Sam Hein answers questions while holding his hen, Suzy, during a poultry showmanship competition at the Cass County Fair Thursday. Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

A “fowl” up led to a top finish for a Niles boy in the youth poultry show at the Cass County Fair.

Sam Hein, 13, said he never intended on entering his hen, Lucy, in Thursday’s standard hen competition.

“She was too old so I didn’t think she would do very well,” said Hein.

Hein’s mother, Leona, later admitted she must have entered Lucy by mistake.

The innocent slip-up turned out well for Lucy, who was named the reserve grand champion standard hen.

It was Sam’s best finish in eight years of showing everything from sheep, to pigs to draft horses.

“It was definitely a surprise,” he said.

Sam also used Lucy to finish third in his respective age group in the poultry showmanship contest.

He credits his family and four sisters for helping him perform well at the fair.

“Most of the stuff I learned, I learned from my sisters. They sort of dragged me into this. I wouldn’t have chickens if it weren’t for them,” he said.

Sam’s older sister Libby had the reserve grand champion standard cock.

Another one of Sam’s sisters, Ele, is raising money for the American Cancer Society. She says she will donate the money made during Saturday’s auction to ACS. She said she’s already raised more than $400 through pre-auction donations. Her goal is $500.

The Cass County Fair continues today with the youth livestock judging contest, Ag Olympics, pizza eating contest and more.

The fair is located at the Cass County Fairgrounds in Cassopolis.