You are not required to show them. They come from a Pilgrim's Hatchery and they are bought for the whole state at one time, so maybe the price is a bulk price considering the extension office buys tens of thousands at one time.
I am new to this but some of those prices seem absurd. We raise show broilers and we get plymouth rock/white cornish crosses from our extension service for our shows. They cost 37 cents per chick less than a day old. There is no shipping involved we have to pick them up.