Poultry
Whether you have an established poultry operation or are thinking about purchasing poultry to start an operation, this website is meant to give you resources to be successful with your flock!
Management of the Small Flock of Chickens
Resource Guide for Owners of Small Poultry Flocks
Housing
Every flock needs housing, and anyone who has searched for a plan knows, there are as many options as there are breeds of chickens. Some designs are simple, relatively inexpensive, and easy to build. Others look good but are not all that functional. The worst designs fail to consider the most important criteria—the health and safety of the birds. The following publication provides Housing Tips for Small Poultry Flocks that are essential to keeping your flock safe, healthy, and productive.
Housing Tips for Small Poultry Flocks
Nutrition
A sound nutrition program is essential to a successful poultry operation. From an economic standpoint, feeding accounts for 60 to 70 percent of the cost of production. To maximize production at the least cost, producers should pay close attention to the nutritional requirements of the species. The word nutrient refers to a broad category of organic and inorganic compounds found in food that are essential for maximum growth, egg production and feed efficiency. Feed efficiency refers to the amount of food, in pounds, required to produce a pound of body weight, or in the case of egg production, pounds of feed required to produce a dozen eggs. Nutrients essential for building and maintaining a successful poultry flock include water, carbohydrates, fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals. the following publication addresses the function of individual nutrients and notes variations in nutrient requirements among classes of poultry.
Poultry Nutrition for the Small Flock
Disease Control
Before you even begin to think about starting a small, part-time, speciality poultry enterprise, you need to consider disease control. Keeping a healthy flock is important not only to your own farm, but to other farms, both small and commercial size. Put it first and foremost on your list of things to do. Click here to learn more about Disease Control for your flock.
Eliminating Mites in Poultry Flocks
Other Useful Links:
Safe Transport of Poultry and Gamebirds in Kansas
Preventing Hens From Eating Eggs