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CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF HOME POULTRY FLOCKS. Dr. Jacquie Jacob University of Kentucky. An Equal Opportunity University. TOPICS. Dream it Plan it Do it Manage it Keep it. DREAM IT. Goal setting Eggs: For home use and/or for sale Meat: For home use and/or for sale
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CARE AND MANAGEMENTOF HOME POULTRY FLOCKS Dr. Jacquie Jacob University of Kentucky An Equal Opportunity University
TOPICS • Dream it • Plan it • Do it • Manage it • Keep it
DREAM IT • Goal setting • Eggs: For home use and/or for sale • Meat: For home use and/or for sale • Exhibition and/or 4-H project
PLAN IT • Check local ordinances • Yes → What restrictions? • No → Can the rules be changed?
ORDINANCES • Resources: • State regulations • http://www.ca.uky.edu/smallflocks/KentuckyOrdinances.html • County resources • http://www.ca.uky.edu/smallflocks/Ordinances.html
PLAN ITProduct utilization • Selling eggs • A few eggs: Follow safe handling guidelines • Collect as frequently as possible and refrigerate immediately • Wash only mildly dirty eggs • Do not use dirty eggs • More eggs / Farmers Markets: Kentucky egg rule (for food safety)
PLAN ITProduct utilization • Meat • A few: Plan on killing and cleaning the chickens yourself • Greater numbers: Only three options for custom processing • SS Enterprises in Bowling Green • Central Kentucky Custom Meats in Liberty • KSU mobile processing unit • Need a docking station (KSU, Morehead and Jackson County) • Need to be certified to use the facility (take a day-long course with quiz • Supply your own labor
PLAN IT • Breed selection
BREED SELECTIONWhite-shelled eggs Leghorns Minorcas Anconas
BREED SELECTIONBrown-shelled eggs Australorp New Hampshire Rhode Island Red Plymouth Rock
BREED SELECTIONMaran Chocolate-colored egg shells
BREED SELECTIONAmeraucana Green-colored egg shells
PLAN ITBreed selection • Meat production • Cornish cross • Dual purpose breeds • Plymouth Rock • Rhode Island Red • New Hampshire Red • Other heritage chickens • Recently available: Slower-growing meat-type chickens
PLAN ITBreed selection • Exhibition • Make an excellent 4-H project • Purebred • Standard or Bantam • Utility
PLAN ITHousing • Design depends on type and size of flock • Accessories • Nest boxes • Perches
DO ITBrooding young birds • Chicks not able to maintain their own body temperature until they become fully feathered (usually around 3-4 weeks of age)
DO ITBrooding young birds • Heat • Water • Feed
DO IT • Feed and water must be provided at all times • If for year round egg production need to supply additional light when days start getting shorter
MANAGE IT • Bird management • Feed, water, light • Waste management • Manure, dead birds • Egg collection or poultry processing
KEEP IT • Small flock owners need to be good neighbors • Keep the housing clean to prevent odors and flies • Do not let your chickens go onto the neighbors property • Sharing eggs can go a long way
KEEP IT • Monitor the flock for health • Level of production or growth rate • If egg production: level of production and quality of the eggs produced • Feed being consumed • Appearance of the fecal material • Activity of the birds
RESOURCES • UK’s small flocks website - smallflocks.com • eXtension - eXtension.org • FAQs • Ask an expert • Articles on specific topics