Proceedings available at: www.extension.org/67609 Because of their size, it is possible to raise most poultry species (chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, pigeon, etc.) with only a minimal amount of acreage. This has made them increasingly popular in rural, suburban, and urban areas throughout the United States. They are suitable for 4-H/classroom projects, backyard flocks, as well as small- and medium-sized production flocks. Many of those who have started raising poultry have limited experience with poultry production.

1. SMALL AND BACKYARD
POULTRY FLOCKS
Dr. Jacquie Jacob
University of Kentucky

2. American poultry production started out as small home flocks

3. World War II increased demand for poultry meat and eggs

4. Poultry production became more mechanical

5. At the end of World War II mechanization continued to increase

6. In-line processing facility
Laying houses
1
2
7
8
9
10
3
4
5
6
11
COMMERCIAL EGG PRODUCTION

7. COMMERCIAL CHICKEN MEAT PRODUCTION

8. BACKYARD POULTRY FLOCKS

9. NATIONAL ANIMAL HEALTH
MONITORING SYSTEM 2004 STUDY
• Chickens of table-egg breeds were found in
63.2% of the backyard flocks surveyed
– On average backyard flocks had 35.1 birds, ranging
from an average of 26.1 in the southeast region to
49.2 birds in the east region
– Nearly 1 in 3 backyard flocks had fewer than 10
birds

10. BACKYARD POULTRY FLOCKS

11. BACKYARD POULTRY FLOCKS

12. BACKYARD POULTRY FLOCKS
• 1 hen produces 64 grams (as is basis) of manure each day
• 23 kilograms per year (>50 lbs.)

13. BACKYARD POULTRY FLOCKS

14. BACKYARD POULTRY FLOCKS

15. BACKYARD POULTRY FLOCKS

16. BACKYARD POULTRY FLOCKS

17. BACKYARD POULTRY FLOCKS

18. BACKYARD POULTRY FLOCKS

19. BACKYARD POULTRY FLOCKS

20. BACKYARD POULTRY FLOCKS

21. 2007 Ag Census
• Laying hens: > 143,000 farms with flocks of
< 20,000 hens
– 125,195 farms had < 50
• Broilers: > 10,000 farms sold <16,000 broilers
each year
– Majority selling < 2,000 broilers each year
• Turkeys: > 5,500 farms selling < 2,000 turkeys
each year

22. SMALL POULTRY FLOCKS

23. SMALL POULTRY FLOCKS

24. SMALL POULTRY FLOCKS

25. SMALL POULTRY FLOCKS

26. SMALL POULTRY FLOCKS

34. www.eXtension.org/poultry