Small-Scale Production

General Information

• Backyard Chicken Basics (University of Minnesota Extension) PDF / HTML
• Backyard Poultry: Implications for Public Health and Safety (University of Minnesota) PDF
• Basic Guide for the Backyard Chicken Flock (University of Florida) PDF / HTML
• Home Flock (Mississippi State University) PDF
• How to Keep a Small Poultry Flock (New Mexico State University) HTML
• Introduction to Pasture-Raised Poultry: Maximizing Foraging Behavior (University of Florida) PDF
• La Cría de Pollos y Gallinas en Menor Escala (University of California-Davis) PDF
• Management Guide for the Backyard Flock (University of Georgia) PDF / HTML
• Management of the Small Flock of Chickens (Kansas State University) PDF
• Match Your Need to the Right Breed: Choosing a Bird for the Home Flock (University of Maine) HTML
• Pasture Poultry Industry (Alberta Agriculture & Forestry) PDF / HTML
• Pastured Poultry (Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Development) PDF / HTML
• Poultry 101: A General Introduction to All Things Poultry (University of Kentucky) HTML
• Poultry for Small Farms (Journey to Forever) HTML
• Poultry Your Way: A Guide to Management Alternatives for the Upper Midwest (MDA/MISA/NC SARE) PDF / HTML
• Profitable Poultry Production (by M.G. Kains, 1910 - Journey to Forever) HTML
• Raising Chickens #1: Setting Up the Space (University of Minnesota Extension) HTML (Video)
• Raising Chickens #2: Moving Chicks Into the Space (University of Minnesota Extension) HTML (Video)
• Raising Chickens #3: Supplemental Heat (University of Minnesota Extension) HTML (Video)
• Raising Fowl and Small Animals in Urban Areas (Virginia Tech) PDF
• Raising Poultry on Pasture - Research Brief #57 (University of Wisconsin) PDF / HTML
• Resource Guide for Owners of Small Poultry Flocks (Kansas State University) PDF
• Resources for Small-Scale Poultry Keepers (University of Maine) HTML
• Small and Backyard Flocks (University of Kentucky) HTML
• Small Flock Management of Poultry (Mississippi State University) HTML
• Small Flock Series: Brooding and Growing Chicks (University of Missouri) PDF / HTML
• Small Flock Series: Managing a Family Chicken Flock (University of Missouri) PDF / HTML
• Small Poultry Flock (Michigan State University) PDF
• Small-Scale Agriculture Alternative: Poultry (Virginia Tech) PDF / HTML
• Small Scale Poultry Housing (Virginia Tech) PDF
• Starting and Managing Small Poultry Units (University of California-Davis) PDF
• Understanding Poultry Meat and Egg Production (Volunteers in Technical Assistance) HTML
• Webinars: Small & Backyard Flocks (links to recordings on eXtension site) HTML

Breeds of Poultry

• Chicken Breeds and the Colors of Their Eggs (Texas A&M University) PDF
• Choosing a Chicken Breed: Eggs, Meat or Exhibition (Purdue University) PDF
• Breed Selection - Ducks (University of Kentucky) HTML
• Match Your Need to the Right Breed: Chickens, Turkeys, Ducks and Geese (University of Maine) HTML
• Meat Chicken Breeds for Pastured Production (ATTRA) PDF
• Selecting Chickens for Home Use (University of California-Davis) PDF
• Standard Bred Poultry - Sources and Resources (University of California-Davis) HTML
• What Type of Turkey is Best for Small and Backyard Poultry Flocks? (eXtension) HTML
• Which Duck Breed is Best for Small and Backyard Poultry Flocks? (eXtension) HTML

