Sad day at the fair for one 4H kid

Poor kid, I feel for her...the way my chickens flap and struggle sometimes, I'm amazed they haven't broken anything yet, but I'm always scared of it.

It's sweet of you to want to do something for her - maybe give a chicken book that she doesn't have?  Something to encourage her to continue her hobby...

I think I would share with her that animals are fragile and some are just more so than others.  Rabbits that buck too hard break their backs.  Silkies get wry neck, or hang themselves (because silkies are stupid), goats get bloat.  Ducks need extra niacin.....  Maybe let her know she is not alone, and this is not the end of the world for her.  She is 10 and just starting out, though I know how the poor kid feels.  It totally sucks to accidently injure an animal.

Could she take one to the pet class?  That way she'd still get the reward for her work.

Is 4-H about winning?

Or is 4-H about young people learning, and growing, in a postive
way?

I'm not there, didn't see a thing. But Chickenology did. And on the committee even.

4-H children are winners in my book. Not about the ribbons, not about the trophy.
That's the adult in us that make those things matter. Some of these children spend
months on their projects.

And in that time, the child learns.

Learning is it's own reward.

This summer has had some heat. Even we, as growups, are dealing with it, learning
about it, and how to cope.

This heat is not the children's fault. So why punish the child?

If I was voting, that would be my vote.

Show the two remaining birds. Explain how the heat has affected us all.

Praise the young child and the effort she did make.

And we ALL win.

Isn't that what 4-H is really about?

Yes, it's about learning and experience.  My husband (who is 32) STILL talks and laughs about his pig running loose through the exhibits at the state fair. Perhaps next year she'll widen her horizons and show more than one project.  Bless your heart for thinking of her to purchase her two remaining.  I'd say if you have the room for two more birds, go for it!

I could not have said this better.

A.T. Hagan :

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spookwriter 

4-H children are winners in my book. Not about the ribbons, not about the trophy.
That's the adult in us that make those things matter. Some of these children spend
months on their projects.

And in that time, the child learns.

Learning is it's own reward.

Show the two remaining birds. Explain how the heat has affected us all.

Praise the young child and the effort she did make.

And we ALL win.

Isn't that what 4-H is really about?

I could not have said this better.

That's what 4H is supposed to be all about. If you asked the other kids they would probably agree. The parents wouldn't though.

I don't think it is appropriate to make it all go away by buying the two chickens or anything else.

CHildren need to learn that when life hands them disappointment, it's okay to have a good cry, but learn from the sad event, stand up tall and do the right thing.

Take a fan to the county fair next time, or don't show the birds if the heat or bathing in a strange place may cause injury or death.

The attitude here of 'oh well, the birds died because it was hot in the building'.....WHAAAAATTTT????????

Frankly, I cannot see why anyone would have a kid leave their birds in a building where birds are dying because the building is so stuffy and poorly ventilated.  What kind of lesson is that?

being a mom and having a daughter around that age I would even if it may seem absurd print out a certificate for raising such fine birds with 25$ in an envelope from a mysterious donor.  That poor girl she worked so hard and was trying to keep her chickens cool.