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Priorities">Extension Program Priorities</a><ul><li class="menu-4003 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38246 first odd last"><a href="/about-extension/extension-program-priorities/program-and-staff-development" title="Program and Staff Development">Program and Staff Development</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-3054 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37039 even "><a href="/about-extension/research-and-extension-centers" title="Research and Extension Centers">Research and Extension Centers</a></li> <li class="menu-3617 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38037 odd last"><a href="/apprentice" title="Undergraduate Apprenticeship Program">Undergraduate Apprenticeship Program</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1495 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36652 odd "><a href="/agriculture" title="Agriculture">Agriculture</a><ul><li class="menu-1601 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36718 first odd "><a href="/agriculture/agricultural-economics" title="Agricultural Economics">Agricultural Economics</a></li> <li class="menu-2448 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36844 even "><a href="/agriculture/catfish" title="Catfish">Catfish</a><ul><li class="menu-3132 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37598 first odd "><a href="/agriculture/catfish/biology" title="Biology">Biology</a></li> <li class="menu-3138 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37604 even "><a href="/agriculture/catfish/catfish-marketing" title="Catfish Marketing">Catfish Marketing</a></li> <li class="menu-3133 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37599 odd "><a href="/agriculture/catfish/catfish-water-quality" title="Catfish Water Quality">Catfish Water Quality</a></li> <li class="menu-3135 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37601 even "><a href="/agriculture/catfish/diseases" title="Diseases">Diseases</a></li> <li class="menu-3136 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37602 odd "><a href="/agriculture/catfish/harvesting-loading-and-transport" title="Harvesting, Loading, and Transport">Harvesting, Loading, and Transport</a></li> <li class="menu-3134 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37600 even "><a href="/agriculture/catfish/nutrition-feeds-and-feeding" title="Nutrition, Feeds, and Feeding">Nutrition, Feeds, and Feeding</a></li> <li class="menu-3139 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-37605 odd "><a href="/agriculture/catfish/other-aquaculture-species" title="Other Aquaculture Species">Other Aquaculture Species</a><ul><li class="menu-3141 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37607 first odd "><a href="/catfish/other-aquaculture-species/alligators" title="Alligators">Alligators</a></li> <li class="menu-3142 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37608 even "><a href="/catfish/other-aquaculture-species/crawfish" title="Crawfish">Crawfish</a></li> <li class="menu-3140 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37606 odd "><a href="/catfish/other-aquaculture-species/freshwater-prawns" title="Freshwater Prawns">Freshwater Prawns</a></li> <li class="menu-3143 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37609 even last"><a href="/catfish/other-aquaculture-species/hybrid-striped-bass" title="Hybrid Striped Bass">Hybrid Striped Bass</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-3137 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37603 even "><a href="/agriculture/catfish/processing" title="Processing">Processing</a></li> <li class="menu-3131 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37597 odd last"><a href="/agriculture/catfish/production-phases-and-systems" title="Production Phases and Systems">Production Phases and Systems</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1551 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36683 odd "><a href="/agriculture/crops" title="Crops">Crops</a><ul><li class="menu-1556 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36688 first odd "><a href="/agriculture/crops/biofuels" title="Biofuels">Biofuels</a></li> <li class="menu-3093 menu-path-extensionmsstateedu-forestry-forest-management-christmas-trees even "><a href="http://extension.msstate.edu/forestry/forest-management/christmas-trees" title="">Christmas Trees</a></li> <li class="menu-1558 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36690 odd "><a href="/agriculture/crops/commercial-horticulture" title="Commercial Horticulture">Commercial Horticulture</a><ul><li class="menu-2727 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36855 first odd "><a href="/crops/commercial-horticulture/cole-crops" title="Cole Crops">Cole Crops</a></li> <li class="menu-2732 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36860 even "><a href="/crops/commercial-horticulture/commercial-fruit-and-nuts" title="Commercial Fruit and Nuts">Commercial Fruit and Nuts</a></li> <li class="menu-2728 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36856 odd "><a href="/crops/commercial-horticulture/green-industry" title="Green