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CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Oregon Fryer Commission's ninth-annual Youth Pen of Fryers Contest will be held on Saturday, May 20, at the Polk County Fairgrounds in Rickreall. Oregon youth under 20 years of age as of May 20 are eligible to participate in the statewide competition.

Each contestant must register by March 10 to compete in the contest, said James Hermes, a poultry specialist with the Oregon State University Extension Service. The entry fee is $10.

Contestants will be required to pick up their 15 Cornish cross chicks on April 9 at the Polk County Fairgrounds in Rickreall. The distribution event will be held in conjunction with the Western Oregon 4-H Poultry Field Day.

Only chicks provided to contestants specifically for the contest will be accepted for judging, said Hermes. Information about raising the chickens will be provided.

Contestants will be required to grow their broilers for six weeks. They will bring the best three from their flock to the Polk County Fairgrounds for judging on May 20 as a "pen of fryers."

Birds will be judged on body weight, uniformity, defects, cleanliness, feathering and vigor, according to Hermes. Judges will be members of the poultry industry and OSU poultry students and faculty members.

Prizes will include a total purse of about $3,300 in savings bonds, plus medals, rosettes and ribbons.

The annual Oregon Poultry Olympics, a series of games and activities for contestants, will be held during the judging and scoring. The Oregon Fryer Commission will provide a barbecued chicken lunch for contestants and their families.

For information about the contest and to receive a registration form contact Hermes. Phone: 541-737-2254. E-mail: James.Hermes@oregonstate.edu. Information about the contest is available on the Web at: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/animal-sciences/ofccon.htm.