Children compete at first farm show rooster crowing competition
Hunter Organ uses a noise maker to try to get his rooster to crow during the rooster crowing contest at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Those too cocky about being able to coax a crow from a rooster at the Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug.6 likely had their expectations dashed.
The Butler Farm Show was host to its first rooster crowing competition at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. About 10 children in 4-H spent 15 minutes seeing how many times they could get their roosters to crow.
Lisa Bauer, who ran the event, explained to the audience before the competition the roosters were covered 15 minutes beforehand to trick them into believing it was nighttime. Then, at the start, the roosters were uncovered.
The contestants each tried different strategies, from clapping to barking to playing music off their phones. Only a few methods were off limits, such as throwing things or touching the roosters or their cages.
Keira Cardin plays sounds from her phone to get her rooster to crow during the rooster crowing contest at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The audience, comprised of families of contestants and other farm show attendees, joined in by making noises toward and even cheering on roosters.
One participant, Hunter Organ, brought a kazoo that he blew toward his rooster. When that didn’t work, his mother suggested playing the National Anthem.
Some roosters tried to hide or ignored the contestants’ attempts altogether. At first, it seemed like none of them wanted to crow.
Then, one of the smaller roosters in the competition, Francis, crowed. Shortly after, he crowed again. By the end of the 15 minutes, Francis had crowed far more than any other rooster in the competition.
Francis and his owner, Anjulie Mitchell, won first place in the contest. Hunter won second place with his rooster only crowing once.
While Bauer originally planned for a third place winner, none of the other roosters even placed.
While many of the contestants strategies relied on surprising the rooster, Anjulie chose a strategy she said she knew would work.
“I was mainly only trying one thing, which is just staying calm and calling his name,” Mitchell said. “That seems to work normally, so I just kept doing it and it definitely did work.”
Bauer said, even though the roosters were uncooperative, she was pleased at the turnout and how much the children enjoyed the event. When bringing back showbirds to the Butler Farm Show, she said she knew she wanted to throw in something fun.
“This is the first year for most of the kids to even have any birds on the property,” she said. “So, this is something new. We were trying to see if it’d be a little bit of fun. It turned out very well.”
Looking forward, Bauer said she hopes with some modified rules to host a bigger and better competition next year.
“I think there will be a lot more who want to enter it and we’ll tweak the rules and make it not quite as long. Maybe we’ll just have one person agitating the birds and not all of them. A few of (the birds) were getting confused.”
Margaret LeViere races her goat Vulpix in an obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Hunter Wentling, middle, cheers on the contestants with his cousins Felicity Martin, left, and Vera Wentling, right, during the goat obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Hunter Wentling, middle, cheers on the contestants with his cousins Felicity Martin, left, and Vera Wentling, right, during the goat obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Travis Richards races his goat Deloris in an obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Travis Richards races his goat Deloris in an obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Dylan Thurber races his goat Soulpatch in an obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Alexandria Mikolaczyk races her goat Allura in an obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Travis Richards races his goat Deloris in an obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Dylan Thurber races his goat Soulpatch in an obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Haley Vorndran struggles to get her goat Daphne over the seesaw in an obstacle course race at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Ella Vickers races her goat Larry in an obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Jose Wilheit struggles to get her goat Taylor over the seesaw in an obstacle course race at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Ruth Flock races her goat Minji in an obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Travis Richards, left, high fives Ruth Flock after getting first and second place respectively in an obstacle course race at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Travis Richards shows State Representative Marci Mustello how to guide his goat Deloris for a special race in an obstacle course race at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
State Representative Marci Mustello races Travis Richards goat Deloris for a special race in an obstacle course race at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
A representative from State Representative Aaron Bernstine’s office races a goat in an obstacle course race at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Pinball machines for 4-H demonstrations examples were on display at the farm and home products building at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
(L-R) Mia Palamara, Summer Green, William Clark, Samuel Walowen, Tom Hartley, Austin Schneider, and Hunter Green pose with their pinball machines at the farm and home products building at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Prize winning corn were on display at the Farm and home products building at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Flowers were on display at the Farm and home products building at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
4-H’ers participate in a sack race during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
4-H’ers participate in a sack race during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
4-H’ers participate in a sack race during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
4-H’ers participate in Simon Says during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
4-H’ers participate in Simon Says during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Easton Osche balances a ball on a spoon during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Easton Osche balances a ball on a spoon during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
4-H’ers participate in Rock, Paper, Scissors during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
4-H’ers participate in race during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Jackson Leviere races to keep a ball on his spoon during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Jackson Leviere, left, and Tucer Craigplay Rock, Paper, Scissors during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
4-H’ers participate in Rock, Paper, Scissors during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Indiana Calhoun uses a water gun to fill up her team’s bucket in a race during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Easton Osche takes water from one bucket to another in a race during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Hunter Organ uses a noise maker to try and get his rooster to crow during the rooster crowing contest at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Keira Cardin plays sounds from her phone to get her rooster to crow during the rooster crowing contest at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Margaret LeViere races her goat Vulpix in an obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Hunter Wentling, middle, cheers on the contestants with his cousins Felicity Martin, left, and Vera Wentling, right, during the goat obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Hunter Wentling, middle, cheers on the contestants with his cousins Felicity Martin, left, and Vera Wentling, right, during the goat obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Travis Richards races his goat Deloris in an obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Travis Richards races his goat Deloris in an obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dylan Thurber races his goat Soulpatch in an obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Alexandria Mikolaczyk races her goat Allura in an obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Travis Richards races his goat Deloris in an obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dylan Thurber races his goat Soulpatch in an obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Haley Vorndran struggles to get her goat Daphne over the seesaw in an obstacle course race at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Ella Vickers races her goat Larry in an obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Jose Wilheit struggles to get her goat Taylor over the seesaw in an obstacle course race at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Ruth Flock races her goat Minji in an obstacle course at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Travis Richards, left, high fives Ruth Flock after getting first and second place respectively in an obstacle course race at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Travis Richards shows State Representative Marci Mustello how to guide his goat Deloris for a special race in an obstacle course race at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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State Representative Marci Mustello races Travis Richards goat Deloris for a special race in an obstacle course race at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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A representative from State Representative Aaron Bernstine’s office races a goat in an obstacle course race at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Pinball machines for 4-H demonstrations examples were on display at the farm and home products building at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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(L-R) Mia Palamara, Summer Green, William Clark, Samuel Walowen, Tom Hartley, Austin Schneider, and Hunter Green pose with their pinball machines at the farm and home products building at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Prize winning corn were on display at the Farm and home products building at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Flowers were on display at the Farm and home products building at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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4-H’ers participate in a sack race during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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4-H’ers participate in a sack race during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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4-H’ers participate in a sack race during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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4-H’ers participate in Simon Says during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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4-H’ers participate in Simon Says during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Easton Osche balances a ball on a spoon during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Easton Osche balances a ball on a spoon during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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4-H’ers participate in Rock, Paper, Scissors during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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4-H’ers participate in race during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Jackson Leviere races to keep a ball on his spoon during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Jackson Leviere, left, and Tucer Craigplay Rock, Paper, Scissors during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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4-H’ers participate in Rock, Paper, Scissors during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Indiana Calhoun uses a water gun to fill up her team’s bucket in a race during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Easton Osche takes water from one bucket to another in a race during the Barnyard Olympics at the dairy pavilion at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Hunter Organ uses a noise maker to try and get his rooster to crow during the rooster crowing contest at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Keira Cardin plays sounds from her phone to get her rooster to crow during the rooster crowing contest at the 77th annual Butler Farm Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
