Small Flock

Housing should provide protection from the elements, predators, injury, and theft. There are several different housing options to choose from that come in almost any shape and size.

Deciding on your goal for raising chickens is the first step in determining which breed is best for your farm. The most common reasons as to why people raise chickens include: egg production, meat production, raising birds for show, controlling insects around their property, and breed preservation.

Poultry are an excellent choice when starting a livestock project!

Younger birds, while very cute and comical to watch grow, require more attention to manage, with temperature being the number one concern. Temperatures must remain very warm until the chicks mature because they are unable to regulate their body temperature.

Owning a flock of chickens can be a rewarding and educational hobby as well as a source of fresh eggs. While more often a problem for small and backyard flocks, predators can cause damage and loss of birds on farms of all sizes (Table 1). This damage can range from an occasional bird loss to many birds nightly until the problem is fixed.

References for raising your own home chicken flock and suggested reading list to learn more.

Maryland regulations for registering and exhibiting poultry at fairs or other shows.

The quality of ready-to-cook chicken is only as good as the live bird. When choosing chickens to be processed; look for healthy, well-finished chickens. Consider the weight and age that are desirable for your particular need. It is also recommended to withhold feed for 9-12 hours before processing to limit fecal contamination from the gut.

State or federal inspection is not required if you are producing and processing less than 20,000 birds for meat annually and do not sell other than directly from the farm. You must register any poultry premises with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) as part of their avian influenza control efforts. There are no fees for registering your premises unless you have laying hens in excess of 3,000 birds.

It is important to consider several factors that relate to the quality and health of the flock once the type or breed has been chosen. Purchase stock only from reputable breeders or hatcheries. Stock purchased from magazine advertisements, especially bargain offers, can mean serious problems later. Stock should be purchased from Pullorum-Typhoid clean flocks under the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP).