Author: Timothy McDermott

Backyard Poultry Certification Course

Interest in keeping backyard poultry has been increasing steadily with a huge jump in growth around the COVID pandemic and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak due to egg price increases and egg shortages.  We have also see a big jump in the number of 4H kiddos who want to keep chickens and turkeys for 4H livestock projects.  Many cities and municipalities require a certification before they allow you to keep backyard poultry.  Lots of people just want to learn more about this for their own family and personal food security.  Maybe this is the perfect holiday gift for that hard to buy family member.  Whatever your reason, we have you covered.

 

The course costs $25 dollars. (Super cheep!)  Click on the QR code or head to go.osu.edu/chicken

This self-paced course is expected to take 2-3 hours to complete and includes the following 6 modules:

  • Getting Started
  • Brooding, Basic Husbandry & Nutrition
  • Housing
  • Egg Production
  • Maximizing Health
  • Biosecurity

After completing this course, learners will be able to:

  • Identify rules and regulations relevant to raising backyard poultry in their state, city, or municipality
  • Source healthy birds to raise in their backyard
  • Apply concepts of basic husbandry, nutrition, and housing to successfully raise backyard poultry.
  • Explain how eggs are produced
  • Practice safe handling of birds and eggs
  • Recognize health-related abnormalities of poultry through physical examination
  • Describe the roles of of veterinary care and biosecurity in maximizing poultry health

There are NO refunds issued for this course.
If you have questions about the course, contact Tim McDermott at mcdermott.15@osu.edu for assistance.

Biosecurity for Backyard Poultry

Biosecurity is one of the most important tools in the toolbox of the poultry producer.  Learn some tips about keeping your flock safe in this short video collaboration with The Ohio Poultry Association.

It is also up on OSU Extension Facebook and Twitter.  Feel free to share with your audiences.

Update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza January 20th, 2022

Last week USDA APHIS issued updates that included multiple cases of High Path Avian Influenza in the Carolinas(waterfowl), which would put them on a path towards Ohio following the migratory waterfowl pathways.  Attached is a PDF technical report with a bunch of helpful links embedded to assist your clients who are hunters, backyard poultry keepers, or members of the 4-H community as they prepare for chick season.  Biosecurity will be critical to avoid an outbreak this season.

Click here to view, print, or download the PDF —> High Path Avian Influenza Update 01 19 22

Backyard Poultry Production Resources

There has been a resurgence of people who wish to raise their own food for personal and family food security, both with produce and with poultry.  I am increasingly getting asked about backyard poultry keeping so I wanted to put a resource together to assist you in getting the knowledge you need for safe, healthy and productive backyard poultry keeping.

FIRST THING:  Find out the regulations in your city or municipality that governs the keeping of backyard poultry and follow those rules carefully. 

 

I created a Backyard Poultry Keeper Online Certificate Course.  Super Cheep at $25 dollars.  This can be used if you have a city or county that requires a certificate.

To register for the course CLICK HERE.   You can also find it at  –>  go.osu.edu/chicken

 

We also have a number of Fact Sheets hosted on Ohioline to support poultry keeping:

 

If you need help finding a Veterinarian that sees poultry,  we have a list plus a map to assist you with that.

 

If you have questions regarding the keeping of poultry after watching the webinar then feel free to contact me at mcdermott.15@osu.edu

New APHIS/USDA Biosecurity for Backyard Poultry Website and Information

USDA/APHIS has increased the amount of materials for use for increasing outreach and awareness regarding Biosecurity for Backyard Poultry with the Defend The Flock program.

 

 

Materials that can be used for outreach and awareness include webinars, fact sheets and website links

CLICK HERE for a link to the DEFEND The FLOCK resource page

 

 

 

Chicken Breed Selection has been posted on Ohioline

CHICKEN BREED SELECTION

Sabrina Schirtzinger, Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Knox County
Tim McDermott, Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hocking County

There are various reasons people raise chickens: for eggs, meat, show and exhibition or simply to enjoy caring for and watching chicks grow. For some, raising chickens is a hobby while others see it as a sustainable part of living. This fact sheet will explore characteristics of chicken breeds to help select the right breed for you.

Click to read or print full factsheet