Industry">Green Industry</a></li> <li class="menu-2733 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36861 even "><a href="/crops/commercial-horticulture/greenhouse-tomatoes" title="Greenhouse Tomatoes">Greenhouse Tomatoes</a></li> <li class="menu-2729 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36857 odd "><a href="/crops/commercial-horticulture/greens" title="Greens">Greens</a></li> <li class="menu-2738 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36866 even "><a href="/crops/commercial-horticulture/nursery-safety-videos" title="Nursery Safety Videos">Nursery Safety Videos</a></li> <li class="menu-2730 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36858 odd "><a href="/crops/commercial-horticulture/organic-fruit-and-vegetables" title="Organic Fruit and Vegetables">Organic Fruit and Vegetables</a></li> <li class="menu-2731 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36859 even "><a href="/crops/commercial-horticulture/other-vegetables" title="Other Vegetables">Other Vegetables</a></li> <li class="menu-2735 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36863 odd "><a href="/crops/commercial-horticulture/peas-and-beans" title="Peas and Beans">Peas and Beans</a></li> <li class="menu-2734 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36862 even "><a href="/crops/commercial-horticulture/sweet-corn" title="Sweet Corn">Sweet Corn</a></li> <li class="menu-2726 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36854 odd "><a href="/crops/commercial-horticulture/tomato-pepper-and-eggplant" title="Tomato Pepper and Eggplant">Tomato Pepper and Eggplant</a></li> <li class="menu-2736 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36864 even last"><a href="/crops/commercial-horticulture/watermelon-cantaloupe-and-cucumber" title="Watermelon Cantaloupe and Cucumber">Watermelon Cantaloupe and Cucumber</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1559 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36691 even "><a href="/agriculture/crops/corn" title="Corn">Corn</a></li> <li class="menu-1560 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36692 odd "><a href="/agriculture/crops/cotton" title="Cotton">Cotton</a><ul><li class="menu-4063 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38668 first odd last"><a href="/crops/cotton/mississippi-boll-weevil-management-corporation" title="Mississippi Boll Weevil Management Corporation">Mississippi Boll Weevil Management Corporation</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1561 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36693 even "><a href="/agriculture/crops/fruit" title="Fruit">Fruit</a></li> <li class="menu-1562 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36694 odd "><a href="/agriculture/crops/grains" title="Grains">Grains</a></li> <li class="menu-1563 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36695 even "><a href="/agriculture/crops/insects-crop-pests" title="Insects-Crop Pests">Insects-Crop Pests</a></li> <li class="menu-4054 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38653 odd "><a href="/agriculture/crops/master-irrigator" title="Master Irrigator">Master Irrigator</a></li> <li class="menu-1564 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36696 even "><a href="/agriculture/crops/nuts" title="Nuts">Nuts</a></li> <li class="menu-2343 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36839 odd "><a href="/agriculture/crops/peanuts" title="Peanuts">Peanuts</a></li> <li class="menu-3871 menu-path-sextensionmsstateedu-lawn-and-garden-plant-diseases even "><a href="https://extension.msstate.edu/lawn-and-garden/plant-diseases" title="alias of plant diseases">Plant Diseases</a></li> <li class="menu-1567 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36699 odd "><a href="/agriculture/crops/pumpkins" title="Pumpkins">Pumpkins</a></li> <li class="menu-1568 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36700 even "><a href="/agriculture/crops/rice" title="Rice">Rice</a></li> <li class="menu-1569 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36701 odd "><a href="/agriculture/crops/soybeans" title="Soybeans">Soybeans</a></li> <li class="menu-1570 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36702 even "><a href="/agriculture/crops/sweet-potatoes" title="Sweet Potatoes">Sweet Potatoes</a></li> <li class="menu-2895 menu-path-extensionmsstateedu-lawn-and-garden-turfgrass-and-lawn-management odd "><a href="http://extension.msstate.edu/lawn-and-garden/turfgrass-and-lawn-management" title="">Turf</a></li> <li class="menu-1571 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36703 even "><a href="/agriculture/crops/watermelons" title="Watermelons">Watermelons</a></li> <li class="menu-1572 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36704 odd "><a href="/agriculture/crops/weed-control-for-crops" title="Weed Control for Crops">Weed Control for Crops</a></li> <li class="menu-1573 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36705 even last"><a href="/agriculture/crops/wheat" title="Wheat">Wheat</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1552 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36684 even "><a href="/agriculture/farming" title="Farming">Farming</a><ul><li class="menu-1599 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36716 first odd "><a href="/agriculture/farming/agri-business" title="Agri-business">Agri-business</a></li> <li class="menu-1600 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36717 even "><a href="/agriculture/farming/agri-tourism" title="Agri-tourism">Agri-tourism</a><ul><li class="menu-3789 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38096 first odd last"><a href="/farming/agri-tourism/growing-your-brand" title="Growing Your Brand">Growing Your Brand</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1602 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36719 odd "><a href="/agriculture/farming/agricultural-engineering" title="Agricultural Engineering">Agricultural Engineering</a></li> <li class="menu-1603 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36720 even "><a href="/agriculture/farming/biotechnology" title="Biotechnology">Biotechnology</a></li> <li class="menu-3566 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37936 odd "><a href="/agriculture/farming/farmtastic" title="FARMtastic">FARMtastic</a></li> <li class="menu-1604 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36721 even "><a href="/agriculture/farming/farm-safety" title="Farm Safety">Farm Safety</a></li> <li class="menu-1605 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36722 odd "><a href="/agriculture/farming/irrigation" title="Irrigation">Irrigation</a></li> <li class="menu-1606 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36723 even "><a href="/agriculture/farming/remote-sensing-technology" title="Remote Sensing Technology">Remote Sensing Technology</a></li> <li class="menu-1758 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36811 odd last"><a href="/agriculture/farming/women-for-agriculture" title="Women for Agriculture">Women for Agriculture</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-3255 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-37626 odd "><a href="/agriculture/field-scale-crop-assessment-drones" title="Field Scale Crop Assessment with Drones">Field Scale Crop Assessment with Drones</a><ul><li class="menu-4058 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38660 first odd "><a href="/agriculture/field-scale-crop-assessment-drones/spray-drones" title="Spray Drones">Spray Drones</a></li> <li class="menu-4016 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38261 even "><a href="/agriculture/field-scale-crop-assessment-drones/pre-planting" title="Pre-Planting">Pre-Planting</a></li> <li class="menu-4015 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38260 odd "><a href="/agriculture/field-scale-crop-assessment-drones/planting" title="Planting">Planting</a></li> <li class="menu-4017 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38262 even "><a href="/agriculture/field-scale-crop-assessment-drones/crop-growth-stages" title="Crop Growth Stages">Crop Growth Stages</a></li> <li class="menu-4018 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38263 odd "><a href="/agriculture/field-scale-crop-assessment-drones/end-growing-season" title="End of Growing Season">End of Growing Season</a></li> <li class="menu-3256 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37627 even "><a href="/agriculture/field-scale-crop-assessment-drones/safety-and-regulations" title="Safety and Regulations">Safety and Regulations</a></li> <li class="menu-3258 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37629 odd "><a href="/agriculture/field-scale-crop-assessment-drones/sciences-remote-sensing" title="Sciences of Remote Sensing">Sciences of Remote Sensing</a></li> <li class="menu-3257 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37628 even last"><a href="/agriculture/field-scale-crop-assessment-drones/types-uas" title="Types of UAS">Types of UAS</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1553 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36685 even "><a href="/agriculture/forages" title="Forages">Forages</a><ul><li class="menu-2937 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36908 first odd "><a href="/agriculture/forages/fertilizers-forages" title="Fertilizers - Forages">Fertilizers - Forages</a></li> <li class="menu-2935 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36906 even "><a href="/agriculture/forages/grasses" title="Grasses">Grasses</a></li> <li class="menu-1608 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36725 odd "><a href="/agriculture/forages/insects-forage-pests" title="Insects-Forage Pests">Insects-Forage Pests</a></li> <li class="menu-2914 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36884 even "><a href="/agriculture/forages/legumes" title="Legumes">Legumes</a></li> <li class="menu-2915 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36885 odd "><a href="/agriculture/forages/management-forages" title="Management - Forages">Management - Forages</a></li> <li class="menu-1609 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36726 even last"><a href="/agriculture/forages/weed-control-for-forages" title="Weed Control for Forages">Weed Control for