(La Porte County, IN) - A boy whose chicken easily outdistanced most of her flying competitors during the LaPorte County Fair on Monday apparently has an eye for talent.  Matthew Knowlton, 11, of Rolling Prairie won the Chicken Flying Competition, one of the most popular of the 4-H youth contests held annually during the fair.

 

His bird, “Nugget,” advanced to the finals with a flight of more than 72 feet, which was close to 10 feet longer than any other chicken in the four weight divisions.  Her winning flight was just shy of 35 feet but still over five feet longer than the second place finisher.

 

Knowlton, who’s in his first year in the 4-H program, said he was excited and surprised at how well Nugget performed.  He said the only time he saw her fly was after she recently escaped from her pen at home and went airborne for a short distance while he and members of his family tried catching her.

 

“I didn’t expect her to fly that far.  I’m glad,” he said.

 

His mother, Nicki, said Nugget was purchased in April at a local farm supply store just for trying to win the contest.  She and her son noticed Nugget seemed to have more spunk than the other chicks and felt such energy would translate into being a strong flyer.

 

“Mostly she was small and feisty.  Our goal is accomplished,” she said.

 

Knowlton said he plans to return to the competition with Nugget next year to give her a chance at defending her title.

 

Sarah Peterson, 14, of La Porte came in confident about her bird’s ability to fly judging by how often she and her other chickens “go into the trees at home.”

 

The distance flown by her chicken, “Regina George,” was just over five feet short of winning the title, but nearly ten feet better than the third place finisher.

 

Each of the chickens in the contest started flapping their wings as they attempt to stay airborne once shoved from a platform that is about 10 feet tall.

 

Carolyn Krause, who helps put on the event as a volunteer member of the Poultry Committee, said there were about 50 entries in this year’s contest, which is roughly a dozen more than last year.  She said chickens are much better at running, which spectators seem to enjoy the most especially when they're dodging volunteers chasing them with nets to keep them from escaping the show arena after landing.

 

“They’re not usually a flying bird at all but they fly some distances.  We’ve had them over 50 feet at times,” she said.