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CORVALLIS - The Oregon Fryer Commission's fifth annual Youth Pen of Fryers Contest will be held on Saturday, June 15, at the Polk County Fairgrounds in Rickreall. Oregon youth under 20 years of age as of June 15 are eligible to participate in the statewide competition.

Each contestant must register by April 5 and the fee is $5, explained James Hermes, a poultry specialist for the OSU Extension Service and contest superintendent. On Saturday, May 4, contestants or their representatives will be able to pick up 15 Cornish cross chicks, to be used in the contest, at Dryden Hall on the OSU campus in Corvallis.

The chicks will be the only ones accepted for judging, said Hermes. Information about how to raise them will be provided. Contestants will be required to grow the animals for six weeks (the normal age for commercial fryers) and bring the best three to the Polk County Fairgrounds on June 15 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 broiler industry and OSU poultry students or faculty.

Prizes will include a total purse of $3,350 in savings bonds, as well as trophies, rosettes and ribbons for contestants through the top 10 in each category. The top three pens will receive trophies and prize money of $500, $300, and $200, respectively. Prize money for the top three pens in three age classes will be $100, $75, and $50.

The fourth annual Oregon Poultry Olympics, 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@orst.edu. Information about the contest is available on the Web.