Breeding & Genetics

• Breeder Flock Management (Food & Ag Organization of the United Nations) PDF / HTML
• Breeding Poultry (University of Kentucky) HTML
• Poultry Genetics for Pastured Production (ATTRA) PDF
• Poultry Genetics For Small and Backyard Flocks: An Introduction (eXtension) HTML
• Poultry Genetics for the Nonprofessional (Sellers Family of Brookings, SD) HTML
• Poultry Genetics: The Problems and Interesting Facts About Breeding Poultry (Utility Poultry, UK) HTML
• Reversion de Sexo en Pollos (University of Florida) PDF / HTML
• Selecting Your Best Turkeys for Breeding (American Livestock Breeds Conservancy) HTML
• Sex Reversal in Chickens (University of Florida) PDF / HTML
• Standard Bred Poultry Sources and Resources (University of California) PDF
• Which Bird Shall I Raise? Genetic Options for Pastured Poultry Producers: Meat-type Chickens and Turkeys (University of California) PDF

Broiler Production

• Brooding and Rearing the Home Meat Flock (University of Nebraska) HTML
• The Home Broiler Chicken Flock (University of Florida) PDF
• The Home Broiler Flock (Texas A&M) PDF
• Lighting Program for Small Roaster Flocks (Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Development) PDF / HTML
• Management Requirements for Meat Bird Flocks (Virginia Tech) PDF
• Meat Chicken Breeds for Pastured Production (ATTRA) PDF
• The Small Flock for Poultry Meat (University of Minnesota) HTML

Brooding

• Brooding and Rearing Baby Chicks (Oregon State University) PDF
• Brooding and Rearing Ducklings and Goslings (University of Missouri) HTML
• Brooding and Rearing the Home Meat Flock (University of Nebraska) HTML
• Brooding Chickens and Quail (Mississippi State University) PDF
• Brooding Temperatures for Small Poultry Flocks (Manitoba Agriculture and Food) PDF / HTML
• Métodos de Sexado en Pollitos de un Día de Edad (University of Florida) PDF / HTML

Ducks

• Backyard Flock Tip... Managing Ducks for Egg Production (University of Georgia Coop Ext) PDF
• Breed Selection - Ducks (University of Kentucky) HTML
• Brooding and Rearing Ducklings and Goslings (University of Missouri) HTML
• Duck Egg Production (Scottish Ag College) HTML
• Ducks for the Table (Scottish Ag College) HTML
• Duck Housing and Management (Cornell University) HTML
• Managing a Small Duck Flock (Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada) HTML
• Match Your Need to the Right Breed: Chickens, Turkeys, Ducks and Geese (University of Maine) HTML
• Raising Ducks (University of Minnesota Extension) HTML
• Raising Ducks in Small Flocks (University of California) PDF
• Which Duck Breed is Best for Small and Backyard Poultry Flocks? (eXtension) HTML

Egg Production

• Choice-Feeding of Small Laying Hen Flocks (Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Development) PDF / HTML
• Comparing Alternative Laying Hen Breeds - Greenbook 2008 (MDA / Sustainable Ag & IPM Program) PDF
• Culling Hens (Mississippi State University) PDF
• Egg Size and Your Small Flock of Laying Hens (Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Development) PDF / HTML
• Factors Affecting Egg Production in Backyard Chicken Flocks (University of Florida) PDF /HTML
• Factors that Influence Egg Production (American Egg Board) HTML
• Free-Range Egg Production (Teagasc, Ireland) PDF
• Getting Started in the Egg Business (University of California) PDF
• Home-Produced Chicken Eggs (Colorado State University) PDF / HTML
• Increasing Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Eggs from Small Chicken Flocks (Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development) HTML
• Light for Backyard Flocks (University of Maine) HTML
• Management Requirements for Laying Flocks (Virginia Tech) PDF
• Omega-3 Enriched Eggs (Flax Council of Canada) HMTL
• Prevention of Egg Eating (Virginia Tech) PDF
• Proper Handling of Eggs: From Hen to Consumption (Virginia Tech) PDF
• Raising Your Home Chicken Flock (University of Maryland) PDF
• Rearing Chicks and Pullets for the Small Laying Flock (University of Minnesota) HTML
• Safe Egg Handling for Small Egg Laying Flocks and Operations (University of Alaska-Fairbanks) PDF
• Safe Handling of Eggs from Small and Backyard Poultry Flocks (eXtension) HTML (60-minute webinar)
• Small Laying Flock (Texas A&M) PDF
• Small-Scale Egg Handling (ATTRA) PDF
• Small-Scale Egg Production - Organic and Non-Organic/Conventional (Pennsylvania State University) PDF
• Tips for Safe Home-Produced Eggs (University of Florida) PDF
• Why Have My Hens Stopped Laying? (Virginia Tech) PDF

