Small scale poultry processing by anne fanatico, ncat agriculture specialist this article is from the national center for appropriate technology ncat and looks at how a growing number of small producers are raising poultry outdoors on pasture, processing the birds onfarm, and selling the meat directly to customers at the farm or at a farmers market. Usserys model presents an entirely sustainable system that can be adapted and utilized in a variety of scales, and will prove. Poultry husbandry and care other areas of interest to small flock owners. Smallscale poultry keeping feeding greg poole former livestock officer poultry products nutrients fowls have a simple digestive tract like humans, and therefore eat similar food, such as cereals and meat. How to establish a smallscale, pastured poultry operation. Causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment of diseases and parasites in small flocks.
The smallscale poultry flock takes those articles and expands them into a reference guide that will suit anyone from the raw beginner to the advanced chicken keeper. The most comprehensive and definitive guide to date on raising allnatural poultry, for homesteaders or farmers seeking to close their loop. The smallscale poultry flock focuses on quality flock quality of life, quality of food produced and quality of the environment impacted by the flock. Smallscale poultry flock by harvey ussery the weston a. Smartbird is a poultry farm management online app for both the commercial poultry farmer and small scale backyard poultry keeper. An allnatural approach to growing chickens and other fowl for home and market growers. Starting and managing small poultry units university of california pdf. Typically, poultry offers a smallscale livestock enterprise without requiring large amount of capital, land, time or equipment. If you read and study this book, you will learn almost everything there is to know about chickens except why they cross the road unless i missed that.
Pastured poultry sustainable food and farming online. Regional differences in productions practices are also described. Successfully raising a small flock of laying chickens. Regional differences in production practices are described. Common heritage type breeds will lay 50 to 100 eggs a year. The smallscale poultry flock king county library system. The most comprehensive and definitive guide to date on raising allnatural poultry, for homesteaders or farmers seeking to close their loop, the smallscale poultry flock offers a. The smallscale poultry flock quality natural poultry care. The smallscale poultry flock offers a practical and integrative model for working with chickens and other domestic fowl, based entirely on natural systems. For additional information on the locations, dates, and times, for small flock workshops and.
Fencing also helps you better manage andor rotate areas where the flock grazes. Urban and backyard flocks owners can reduce the spread of diseases like avian influenza, salmonella or e. Commercial sexlinked hybrids will lay 240 to 280 eggs a year. They are a hardy yet docile bird, great for a small flock. Characterization of viral, bacterial, and parasitic causes. Based upon the authors decades of handson experience with many breeds and species, it covers all the basics about raising poultry, and fills some important gaps not usually covered well enough elsewhere, including chicken behavior, poultry breeding, raising chicks with broody hens. Small turkey flock management university of wisconsin pdf. Ussery has a keen awareness of fowl behaviors and an uncanny ability. Review of the smallscale poultry flock raising ducks. In addition to basic information on chicken care, you can learn about backyard breeding, raising chicks with a broody hen, innovative feeding techniques, and much more. If you suspect disease in your flock, consult with a veterinarian or the university of minnesotas veterinary diagnostics laboratory. The most comprehensive guide to date on raising allnatural poultry for the smallscale farmer, homesteader, and professional grower. Their food is composed of a number of nutrients that are essential to their health, maintenance and egg and feather production.
Feeding the smallscale flock and putting chickens to work one of my favorite sections is feeding the smallscale flock, in which ussery first explains the three natural food groups for chickens. Chickens in most small flocks live 8 years, but they can live up to 12 to 15 years. Readers will find information on growing and sourcing feed on a small scale, the most comprehensive guide to date on raising allnatural poultry for the smallscale farmer, homesteader, and professional grower. Since 1984, the leading book publisher covering organic farming, homesteading, integrative health, sustainable living, and more. Portable poultry fencing, also called poultry netting, is a reasonable investment. Careful planning and preparation prior your poultrys arrival will help ensure the establishment of a healthy flock for your familys enjoyment and food production. Track production, management and finances of your poultry farm. Most small scale producers use only a few 165 foot rolls of poultry netting and one battery charger to pasture an entire flock. Those building a new coop often ask for plans for the perfect chicken coop. An allnatural approach to raising chickens and other fowl for home and market growers.
Small flock management resources nc state extension. Readers will find information on growing and sourcing feed on a small scale, brooding and breeding at home, and using poultry as insect and weed managers in the garden and orchard. The smallscale poultry flock offers a practical and integrative model for working with chickens and other. Raising chickens on a small scale farm is easy, fun, and can be profitable. The smallscale poultry flock is about establishing a freerange poultry flock fully integrated into a healthy homestead ecosystem. The small scale poultry flock book premier1supplies.
All aspects of smallscale poultry production are discussed in this book including feeding and nutrition, housing, general husbandry and flock health. Managing a family chicken flock university of missouri pdf html small poultry flock michigan state university pdf small scale agriculture alternative. Backyard and small scale flocks typically consist of longcycle native breeds that are often housed in conditions of suboptimal biosecurity, resulting in a high incidence of infectious diseases. A recent study reported an average weekly mortality among. Based upon the authors decades of handson experience with many breeds and species, it covers all the basics about raising poultry, and fills some important gaps not usually covered well enough elsewhere. This technical guide promotes sustainable small scale, family based poultry production. An all natural approach to raising chickens and other fowl for home and market growers chelsea green 2011, modernday homesteader, harvey ussery has created an encyclopedic and engaging work that may well be the most important poultry book published in past 75 years or more. Clauer, poultry extension specialist, animal and poultry sciences small scale poultry coops seem to be built in almost every possible shape and size. The foreword to the smallscale poultry flock is written by joel salatin, which is always a good way to start a book. The smallscale poultry flock by harvey ussery chelsea. Practicing biosecurity and proper management can help keep birds healthy. Based upon the authors decades of handson experience with many breeds and species, it covers all the basics about raising poultry, and fills some important gaps not usually covered well enough elsewhere, including chicken behavior, poultry breeding, raising chicks with broody hens, managing freeranging, dealing with predators, using electric net fencing.
Smallscale poultry and food security in resourcepoor. An allnatural approach to raising chickens and other fowl for home and market growers paperback by ussery, harvey author, salatin, joel foreword price. Keep track of eggs collected, bird weight, feed, vaccinations and treatments, mortality, income and expenses and much more. Order the small scale poultry flock by harvey ursey at cackle hatchery complete guide to using poultry as an integrated part of a selfreliant farmstead javascript seems to be disabled in your browser. If you suspect disease in your flock, consult with a.