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Home Flock Series

Search for Excellence in Livestock Production

Lauren Greene
Shelby

Team Members: Drake, S*1, Bowman, A*2, Rucker, P*3, Goforth, R*4, Ross, M*5, Asbill, J*6, Greene, L*7
  1. Extension Agent, Agriculture - Livestock and Forage Crops, North Carolina State University, Lexington, North Carolina, 27292
  2. Extension Agent, Livestock, Forages and 4-H Youth Development, North Carolina State University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27105
  3. Area Agent, Agriculture - Livestock, North Carolina State University, Mocksville, North Carolina, 27028
  4. Area Specialized Agent - Poultry, North Carolina State University, Lillington, North Carolina, 27546
  5. Area Specialized Agent - Poultry, North Carolina State University, Trenton, North Carolina, 28585
  6. Area Specialized Agent - Poultry, North Carolina State University, Asheboro, North Carolina, 27203
  7. Area Specialized Agent - Poultry, North Carolina State University, Wilkesboro, North Carolina, 28697

Abstract

When COVID-19 struck this spring, it caused many challenges, not only for N.C. Cooperative Extension, but also for our clientele. The gaps in the food supply chain and empty shelves caused panic in many consumers and led to an increase in the number of people wanting to raise their own backyard poultry flocks for meat, eggs, or both. Many of these individuals had never raised poultry before and needed guidance and instruction.

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To help address the needs of those individuals who wanted to raise their own backyard flock, agents held a five-week Home Flock Series online through Zoom. Topics addressed during the five part series included breeds, brooding, housing, nutrition, municipal codes, health and disease, processing including broilers and eggs, egg handling, and egg laws.

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With such interest in poultry programming, we wanted to capitalize on the momentum we had gained and decided to continue offering online programming during the pandemic.  Additional programming was offered through August of 2020, including Basics of Poultry Incubation; Selling, Handling, & Storage of Pasture Poultry Products; and Forages for Poultry Pastures. 

Years of CES Service: 0

Entry