Backyard poultry rearing is increasing in popularity for a variety of factors. Egg prices being at an all-time high are one contributing factor. Beginning in early 2022, the United States began facing the largest bird flu outbreak in the nation’s history. The highly transmissible and fatal strain of avian influenza decimated chicken populations and subsequently decreased the amount of eggs available to consumers. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average retail cost of a dozen eggs reached $4.82. Other reasons arise from recent shifts in priorities as families seek to grow and raise some or even most of their food in efforts to become more sustainable.  A backyard poultry series addressing these trends was held in LaRue County on March 31, April 6 and April 20. Twelve to fifteen participants attended each of the three sessions.  

 The first session focused on a basic overview of backyard poultry, types of chicken breeds, sourcing chicks, incubation, embryology, other domestic fowl species and general care. During this session, numerous visual aids including a live pair of adult Light Brahma chickens supplemented the powerpoint presentation. At the conclusion of the 1.5 hour program, 42 fertile eggs were set in a KSU supplied incubator. The April 6 session focused on layers and egg care. A good deal of effort was spent discussing traditional white laying breeds with some time given to dual purpose breeds traditionally raised for both eggs and meat. The greatest interest lay in the discussion of recently developed hybrid sex link birds that are lighter in weight than traditional brown eggs layers, start laying the now niche brown eggs at 4 months of age and are more feed efficient than many heritage white egg laying breeds. Near the end of this second meeting, eggs set the week before were candled revealing developing embryos. The third session on April 20 included the group being welcomed by 36 chicks that had hatched just prior to the evening program. The balance of the time was dedicated to meat bird production. The majority of the time was spent comparing Cornish Rock hybrid meat birds, the industry standard, and red broiler meat birds. The latter are somewhat similar in appearance to certain dual purpose breeds, but they are meatier and grow somewhat faster. Other topics included discussion of a pen of three meat birds competition being launched at the LaRue County Fair. Photos too were shared of a recent meat bird processing day I was involved with at the local high school.

 Overall, the series was a resounding success.  Some participants had seldom engaged in extension programming prior to this series, while others were regular attendees.  There were even youth from the local livestock club that attended all three sessions. A similar two part series was held in Breckinridge County on May 24 and 25. It went further to include a nutrition component in the form of a cooking demonstration of KSU’s signature Kentucky Hot Brown Inspired Kale Frittata utilizing farm fresh eggs and chicken breast meat. Attendees qualified for six youth Livestock Club or adult County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) instruction credit hours. A July 8 full day workshop will allow participants to construct 64 square foot mobile poultry enclosures known as chicken tractors. Program objectives of both series include providing information and skills for stakeholders to increase household sustainable food production. Many can expand existing enterprises to include small-scale commercial production. Those looking to sell more than sixty dozen eggs per week or processed birds in the form of meat sales were made aware of mandates regarding licensing and slaughter facility requirements.