Forages</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1554 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36686 odd "><a href="/agriculture/livestock" title="Livestock">Livestock</a><ul><li class="menu-2246 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36831 first odd "><a href="/agriculture/livestock/animal-health" title="Animal Health">Animal Health</a></li> <li class="menu-1591 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36708 even "><a href="/agriculture/livestock/beef" title="Beef">Beef</a><ul><li class="menu-3116 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37594 first odd "><a href="/livestock/beef/beef-calendar" title="Beef Calendar">Beef Calendar</a></li> <li class="menu-3117 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37595 even "><a href="/livestock/beef/beef-publications" title="Beef Publications">Beef Publications</a></li> <li class="menu-3118 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37596 odd last"><a href="/livestock/beef/cattle-business-mississippi-articles" title="Cattle Business in Mississippi Articles">Cattle Business in Mississippi Articles</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1592 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36709 odd "><a href="/agriculture/livestock/beekeeping" title="Beekeeping">Beekeeping</a><ul><li class="menu-4044 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38634 first odd last"><a href="/livestock/beekeeping/apiculture-honey-bee-health" title="Apiculture: Honey Bee Health">Apiculture: Honey Bee Health</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1595 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36712 even "><a href="/dairy" title="Dairy">Dairy</a></li> <li class="menu-1596 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36713 odd "><a href="/agriculture/livestock/equine" title="Equine">Equine</a></li> <li class="menu-1668 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36795 even "><a href="/agriculture/livestock/goats-and-sheep" title="Goats and Sheep">Goats and Sheep</a></li> <li class="menu-1597 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36714 odd "><a href="/agriculture/livestock/poultry" title="Poultry">Poultry</a><ul><li class="menu-3043 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37037 first odd last"><a href="/avian-flu" title="Avian Flu">Avian Flu</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-2517 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36848 even "><a href="/agriculture/livestock/small-animals" title="Small Animals">Small Animals</a></li> <li class="menu-1598 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36715 odd last"><a href="/agriculture/livestock/swine" title="Swine">Swine</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-3860 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-38129 even "><a href="/agriculture/local-flavor" title="Local Flavor">Local Flavor</a><ul><li class="menu-3864 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38135 first odd "><a href="/agriculture/local-flavor/culinary-tourism" title="Culinary Tourism">Culinary Tourism</a></li> <li class="menu-2737 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36865 even "><a href="/agriculture/local-flavor/farmers-markets" title="Farmers Markets">Farmers Markets</a></li> <li class="menu-3865 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38136 odd "><a href="/agriculture/local-flavor/local-food-system-economies" title="Local Food System Economies">Local Food System Economies</a></li> <li class="menu-3863 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38134 even "><a href="/agriculture/local-flavor/marketing-and-business-planning" title="Marketing and Business Planning">Marketing and Business Planning</a></li> <li class="menu-3862 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38133 odd last"><a href="/agriculture/local-flavor/specialty-crop-production" title="Specialty Crop Production">Specialty Crop Production</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1566 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36698 odd "><a href="/agriculture/pesticide-applicator-certification" title="Pesticide Applicator Certification">Pesticide Applicator Certification</a></li> <li class="menu-2248 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36833 even "><a href="/agriculture/soils" title="Soils">Soils</a><ul><li class="menu-4009 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38251 first odd "><a href="/agriculture/soils/mississippi-land-resource-areas" title="Mississippi Land Resource Areas">Mississippi Land Resource Areas</a></li> <li class="menu-4011 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38253 even "><a href="/agriculture/soils/soil-acidity" title="Soil Acidity">Soil Acidity</a></li> <li class="menu-4010 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38252 odd "><a href="/agriculture/soils/soil-fertility" title="Soil Fertility">Soil Fertility</a></li> <li class="menu-3587 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38024 even "><a href="/agriculture/soils/soil-health" title="Soil Health">Soil Health</a></li> <li class="menu-1621 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36738 