When COVID hit, many of the livestock shows were canceled which meant that so many kids didn’t get to show their livestock that they had worked so hard to raise over the last year. I was heartbroken for all of these families whose lives revolve around their animals and I knew I wanted to help a family remember this crazy year and those animals they had worked so hard with for the entire year. What you might not know about me, is that I showed Lambs & Goats through 4H & FFA in high school, and I started my photography career photographing livestock at shows. Getting to photograph this family with their livestock was a bit like going back to where it all started.
The girls shared with me some insight into what their life is life raising livestock and how it has impacted their life.
“I love raising chickens because it helps me show a lot of hard work and responsibly and helps me achieve goals. Also, if I win, the money will help me pay for college so I can have a good education. The first day we get our chickens, they are so super, duper cute with their yellow fluffy down and their loud, high-pitched cheep cheeps.” – I
“This is my 4th year raising chickens, and I’ve really enjoyed doing it! It’s a lot of work, but I enjoy watching them grow from tiny chicks to full-sized market broilers in six weeks. In 2020, we were about to show in Houston the very next day and then the pandemic closed the rodeo. I was disappointed and sad but Blue Bell ice cream did help a little.
Recently, when the winter storm hit, we had to make sure none of the waters froze and we had to put all of our space heaters in our chicken room. But thankfully none of the chickens had any problems. We were a little chilly in the house and we did school by the fireplace but the chickens were nice as toasty the whole time! Even with all these challenges, we still kept going and raised healthy chickens for our family and others. ” – A
“What I love about raising broilers is that it is a family affair, and everyone starts on the same page. For six weeks, it is an intense sprint…with hurdles. And, it is always either really hot or really cold. We have to work together, or we won’t succeed. It is tiring, but worth it.
When we get the chicks, they are adorable, and it is entertaining watching them interact with each other. The 2020 cancellation of the Houston Livestock Show was devastating, because we had worked so hard for six weeks and had so much fun, and for all of that to go to waste was crushing.
Raising cattle is another story. It is still hard work, but it is a different type of work. You have to halter-break your calf, and it can be dangerous if you get kicked or stepped on. It is fun throughout the process, but rewarding when you get to go to shows. You also get the experience of the cattle industry and all that entails.
During the shutdown, I loved seeing the cattle industry really help all the youth who were not able to show or sell their projects. Cattle raisers or those around the 4-H/FFA arena either quickly created alternate, smaller/outdoor shows or purchased cattle they wouldn’t have ordinarily purchased.
Overall, raising animals is a great way to learn skills for the future: patience, hard work, teamwork, and heavy lifting!” -E
