Schneider siblings can’t ‘duck’ the spotlight at the fair

When it comes to rearing ducks, Schneider siblings Gavin and Aubrey know how to do it the right way.

Gavin’s ducks took home the grand champion honor while Aubrey’s pair garnered reserve champion at this year’s Holmes County Junior Fair. The clean sweep at the top of the judging for the Winesburg Kids & Kritters 4-H Club duo meant the family would have bragging rights for the year.

However, when it comes to bragging rights at home while sitting around the dinner table, Gavin Schneider might have the upper hand, but his sister said it was simply a matter of age before beauty.

“I let him take the bigger ducks because he’s older and he has fewer years left in 4-H,” Aubrey Schneider said.

Gavin Schneider, a senior at Hiland High School this year, and Aubrey, a freshman, also raised and showed hogs at this year’s junior fair sale, with Aubrey’s weighing in at 274 pounds while Gavin’s weighed in at 269 pounds.

They shared responsibilities for raising all the animals, but it was with the ducks they found their success.

Gavin Schneider said raising the ducks is enjoyable but comes with its share of challenges, the most important being designing feed specifically formulated for the ducks.

“We fed and watered them daily and then let them swim pretty much 24/7, whenever they wanted to,” he said. “They were basically free range, so they had the ability to do what they wanted and go where they wanted.”

However, because they were free range, they required a close eye, which the siblings were more than ready to provide.

This marks the first year either of the siblings landed in the top two spots for ducks. However, Gavin Schneider has taken home the grand championship award for his hog before, and while he said they are challenging in their own ways, both have been gratifying.

Aubrey Schneider said the two siblings shared responsibilities when it came to caring for and watching the ducks.

She said while it is work, keeping an eye on the ducks does have its advantages.

“It’s kind of relaxing just sitting there watching them swim,” she said. “I love animals, and it’s easy to get a little attached to them when you’re raising them, but I’ve been doing this for a while and you come to realize it’s all part of the process.”

She said it’s fun to be able to raise the animals with her brother, and they get along in sharing the responsibilities, whether it’s ducks or hogs.

“Sometimes we can be a little competitive,” Aubrey Schneider said. “But mostly, we enjoy raising the animals together.”

While raising and showing animals at the fair is always a challenge and a joy for any 4-H youth, doing it together as siblings can spice up the fun and make things easier, whether it’s raising championship ducks or hogs.