odd last"><a href="/agriculture/soils/soil-testing" title="Soil Testing">Soil Testing</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-3590 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-38026 odd last"><a href="/tcalp" title="Thad Cochran Agricultural Leadership Program TCALP">Thad Cochran Agricultural Leadership Program TCALP</a><ul><li class="menu-3591 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38027 first odd "><a href="/agriculture/thad-cochran-agricultural-leadership-program-tcalp/about-tcalp" title="About TCALP">About TCALP</a></li> <li class="menu-3596 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38032 even "><a href="/agriculture/thad-cochran-agricultural-leadership-program-tcalp/advisory-council" title="Advisory Council">Advisory Council</a></li> <li class="menu-3598 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38034 odd "><a href="/agriculture/thad-cochran-agricultural-leadership-program-tcalp/contact-tcalp" title="Contact TCALP">Contact TCALP</a></li> <li class="menu-3592 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38028 even "><a href="/agriculture/thad-cochran-agricultural-leadership-program-tcalp/current-class" title="Current Class">Current Class</a></li> <li class="menu-3597 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38033 odd "><a href="/agriculture/thad-cochran-agricultural-leadership-program-tcalp/investors" title="Investors">Investors</a></li> <li class="menu-3957 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38183 even last"><a href="/agriculture/thad-cochran-agricultural-leadership-program-tcalp/tcalp-frequently-asked-questions" title="TCALP Frequently Asked Questions">TCALP Frequently Asked Questions</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1496 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36653 even "><a href="/community" title="Community">Community</a><ul><li class="menu-3987 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38240 first odd "><a href="/community/2020-census" title="2020 Census">2020 Census</a></li> <li class="menu-1625 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36742 even "><a href="/community/city-and-county-government" title="City and County Government">City and County Government</a><ul><li class="menu-3934 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-38160 first odd "><a href="/community/city-and-county-government/mississippi-county-elections-election-prep-101" title="Mississippi County Elections: Election Prep 101">Mississippi County Elections: Election Prep 101</a><ul><li class="menu-3943 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38169 first odd "><a href="/city-and-county-government/mississippi-county-elections-election-prep-101/county-elected-office" title="County Elected Office">County Elected Office</a></li> <li class="menu-3937 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38163 even "><a href="/decision-run" title="Decision to Run">Decision to Run</a></li> <li class="menu-3938 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38164 odd "><a href="/qualifying" title="Qualifying">Qualifying</a></li> <li class="menu-3939 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38165 even "><a href="/campaign-finance" title="Campaign Finance">Campaign Finance</a></li> <li class="menu-3940 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38166 odd "><a href="/city-and-county-government/mississippi-county-elections-election-prep-101/ethics" title="Ethics">Ethics</a></li> <li class="menu-3941 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38167 even "><a href="/voter-and-election" title="Voter and Election Information">Voter and Election Information</a></li> <li class="menu-3942 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38168 odd last"><a href="/contacts-resources" title="Contacts & Resources">Contacts & Resources</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-3961 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38195 even last"><a href="/community/city-and-county-government/oil-and-gas" title="Oil and Gas">Oil and Gas</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1627 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36744 odd "><a href="/community/disaster-preparedness" title="Disaster Preparedness">Disaster Preparedness</a><ul><li class="menu-3968 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38213 first odd last"><a href="/community/disaster-preparedness/cert" title="CERT">CERT</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1628 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36745 even "><a href="/community/disaster-response" title="Disaster Response">Disaster Response</a></li> <li class="menu-1629 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36746 odd "><a href="/community/economic-development" title="Economic Development">Economic Development</a></li> <li class="menu-3158 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37615 even "><a href="/community/extension-center-for-economic-education-and-financial-literacy" title="Extension Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy">Extension Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy</a></li> <li class="menu-1626 