Christa Hartsook
Program Coordinator, Small Farms/Acreage Living
Iowa State University Extension & Outreach
One of the fastest growing trends for small and beginning farmers is backyard poultry. Typically, poultry offers a small-scale livestock enterprise without requiring large amount of capital, land, time...
Biosecurity is one of the most important tools in the toolbox of the poultry producer. Learn some tips about keeping your flock safe in this short video collaboration with The Ohio Poultry Association.
Quick facts
Always wash your hands, equipment and work space after coming in contact with raw poultry.
Top quality poultry carcasses come from healthy, well-finished and well-fleshed birds.
Don’t feed poultry 6 to 8 hours before slaughter.
At the...
Farm supply stores are full of cute chicks in the spring, and the sight of the fluffy baby birds, combined with future dreams of fresh eggs, prompts many people to impulsively start a backyard flock.
Jessica Wells, poultry specialist with...
Serious disease outbreaks are recognized as one of the poultry industry’s greatest vulnerabilities because they have the potential to impact not only small backyard flocks, but also the multi-billion dollar commercial poultry industry and even the entire U.S. economy...
Many hens lay their first egg around 18 weeks of age and then lay up to an egg each day, subject to breed, environment and individual bird. At 18 weeks, choose a complete layer feed with the Purina® Oyster...
Source: CBC
CFIA has confirmed bird flu at 11 Ontario sites, including in 3 backyard flocks
As avian influenza spreads across Ontario, officials are urging people with backyard chickens to pay attention to potential signs of infection in their flocks.
They're also...
Coccidiosis is the most common disease of brooded poultry. It affects primarily chicks and poults (baby turkeys). But it may also (though rarely) affect keets (baby guinea fowl), ducklings, and goslings. It is the most common cause of death...
Few scientific studies have verified the use of herbs as insecticides or insect repellents. However, using herbs in the chicken coop won’t harm your chickens. And using repellent herbs for chickens just might discourage some of the external parasites...
Quick Facts…
Hens will lay their first eggs anywhere from four and one half to six months of age, depending on breed and other factors.
Egg production is controlled by the chicken’s pituitary gland, which is activated by the...