Poultry & Rabbits
4-H Poultry Showmanship Questions
Lists questions a 4-H member could be asked by the judge during a 4-H poultry showmanship competition. Questions are organized by level of difficulty (junior, intermediate and senior) and are...
Avoiding Residues in Small Poultry and Game Bird Flocks
Don't let any chemical residues show up in meat or eggs from your flock. Discusses where residues can originate and how to avoid them in poultry and eggs. Author: J.C. Hermes 2 pages
Biofilters in Animal Agriculture
Biofilters can reduce odor emissions from concentrated livestock facilities. This publication discusses what they are and how they work, describes different types and discusses important factors...
Break-even Analysis of Small-Scale Production of Pastured Organic Poultry
Data from five years of trials at Washington State University were used to compare costs and returns for pastured organic broilers using two strains of Cornish Cross meat birds, the industry...
Composting and Using Backyard Poultry Waste in the Home Garden
For the backyard agriculturist, proper composting of chicken manure has no downsides. This publication provides basic information on how to properly process backyard-poultry waste and use it in a...
Country of Origin Labeling and Livestock Producers
Provides background information on the new Country of Origin Labeling Law, how it might affect sales of U.S. meat, and how producers can track and provide documentation regarding the country of...
Guidelines for feeding small flocks of meat-type chickens. Including a discussion of standard versus organic feeds, mixing feeds at home and alternatives to traditional ingredients. This...
Getting the Most Feed Nutrient for the Dollar
This publication describes a process livestock producers should use to determine the value of a feed that will provide energy or protein to balance a forage-based ration. Authors: Glenn Shewmaker,...
This publication helps small-flock chicken producers select the correct feeds and manage watering to meet the nutritional needs of their laying hens at specific stages of the birds' development.
Market Poultry Lesson Plans: From Egg To Animal
Raising animals is one of the foundational learning experiences for 4-H youth. Chickens are fairly easy for children to start with but there is a learning curve. This bulletin conveniently compiles...
Proper Egg Handling: From Farm or Grocery Store to Table
Eggs are part of a healthy diet and a convenient protein source. If not managed properly they can cause illness. Learn the food-safety basics of handling, storing, selling and consuming eggs from...
Raising Ratites: Ostriches, Emu, and Rheas
Ratites are mostly large, flightless birds that exist in the wild in Australia, Africa or South America. But U.S. growers have been raising them as alternative and likely healthier meat sources for...
The Veterinary Feed Directive: The Why, What, and How Guide for Livestock Producers
Since 1996, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken regulatory action via the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) to ensure that drugs used to treat bacterial diseases in all food-producing...
Why Did My Chickens Stop Laying?
Hens stop laying eggs for a variety of reasons but hormonal fluctuation is the main one. This publication briefly discusses what triggers that effect, including decreasing day length, molting,...