Commercial Poultry | University of Maryland Extension

Updated: June 21, 2022

Protecting Your Flock's Health

'Protecting Your Flocks' Health in various languages and other biosecurity information

Updated: April 28, 2022

Tips to Keep Your Poultry Operation Running Smoothly During a Global Crisis

During a crisis, such as the global pandemic of the COVID-19 outbreak, many business can slow down or even close down when normal operations are not possible to maintain, even with workers working from home.

Updated: April 28, 2022

Manure as a Natural Resource: Alternative Management Opportunities (EB-420)

A new publication (EB-420) is available from University of Maryland Extension. Manure as a Natural Resource: Alternative Management Opportunities is written as an overview of some existing technologies. Many new ideas are proposed for the region, and understanding the science behind them is imperative to deciding which option you may want to follow. Manure, as a source of organic matter and plant nutrients, is an excellent conditioner for soils. It is a component of agronomic production, cycling nutrients between soils, plants and livestock. However, in areas where limited land is available for application, excess soil nutrients can lead to water quality issues. Local restrictions on manure application necessitate finding alternative uses. The simplest method is to transport manure to nutrient-deficient land. Manure can be composted into a higher-quality fertilizer or have the nutrients extracted and sold separately. Manure also has an energy value, and where feasible, anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, or gasification could be options.

Updated: April 28, 2022

USDA Takes Action to Ensure Continued Rapid Response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the United States

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is leading a growing response to a large outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). To date, the virus has been confirmed in 29 states, affecting more than 33 million domestic birds. APHIS is working closely with State animal health officials on joint incident responses in each of the affected states.

Updated: April 27, 2022

Chicken Growers Make Good Neighbors by Raising Chickens, Planting Buffers, and Saving Bees

On every chicken farm, there’s open ground between the chicken houses and the property line. Stand there, and you can look toward the chicken house, or turn around, and look to a road, a neighboring farm, or other people’s homes. Family farmers raising chickens have a decision to make: Should that space be covered by grass that needs to be mowed? Or is there a better option?

Updated: April 26, 2022

Understanding What an Easement by Necessity Is and When One Is Created

A court may grant an easement by necessity as a remedy when an owner splits a parcel into two properties, and one of those new properties becomes inaccessible. The idea is that the parties did not intend to create a property unfit for occupancy. A recent decision by the Court of Special Appeals affirming a Garrett County circuit court decision highlights how a court may handle this issue. The decision is in Gunfeld Coal Co. v. Carey.

Updated: April 7, 2022

Poultry Farm Electrical Safety

Poultry farmers work with many different types of electrical equipment daily. Harsh environments inside and outside the poultry house can affect the safety of electrical equipment and create hazards. Growers need to take steps to prevent electrical injury, including only using properly grounded equipment, keeping electrical panel free of dust and debris, and looking for problems with equipment and cords. This publication provides guidelines for poultry farmers to follow to avoid electrical hazards.

Poultry - Electric meter to test electric motor

Updated: March 11, 2022

Leg Health in Chickens (FS-1179)

In this fact sheet and in the associated series of infographics, we will examine a variety of illnesses which impact the leg health of poultry, including: Bacterial Chondronecrosis with Osteomyelitis (BCO), Bumblefoot Osteoporosis, Tibial Dyschondroplasia (TD), and Twisted Legs. Authors: Anna Magnaterra and Dr. Shawna Weimer. Title: Leg Health in Chickens (FS-1179).

Updated: March 3, 2022

A Guide for Poultry House Construction in Maryland

The construction process of new poultry houses can be lengthy and tedious. This fact sheet is a tool to help potential poultry growers complete all the requirements needed to construct poultry houses in Maryland. Please read this packet carefully.

Poultry New Construction in DE. G. Cartanza photo

Updated: March 1, 2022

UME Family Communications and Estate Planning Workshops

Estate planning for farms is a difficult subject to navigate - families must create a plan of succession for the business, understand the legalities of property inheritance, all while dealing with the emotional toll of having difficult conversations with their loved ones.