Spring 2020 Poultry Management Series: Small Flocks for Beginners

A timely, research-based virtual classroom series to help small flock owners be successful

Amy Barkley, Livestock and Beginning Farm Specialist with the SWNY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program

SOUTHWEST, NEW YORK (April 16th, 2020) – Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program (SWNYDLFC) is committed to continuing to provide educational opportunities to farmers in our region as they work daily to provide safe and abundant food for consumers. Poultry can be a low-cost enterprise for farms, which provides fresh eggs and meat for families and communities. SWNYDLFC is excited to announce that Amy Barkley, the team’s Livestock and Beginning Farm Specialist, will be hosting a 4-part virtual classroom series focused on the management of small poultry flocks.

The series will begin on Thursday, April 30th from 6:00pm - 7:00pm, and will run over the following three Thursdays (May 7th, May 14th, and May 21st). The sessions will be an hour in length, which will include time for questions. Topics include the following:

Thursday, April 30th, 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Little Bitty Babies: Brooding for Lifetime Success

An overview of chick sourcing, setting up a functional brooder, and management considerations for young poultry

Thursday, May 7th, 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Poultry Rearing, Health, and Biosecurity: It’s all that it’s cracked up to be!

Information on poultry housing options, predator control, health considerations, and practical disease prevention

Thursday, May 14th, 6:00pm – 7:00pm

All About Those Eggs

An introduction to egg safety, handling, packaging, and regulations

Thursday, May 21st, 6:00pm – 7:00pm

From Drumsticks to Wings

An overview of poultry processing options, considerations, and regulations

Each class will run independently, allowing attendees the option of choosing to attend one class, or all four, based on their interests. The cost to attend each class will be $10. Classes will be held over the Zoom platform, with a call-in option available. Those who are using the call-in option may elect to receive a hard copy of the class notes.

To register, visit the SWNYDLFC website, at https://swnydlfc.cce.cornell.edu/events/php, or contact Amy Barkley (amb544@cornell.edu or 716-640-0844). Pre-registration is required by noon of the day before each class. A confirmation will be sent following registration, with lecture materials and information for accessing the virtual classroom sent the day before each class. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, please contact Amy to discuss registration options.

Whether you are an established farm looking to expand into producing meat or eggs, are a new farmer just getting started, or are thinking that poultry may be an enterprise for you, this workshop series will provide an overview of almost everything you need to know! We look forward to seeing you there!

Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program specialists are here to help provide research-based resources and support during this challenging time. Their team of four specialists include Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Farm Business Management (716-640-0522 or kaw249@cornell.edu); Joshua Putman, Field Crops (716-490-5572 or jap472@cornell.edu); Alycia Drwencke, Dairy Management (517-416-0386 or amd453@cornell.edu); and Amy Barkley, Livestock Management (716-640-0844 or amb544@cornell.edu). While specialists are working remotely at this time, they are still offering consultations via phone, text, email, videoconferencing, and mail. They are also providing weekly updates with timely resources and connections via email and hardcopy and virtual programming.

The Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program is the newest Cornell Cooperative Extension regional program and covers Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Steuben Counties. The Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops regional specialists work with Cornell faculty and Extension educators to address the issues that influence the agricultural industry in New York by offering educational programming and research based information to agricultural producers, growers, and agribusinesses in the Southwestern New York Region. Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. For more information about this program, or to be added to their contact list, contact Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Team Leader, at 716-640-0522, kaw249@cornell.edu, or visit their website swnydlfc.cornell.edu.

If you would like more information about this topic, please call Amy Barkley at 716-640-0844 or email amb544@cornell.edu. For more information about Cornell Cooperative Extension, contact your county’s Association Executive Director. Allegany County – Laura Hunsberger, lkh47@cornell.edu or 585-268-7644. Cattaraugus County – Dick Rivers, rer263@cornell.edu or 716-699-2377. Chautauqua County – Emily Reynolds, eck47@cornell.edu or 716-664-9502. Erie County – Diane Held, dbh24@cornell.edu or 716-652-5400. Steuben County – Tess McKinley, tsm223@cornell.edu, or 607-664-2301.

Last updated April 17, 2020