Educational programs that strengthen agriculture production skills are a continued priority identified by the Oldham County Extension Council and Agriculture Council.  In Oldham County, sourcing and purchasing local foods is a continuing trend.  This has also spurred a growing number of people to seek information about raising their own food, and keeping poultry flocks is a very popular enterprise.  Oldham County poultry and egg sales have continued to increase over the last two decades, according to the U.S. Census of Agriculture.

The Oldham County Agriculture and 4-H Agents and the Shelby County Horticulture Assistant planned a two-part ‘Chickens 101’ program to meet the growing need for poultry production knowledge. The program was geared to both adults and youth interested in egg and meat chicken production.  

Presenters included the Shelby County Horticulture Assistant and a UK Extension Poultry Specialist. This March 2018 program featured both classroom presentations and live poultry demonstrations. Sixty-six adults and youth attended one or both sessions of Chickens 101. Participants learned about breed selection; chick care; housing; predator control; flock health; and nutrition. 

A post evaluation of the program was completed by 22 participants. This evaluation revealed that:

• 100% of respondents learned new information relevant to raising chickens
• Breed selection; appropriate feeds for chicks vs. layers; and health issues and treatments were the top areas of new learning
• 100% of respondents reported they would use information learned to raise chickens to produce eggs for their families
• 36% reported that new knowledge would help them raise meat chickens for their families
• 45% reported they will sell eggs to others
• 23% reported they will sell processed/finished meat chickens to others

As a continuation of poultry learning opportunities, Oldham County Extension is gauging interest for a 4-H Poultry Club. Based on evaluation response, future classes on selling eggs and meat chickens, plus other production-oriented topics are in demand and needed.