Chickens can have the flu (avian influenza) and you don’t even know it. Until it’s too late. Chickens with a low path virus may not have many symptoms. If a high path virus is involved, you may find all your …
What should you do if your birds have the flu?
There is no treatment for bird flu (avian influenza). If you think your flock has the bird flu you must let your local extension agent know. Your agent will then inform the state veterinarian who will test your flock for …
How can you keep your flock from getting the flu?
The main way to prevent your flock from getting bird flu (avian influenza) or any disease is biosecurity (a fancy term for doing everything possible to keep disease away from your own flock and to keep from spreading …
National 4-H Poultry Judging Contest
Poultry judging can be fun, educational, and rewarding. And you can do it! Give it a try.
A poultry judging contest is divided into three divisions: production, market eggs, and market poultry. Here’s how judging works:
Production Division. Judges evaluate …
What is a ranch?
Cattle on ranch
(Image courtesy of USDA)
(Image courtesy of USDA)
A ranch is a place where livestock are raised. The most common type is a cattle ranch, where beef cattle are raised. We often think of a cowboy riding a horse rounding …
What is an orchard?
Washington navel oranges growing in Florida
(Image courtesy of USDA)
(Image courtesy of USDA)
An orchard is a type of farm where fruits and nuts are grown on trees and shrubs. Examples of orchard fruits are apples, pears, oranges, bananas, and cherries. Examples of …
Why is insect identification important?
Common urban pests compared to the size of a penney, from left to right: Male German cockroach, female German cockroach, female Surinam cockroach. Photo by Sarah Bernard
Being able to identify the insects you see around your home or garden …
Do you need a rooster for a hen to lay an egg?
A hen (female chicken) does not need the help of a rooster (male chicken) in order to lay an egg. She is quite capable of doing the job on her own. See how a hen makes an egg.
A rooster …
How to Handle Eggs Safely
If you purchase eggs from the store, there are things you can do to handle them safely.
- Your eggs should be kept in the egg carton you bought them in. Keeping the eggs in the carton protects the eggs and
What is a bug?
Fulgorid planthopper, Honduras. Photo by Sarah Bernard
What we commonly call bugs is actually an entire order of insects called Hemiptera. True bugs are different from other insects. Their mouthparts are specialized to suck plant juices, the blood of birds, …