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36743 odd "><a href="/community/leadership" title="Leadership">Leadership</a><ul><li class="menu-2949 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36920 first odd "><a href="/jmwv" title="Junior Master Wellness Volunteer">Junior Master Wellness Volunteer</a></li> <li class="menu-2348 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36840 even "><a href="/community/leadership/master-gardener" title="Master Gardener">Master Gardener</a></li> <li class="menu-2911 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36878 odd "><a href="/community/leadership/mississippi-4-h-volunteer-leaders-association-mvla" title="Mississippi 4-H Volunteer Leaders' Association - MVLA">Mississippi 4-H Volunteer Leaders' Association - MVLA</a></li> <li class="menu-1663 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36790 even last"><a href="/community/leadership/mississippi-homemaker-volunteers" title="Mississippi Homemaker Volunteers">Mississippi Homemaker Volunteers</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-2933 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36904 even "><a href="/water" title="Public Water System Assistance Program">Public Water System Assistance Program</a></li> <li class="menu-1630 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36747 odd "><a href="/community/rural-development" title="Rural Development">Rural Development</a></li> <li class="menu-3790 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38097 even "><a href="/community/small-business" title="Small Business">Small Business</a></li> <li class="menu-2245 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36830 odd last"><a href="/community/technology" title="Technology">Technology</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1498 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36659 odd "><a href="/family" title="Family">Family</a><ul><li class="menu-1653 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36769 first odd "><a href="/family/children-and-parenting" title="Children and Parenting">Children and Parenting</a><ul><li class="menu-3985 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38236 first odd "><a href="/family/children-and-parenting/msu-extension-head-start" title="MSU Extension Head Start">MSU Extension Head Start</a></li> <li class="menu-4059 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38665 even "><a href="/family/children-and-parenting/nurturing-homes-initiative" title="Nurturing Homes Initiative">Nurturing Homes Initiative</a></li> <li class="menu-4062 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38667 odd last"><a href="/family/children-and-parenting/mississippi-lift-resource-and-referral-network" title="Mississippi LIFT Resource and Referral Network">Mississippi LIFT Resource and Referral Network</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-3103 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37587 even "><a href="/family/equine-assisted-therapy-programs" title="Equine Assisted Therapy Programs">Equine Assisted Therapy Programs</a></li> <li class="menu-1654 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36770 odd "><a href="/family/family-dynamics" title="Family Dynamics">Family Dynamics</a></li> <li class="menu-1656 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36772 even "><a href="/family/family-financial-management" title="Family Financial Management">Family Financial Management</a><ul><li class="menu-2934 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36905 first odd "><a href="/family/family-financial-management/basic-money-management" title="Basic Money Management">Basic Money Management</a></li> <li class="menu-2938 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36912 even "><a href="/family/family-financial-management/credit" title="Credit">Credit</a></li> <li class="menu-2940 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36914 odd "><a href="/family/family-financial-management/disaster-relief" title="Disaster Relief">Disaster Relief</a></li> <li class="menu-2941 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36915 even "><a href="/family/family-financial-management/estate-and-financial-planning" title="Estate and Financial Planning">Estate and Financial Planning</a></li> <li class="menu-2942 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36916 odd "><a href="/family/family-financial-management/fraud-and-identity-theft" title="Fraud and Identity Theft">Fraud and Identity Theft</a></li> <li class="menu-2943 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36917 even "><a href="/family/family-financial-management/housing-and-homebuyer" title="Housing and Homebuyer">Housing and Homebuyer</a></li> <li class="menu-2944 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36918 odd "><a href="/family/family-financial-management/volunteer-money-mentors" title="Volunteer Money Mentors">Volunteer Money Mentors</a></li> <li class="menu-2945 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36919 even last"><a href="/family/family-financial-management/youth-financial-literacy" title="Youth Financial Literacy">Youth Financial