Small Flock Management
Poultry producers take pride in owning a well-managed, productive flock. However, most flocks suffer from management problems that prevent the birds from ever reaching their productive potential. The vast majority of problems encountered in the poultry house are not related to nutrition or disease, but from mismanagement by the poultryman.
The information contained in this section is designed to assist the poultry producer in avoiding management problems and preventing potentially serious problems in the flock. The emphasis in poultry production must always be placed upon the prevention of problems, rather than correcting them after they occur.
The discussions and publications that follow can be useful to both novice and experienced poultry producers for expanding their knowledge of poultry.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best breed of chickens to raise?
- How can I sex day-old chicks?
- How can I stop my hens from eating their eggs?
- Why did my laying hens stop laying eggs this winter?
- How do I properly care for my laying hens to get maximum egg production?
- How can I identify poor egg producing hens in my flock?
- My laying hens seem to lose their feathers in the late autumn months and often stop laying. What is wrong?
- How do I stop my chickens from pecking on each other?
- Why do my birds have an absence of feathers on parts of their bodies?
- What is best brooding temperatures?
- How do I treat chickens to rid them of mites, lice and ticks?
- When should hens be culled?
Other Information
- Breeds and Varieties of Chickens lists the breeds and varieties of all chicken, turkey, and waterfowl recognized by the American Poultry Association.
- Solutions for Poultry lists many solutions and remedies to treat problems in the poultry flock.
Publications
News
Backyard chicken flocks continue to grow in popularity as Mississippians embrace the ability to produce some of their own food and enjoy the quirky personalities of the birds.Tom Tabler, poultry specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said those considering starting a backyard flock need to make clear-headed plans before bringing home darling little chicks.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Each February marks the occasion for producers to share their research and programming needs with Mississippi State University agricultural specialists in person.
To comply with COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, the opportunity will be extended virtually this year.
RAYMOND, Miss. -- Despite multiple challenges in 2020, Mississippi’s poultry industry retained its first-place position among the state’s agricultural commodities. It topped the list with an estimated total production value of $2.16 billion.
That figure is down 16.1% from 2019. Final figures will be available in April.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will accept applications for assistance from agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19.Sign-up for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 -- CFAP 2 -- begins Sept. 21 and runs through Dec. 11, 2020. The program is open to producers of row crops, livestock, aquaculture, dairy and specialty crop commodities.
Poultry producers across the Southeast have plenty of experience cleaning up after storm damage to broiler and breeder houses, but they now have new guidelines for hurricane preparedness and recovery.
