ASC-246: Properly Maintaining a Backyard Poultry Facility

Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | August 2, 2021 (New)

It is important that you properly maintain the poultry facility so that you do not attract rodents, flies, or create an odor problem. These are the three main reasons that non-poultry enthusiasts give for not wanting backyard flocks in their communities and neighborhood.

ASC-247: Broodiness in Chickens

Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | August 2, 2021 (New)

Broodiness is the term used to describe a hen that is preparing to naturally incubate eggs and raise newly hatched chicks. When broodiness occurs in a hen certain behavioral changes may be evident. These changes include increasing the time spent in the nest, being overly protective of the eggs and nest, changes in the consumption of feed and water, and the stopping of egg production.

4AJ-12PO: Kentucky 4-H Poultry Judging Contest: Market Poultry: Grading to Ready to Cook Parts

Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | August 2, 2021 (New)

The market poultry division now includes one class of ready-to-cook broiler carcasses to grade, one class of ready-to-cook roaster carcasses to grade, one class of parts identification, one class of parts grading, and one class of further processed boneless poultry products. Each class is worth 100 points, for a total of 500 possible points for the division. This factsheet looks at the new class of grading ready-to-cook parts.

4AJ-10PO: Kentucky 4-H Poultry Judging Contest: Market Poultry: Evaluating Further Processed Poultry Products

Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | July 14, 2021 (New)

Boneless further processed poultry meat products are common in retail markets as precooked, poultry meat patties, tenders, nuggets, or other boneless products. This factsheet will cover the evaluation of further processed poultry products.

4AJ-06PA: Kentucky 4-H Poultry Judging Contest: Grading Ready-to-Cook Poultry Carcasses

Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | July 14, 2021 (Major Revision)

In 2021, major revisions were made to the market poultry division of the 4-H poultry judging contest. The market poultry division now includes one class each of ready-to-cook broiler carcasses to grade, ready-to-cook roaster carcasses to grade, parts identification, parts grading, and further processed boneless poultry products.

4AJ-03PA: Kentucky 4-H Poultry Barbecue Contests

Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | March 9, 2020 (Minor Revision)

In the chicken barbecue contest, participants prepare four bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs provided by the contest monitors. The four thighs together will weigh 1.5-2.0 lb. They are judged on their cooking skills. The participants submit three of the thighs for sensory evaluation. No garnishes, dips, or additional items shall be presented on the plates and or submitted to the judges. In the turkey barbecue contest, each contestant will be provided two pounds of ground turkey. The turkey will not be available prior to the contest starting time. They need to prepare and cook turkey burgers. Each burger must be one-quarter pound of meat prior to cooking.

ASC-242: Composting Poultry Litter in Your Backyard

Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | May 2, 2019 (New)

Keeping laying hens in the backyard is popular, but along with a daily supply of eggs, the hens also produce a large supply of manure. Fresh poultry manure has an unpleasant odor and will attract flies. Bedding material, such as pine shavings, is put down on the coop floor to help control odors and flies, but eventually the litter (manure and bedding material) needs to be replaced. While poultry manure can be an excellent fertilizer, it should not be used fresh. "Raw" manure can burn plants and may contain pathogens that could contaminate any plants being grown for consumption. Composting makes the manure safe to use as a fertilizer on any lawn or garden. Composting involves a process by which billions of beneficial soil organisms decompose the organic material. Simply piling up waste is not really composting. With the right proportions for materials, the process has minimal offensive odor and destroys most of the pathogens in the manure. Compost is both science and art.

ASC-241: Urban Poultry

Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | December 4, 2018 (New)

The terms urban poultry and backyard poultry both refer to flocks kept on a residential lot. Keeping chickens in urban areas is becoming increasingly popular throughout the country. The main reasons given for keeping chickens are as pets and for egg production--pets with benefits. Small numbers of hens kept in the backyard can provide an urban family with entertainment, eggs, and fertilizer. For those with children, backyard poultry flocks can also teach them responsibility and be used for 4-H poultry projects.

ASC-236: Molting Small-Scale Commercial Egg Flocks in Kentucky

Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | February 27, 2018 (New)

Molting is a common event in the annual life cycle of most avian species. Each year chickens lose feathers and grow new ones, and this occurs in both wild and domestic birds. During molt, laying hens go out of egg production and feathers are replaced. Molting, regardless of what stimulates it, is more than just the replacement of the plumage. Hormonal and physiological changes occur as well.

ASC-230: Factors to Consider Before Starting a Small-scale Egg Production Enterprise in Kentucky

Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | January 25, 2018 (New)

There are several things to consider before starting an egg production operation. The most important is market availability. Before you start production you need to have a market that your production can supply, in terms of both quantity of product and the price you need to get in order to be profitable. You will need to make sure that local regulations allow for poultry production on the land available to you. Cash flow is also an important consideration. A flock will require a considerable investment before the hens start to lay eggs to produce an income. You also need to have a way to deal with the manure produced, and any dead birds. You also need to have a plan for the hens after they have finished laying (referred to as spent hens).