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.  Keeping these flocks has grown into a family affair, with both youth and adults involved in the care. 

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. The evaluation revealed respondents learned new information relevant to raising chickens, reported they would use information learned to raise chickens to produce eggs for their families and 45% reported they will sell eggs to others.

The success of this program led to the establishment of a 4-H Poultry Club in Oldham County which will meet on a monthly basis. In addition, quarterly poultry programs will be hosted to offer continued education to both youth and adults. The following are topics to be addressed construction of coop and fencing, effective coop cleaning, predator control, processing, poultry regulations and selling eggs.