Exhibiting

• Bantams (NCR Ext Publication #209) PDF
• Getting Started with Show Broilers (Texas A&M University) PDF
• How to Produce Broilers and Roasters for Show (Texas A&M University) PDF
• Nutrition and Feeding of Show Poultry (Texas A&M University) PDF
• Producing Turkeys for Show (Texas A&M University) PDF
• Raising Golden Pheasants (Game Bird Gazette) HTML
• Selecting and Preparing Birds for Exhibition (Mississippi State University) PDF

Geese

• Breeder Flock Management (Food & Ag Organization of the United Nations) PDF / HTML
• Brooding and Rearing Ducklings and Goslings (University of Missouri) HTML
• Brooding and Rearing the Home Goose Flock (University of Nebraska) HTML
• Free-Range Goose Production (Teagasc, Ireland) PDF
• Geese Raising (New South Wales Department of Agriculture, Australia) HTML
• Goose Production for the Table (Scottish Agricultural College) HTML
• Raising Geese (University of Minnesota Extension) HTML
• Raising Geese (University of California) PDF

Health

• Backyard or Urban Poultry Keeping Concerns (University of Minnesota) PDF
• Backyard Poultry: Implications for Public Health and Safety (University of Minnesota) PDF
• Common Poultry Diseases in Small Farm Flocks in Oklahoma (Oklahoma State University) PDF
• Diseases of Small Poultry Flocks (University of Minnesota) PDF
• Grow Healthy Chicks (Mississippi State University) HTML
• Guide to Raising Healthy Chickens (UW Extension) PDF
• Keep Your Flock Healthy (University of California) PDF
• Marek's Disease in Backyard Chicken Flocks (University of California-Davis) PDF
• Medical Management of the Rooster Spur (Ohio State University) PDF / HTML
• Preventing Avian Pox ((University of California) PDF
• Recognizing and Preventing Avian Pox in Small Flocks (University of Maryland) PDF
• Poultry Diseases and Medications for Small Flocks (University of Connecticut) HTML
• Small Flock Poultry Health: Disease Prevention and Good Management (British Columbia Ministry of Ag) PDF
• Vaccination of Small Poultry Flocks (University of Florida) PDF / HTML

Incubation & Hatching

• Avian Embryo (Mississippi State University) PDF
• Common Incubation Problems: Causes and Remedies (University of California) PDF
• Hatching and Brooding Small Numbers of Chicks (University of Minnesota) HTML
• Hatchery Management Guide for Game Bird and Small Poultry Flock Owners (Mississippi State University) PDF
• Incubating Eggs (Virginia Tech) PDF
• Incubating Eggs in Small Quantities (University of California) PDF
• Incubation and Embryology (University of Illinois) HTML
• Incubation for the Home Flock (University of Nebraska) HTML
• Trouble Shooting Failures with Egg Incubation (Mississippi State University) HTML

Marketing

• Alternative Financial/Organizational Structures of Farm and Agribusiness Firms (Purdue University) PDF
• Business Ownership (University of Idaho) PDF
• Considerations Before Starting a Small Food-Processing Business (Mississippi State University) HTML
• Current Regulations Affecting Sale of Poultry Products or Ready-to-Cook Poultry by Small Producers (Virginia Tech) HTML
• Developing and Implementing a Successful Marketing Plan (Purdue University) HTML
• Developing a Sensible and Successful Marketing Attitude (Purdue University) HTML
• Direct Sale of Poultry (University of Nebraska) HTML
• Exploring Value-Added Agriculture (Oregon State University) HTML
• Farmer's Market Food Safety (University of Nebraska) HTML
• Food Safety for Farmer's Market Vendors (University of Nebraska) HTML
• Identifying Domestic Markets: Indirect Marketing of Produce (University of Idaho) PDF
• Is Your Agribusiness Project Feasible? (University of Georgia) PDF
• Marketing of Products from Small and Backyard Poultry Flocks (University of Kentucky) HTML
• Preventing Bacterial Contamination, Medication and Other Chemical Residues in Poultry Meat and Eggs (University of Nebraska) HTML
• Raising and Marketing Pastured Turkeys (Nebraska Sustainable Ag Society) HTML
• Sale of Locally Home or Farm Raised Poultry (Minnesota Dept of Ag and University of Minnesota Extension) PDF / HTML
• Sale of Shell Eggs to Grocery Stores and Restaurants in Minnesota (Minnesota Department of Ag) HTML
• Sale of Meat and Poultry Products to Grocery Stores and Restaurants (Minnesota Department of Ag) HTML
• Selling Food Products: A Business From Your Home (NCR Publication #259) PDF
• Selling Meat and Meat Products (University of California) PDF
• Understanding Budgets and Budgeting Process (University of Idaho) PDF
• Understanding Farmers' Market Rules (Farmers' Legal Action Group) PDF
• Using the Claim "Certified Organic By ..." on Meat and Poultry Product Labeling (USDA-FSIS) HTML

