick events have created excitement for years. This year, we renamed our celebration, and added activities for both beginner and experienced flock raisers. We can’t wait for this poultry party, because who doesn’t love talking chickens?”