Literacy</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-3567 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-37937 odd "><a href="/hhi" title="Healthy Homes Initiative">Healthy Homes Initiative</a><ul><li class="menu-3806 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38106 first odd last"><a href="/family/healthy-homes-initiative/creating-healthy-indoor-childcare-environments" title="Creating Healthy Indoor Childcare Environments">Creating Healthy Indoor Childcare Environments</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-2247 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36832 even last"><a href="/family/pets" title="Pets">Pets</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1499 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36660 even "><a href="/food-and-health" title="Food and Health">Food and Health</a><ul><li class="menu-1614 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36731 first odd "><a href="/food-and-health/food" title="Food">Food</a></li> <li class="menu-1611 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36728 even "><a href="/food-and-health/food-safety" title="Food Safety">Food Safety</a><ul><li class="menu-4048 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38642 first odd "><a href="/food-and-health/food-safety/produce-safety" title="Produce Safety">Produce Safety</a></li> <li class="menu-2898 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36874 even "><a href="/food-and-health/food-safety/servsafe" title="ServSafe">ServSafe</a></li> <li class="menu-2903 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36876 odd last"><a href="/food-and-health/food-safety/tummysafe" title="TummySafe">TummySafe</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1665 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36792 odd "><a href="/health" title="Health">Health</a><ul><li class="menu-3958 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38190 first odd "><a href="/food-and-health/health/aim-for-change" title="AIM for CHangE">AIM for CHangE</a></li> <li class="menu-3686 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38045 even "><a href="/dak" title="Colon Cancer Screening">Colon Cancer Screening</a></li> <li class="menu-3983 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-38232 odd "><a href="/food-and-health/health/coronavirus" title="Coronavirus">Coronavirus</a><ul><li class="menu-4012 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38254 first odd last"><a href="/health/coronavirus/be-hero" title="Be A Hero!">Be A Hero!</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-3956 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38182 even "><a href="/food-and-health/health/dining-diabetes" title="Dining with Diabetes">Dining with Diabetes</a></li> <li class="menu-4052 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38651 odd "><a href="/food-and-health/health/growing-well" title="Growing Well">Growing Well</a></li> <li class="menu-4013 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38255 even "><a href="/food-and-health/health/nutrition-and-wellness" title="Nutrition and Wellness">Nutrition and Wellness</a></li> <li class="menu-3953 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-38176 odd last"><a href="/the-promise-initiative" title="The PROMISE Initiative">The PROMISE Initiative</a><ul><li class="menu-3969 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38215 first odd "><a href="/health/the-promise-initiative/prescription-opioid-misuse" title="Prescription Opioid Misuse">Prescription Opioid Misuse</a></li> <li class="menu-3971 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38217 even last"><a href="/health/the-promise-initiative/farm-stress" title="Farm Stress">Farm Stress</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1610 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36727 even "><a href="/food-and-health/nutrition" title="Nutrition">Nutrition</a></li> <li class="menu-1613 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36730 odd last"><a href="/food-and-health/rural-health" title="Rural Health">Rural Health</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-2249 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36834 odd "><a href="/insects" title="Insects">Insects</a><ul><li class="menu-2906 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36695 first odd "><a href="/agriculture/crops/insects-crop-pests" title="">Crop Pests</a></li> <li class="menu-2259 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36835 even "><a href="/insects/fire-ants" title="Fire Ants">Fire Ants</a></li> <li class="menu-2907 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36725 odd "><a href="/agriculture/forages/insects-forage-pests" title="Alias to Insects-Forage Pests">Forage Pests</a></li> <li class="menu-2973 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36936 even "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/insects-home-lawns" title="">Home Lawns</a></li> <li class="menu-3003 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36947 odd "><a href="/insects/household-insects" title="Household Insects">Household Insects</a></li> <li class="menu-2909 