Nutrition

• Basic Feeding Programs for Small Chicken Flocks (Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Development) HTML
• Feeding Chickens (University of California) PDF
• Poultry Nutrition for the Small Flock (Kansas State University) PDF
• Small Flock Nutrition (University of Maryland Extension) HTML
• Small Scale Poultry Keeping: Feeding (NSW Agriculture, Australia) PDF
• Toxicity to Poultry of Common Weed Seeds (University of Florida) PDF / HTML

Processing, Deboning, Cutting

• Barbecuing Chicken (Kansas State University) PDF
• Barbecuing Mississippi Broilers (Mississippi State University) HTML
• Broiler Chicken Deboning (Texas A&M) PDF
• Carving the Family Turkey (Texas A&M) PDF
• Chicken Cut-up: Commercial Style (Texas A&M) PDF
• Chicken Cut-up: Family Style (Texas A&M) PDF
• The Cut Up Chicken, Part I (University of Nebraska) HTML
• The Cut Up Chicken, Part II (University of Nebraska) HTML
• Directory of Custom Poultry Processors in Minnesota (University of Minnesota, Dept of Animal Science) PDF
• Homemade Meat, Poultry and Game Sausages (Washington State University) PDF
• Home Processing of Chickens (University of Nebraska) HTML
• Home Processing of Poultry (University of Minnesota) HTML
• Home Processing of Poultry (Oklahoma State University) PDF
• Procedures for Killing and Dressing Home Grown Fowl (University of Florida) PDF
• Processing Farm-Raised Poultry (Kansas State University) PDF

Turkey Production

• Chicks and Turkeys (Miller Hatcheries) HTML
• How to Grow Your Own Holiday Turkey (University of Alaska-Fairbanks) PDF
• Poults' Critical First Days (Miller Hatcheries) HTML
• Raising and Marketing Pastured Turkeys (Nebraska Sustainable Ag Society) HTML
• Raising Turkeys (University of New Hampshire) PDF
• Selecting Your Best Turkeys for Breeding (American Livestock Breeds Conservancy) HTML
• Small-Flock Turkey Production (Pennsylvania State University) HTML
• Small Turkey Flock Management (NCR Extension Publication #60) PDF
• Small Turkey Flock Management (UW Extension) PDF
• Turkey Rearing/Feed Program (Miller Hatcheries) HTML
• What Type of Turkey is Best for Small and Backyard Poultry Flocks? (eXtension) HTML

Miscellaneous

• Capons (University of Florida) PDF
• Capones (University of Florida) PDF / HTML
• Guinea Fowl (Scottish Agricultural College) HTML
• How to Raise Pheasants (University of Nebraska) HTML
• Ostrich Farming (Scottish Agricultural College) HTML
• Partridge Production (Pennsylvania State University) HTML
• Pheasant Production (Pennsylvania State University) HTML
• Quail (Scottish Agricultural College) HTML
• Raising and Propagating Japanese Quail (University of California) PDF
• Raising Chukar Partridges (University of California) PDF
• Raising Game Birds (University of California) PDF
• The Ratite Meat Industry (University of California) HTML