Raising Poultry and Fowl
Janet Pfromm
Agriculture Educator
CCE of Chenango County
Where to Begin
• Research
• Intern at an existing business
• Develop a Business Plan
Getting Started
• Buying chicks, poults, ducklings, and goslings
• Hatching your own eggs
Raising Your Birds
• Brooding
• First 2 weeks
• Moving to Coop or Pasture
• Housing
• Feeding
Brooding
• Free from drafts, heat lamp, cardboard boxes, litter, feeder, and waterer
Housing Requirements(at mature or market size)
Chicken Turkey Duck Goose
Living space
1.5-4 sq. ft. per bird
8 sq. ft. per bird
2 sq. ft. per bird
5 sq. ft. per bird
Feeder Space
4 in. per bird
6 in. per bird
3 in. per bird
5 in. per bird
Water Space
1-1.5 in. per bird
1.5 in. per bird
1-2 in. per bird
2-3 in. per bird
Pasture Size
500 broilers
1500 layers
250 birds/acre
30-40 birds/acre
30 birds/acre
Housing
FeedingLayers Meat
Chickens 16% lay ration (2 lbs/bird/week)
(2lbs/1lb of weight gain)
Turkeys 26% growing ration after 4 wks of age, decrease protein as
bird reaches market weight.
Ducks 16-20% layer ration
15-18% growing ration (dependent on grass avail)
Geese 15-18% growing ration (dependent on grass avail)
All young birds should be a fed starter mash designed for the species. All should have free access to water at all time.
Meat Vs. Eggs
• Birds raised for meat are bred and fed for fast growth.
Chickens (broilers): 4 lbs at 7-9 weeks
12-20 lbs at 12-20 weeks (roasters)
Turkeys: 40 lbs at 22 weeks (toms)
24 lbs at 20 weeks (hens)
Ducks: 5-7lbs at 8-9 weeks
Geese: 6-12lbs at 15-20 weeks
Meat Birds
Embden
Pekin
Large White
LeghornBlue Orpington
• Laying birds mature later than meat birds.
• Not all layers are created equal!
- Chickens will lay more than both ducks and geese
- Chicken: 18-20 dozen/year
- Duck: 12-16 dozen/year
- Geese: 6 dozen/year
- Breed differences among species
• Day length stimulates egg laying
- Use of artificial light
Egg Differences
Laying Birds
Khaki Campbell
Leghorn
Ancona
Signs of Nutritional Problems
• Crusty Beak• Eyes are Dull and Dry• Feathers Lack Brightness of
Color• Cracked Feet• Droopy Wings• Decrease in Egg Production• Poor Growth and Lack of
Vigor• Unexplained Death
Disease Problems
• Bio-security– Sanitation– Restricting Human Access
• Isolate new birds for one month• Dispose of any birds after death
Pullorum-Typhoid Testing: Must be done on poultry and waterfowl that are being shown at the county fair.
Characteristics: Gasping for air
Molting
• Natural Shedding and Renewal of Feathers• Usually Occurs with shorter day length
(Fall)– Signs of Molting will be a dullness in plumage
• During a Molt:– Egg Production will Decrease– Protein Needs will Increase
Organic and/or Pastured Poultry
• Organic– Pastures need to be certified as Organic in order
to label your product as “Organic”
– This can be an expensive process for only a few birds.
– “Farm Grown” “Farm Fresh” “Locally Grown”
Things to ConsiderOrganic and/or Pastured Poultry
• Nutrient Distribution on Land• Poultry can not survive on Grass, grains are
necessary for growth• Predators can be a concern• Escapees • Fencing
For more info:Contact NOFA NY
607.724.9851www.nofany.org
End Products
Questions???
Janet PfrommAgriculture Educator
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County
99 N. Broad St. Norwich, NY 13815
607-334-5841 - Extension 12 607-336-6961 [email protected]