STARTING AND MANAGING SMALL POULTRY @ Division of Agricultural Sciences Larter UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 2656COOPERATIVE EXTENSION UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA “This information i provided thy Cooperate Extension an educational agency of the University of California and the United Stater Department of Agriculture Extension provides the people of California with the lest selentific information in agriculture and family consumer sciences. It also sponsors the 4-M Youth Program. CCooperctive Extension representatives, serving 56 counties in California, ae known as farm, home or ‘youth advisors. Their offices usually ae located in the county sat. They willbe happy &0 provide you ‘with information in ther fields of work The authors ore Rolph A. Ernst, Extension Poultry Speciolist Davis, W. Sturley Coutes, Form Advisor, Sonomo County, «md Roderick A. Shippey, Farm Advisor, Mendocino County. ABLE OF CONTENTS SELECTION OF STOCK 1 HOUSING 3 EQUIPMENT 5 BROODING CHICKS 8 PULLET PRODUCTION 9 MEAT PRODUCTION 10 FEEDING u CANNIBALISM n MANAGEMENT FOR EGG PRODUCTION 3 EGG CARE AND STORAGE “ DISEASE CONTROL 15 REPRODUCTION 1“ ar physical handicap in ony af itt progtant. ov aciviiens lag policy may te disscted tor AMfimative Action Oficet, Caopevative Eatonnion, 31? University Hs rive Extension work, Acts of Hoy 8 and June 39, 1914, in cooperan 1 Rights Act of 1964, Title 1X af the rivedSTARTING AND MANAGING SMALL POULTRY UNITS INTRODUCTION Inquiries from farmers ond home owners throughout the stote prompted the issue fof publication aimed at the small unit or home poultey raiser. In helping those interested in reising poultry for fun, or to supplement the family diet, this publication gives basic fonswers to such questions as what is the best breed to rcise; whet kind of housing ond equipment are needed; what is the required management; how to control diseases; and other information essential to the keeping of small flocks Additional information con be obtained from other publications mentioned in this text, and from your County Form Advisors office. * SELECTION OF STOCK rT The kind of stock to select depends on your ob- iectives in poultry keeping. Most small flocks ‘ore raised to provide o supply of fresh eggs, fun and education for the family, ond perhaps on ‘occasional chicken dinner. Some may desire a flock for production of fryers (3 10 4 pounds), or roasters (5 to 8 pounds). Small flocks ore also kept for exhibition ot fairs or poultry shows Each of these projects requires @ different kind of stock. Far more information, refer to Chickens for Home Use, Leoflet 2894. AGE TO BUY In starting ony poultry project, day-old baby chicks ore the most economical and safest choice. They should originote from eggs laid by Pullocum-typhoid’ clean stock ond may be ob tained from local hatcheries or other poultry supply businesses able straight-run, or sexed; femoles or males Keep in mind that Leghorntype moles ore & poor choice for meot production buy stock veceinoted for M Chicks ore usually ovail- 1 possible "s disease. ‘pullarum-typhoid—egg tonsmitted diseases. Con bbe pravented by blood testi ceding stock: *Morek's diseose—e vival diseose of chickens femal organs; death lorsez may exceed 30% by