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36732 even "><a href="/food-and-health/insects-human-pests" title="alias to Insects-Human Pests">Human Pests</a></li> <li class="menu-3006 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36950 odd "><a href="/insects/insect-identification" title="Insect Identification">Insect Identification</a></li> <li class="menu-3000 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36945 even "><a href="/insects/insects-vegetable-gardens" title="Insects Vegetable Gardens">Insects Vegetable Gardens</a></li> <li class="menu-2974 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36935 odd "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/ornamental-plants" title="alias to Insects-Ornamental Plants">Ornamental Plants</a></li> <li class="menu-2910 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36773 even "><a href="/food-and-health/insects-pet-pests" title="alias to Insects-Pet Pests">Pet Pests</a></li> <li class="menu-3687 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38046 odd last"><a href="/termites" title="Termites">Termites</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1500 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36655 even "><a href="/lawn-and-garden" title="Lawn and Garden">Lawn and Garden</a><ul><li class="menu-1620 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36737 first odd "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/cut-flowers-and-houseplants" title="Cut Flowers and Houseplants">Cut Flowers and Houseplants</a></li> <li class="menu-3887 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38153 even "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/floral-design" title="Floral Design">Floral Design</a></li> <li class="menu-1617 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36734 odd "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/flower-gardens" title="Flower Gardens">Flower Gardens</a></li> <li class="menu-2342 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36838 even "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/gardening-through-the-seasons-video" title="Gardening Through the Seasons Video">Gardening Through the Seasons Video</a></li> <li class="menu-1666 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36793 odd "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/herb-gardens" title="Herb Gardens">Herb Gardens</a></li> <li class="menu-2971 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36936 even "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/insects-home-lawns" title="Insects-Home Lawns">Insects-Home Lawns</a></li> <li class="menu-2970 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36935 odd "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/ornamental-plants" title="Ornamental Plants">Insects-Ornamental Plants</a></li> <li class="menu-1616 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36733 even "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/landscape-architecture" title="Landscape Architecture">Landscape Architecture</a><ul><li class="menu-2955 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36923 first odd "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/landscape-architecture/landscape-design-and-management" title="Landscape Design and Management">Landscape Design and Management</a><ul><li class="menu-2962 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36929 first odd "><a href="/landscape-architecture/landscape-design-and-management/healthy-soils-and-water" title="Healthy Soils and Water">Healthy Soils and Water</a></li> <li class="menu-2961 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36928 even "><a href="/landscape-architecture/landscape-design-and-management/landscape-management" title="Landscape Management">Landscape Management</a></li> <li class="menu-2960 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36927 odd "><a href="/landscape-architecture/landscape-design-and-management/landscape-and-garden-design" title="Landscape and Garden Design">Landscape and Garden Design</a></li> <li class="menu-2963 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36930 even last"><a href="/landscape-architecture/landscape-design-and-management/plants-and-wildlife" title="Plants and Wildlife">Plants and Wildlife</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-2958 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36926 even "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/landscape-architecture/landscape-resources" title="Landscape Resources">Landscape Resources</a></li> <li class="menu-2956 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36924 odd "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/landscape-architecture/mississippi-landscape-gallery" title="Mississippi Landscape Gallery">Mississippi Landscape Gallery</a></li> <li class="menu-2957 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36925 even "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/landscape-architecture/professionals-corner" title="Professionals Corner">Professionals Corner</a></li> <li class="menu-3837 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-38124 odd last"><a href="/smartlandscapes" title="Smart Landscapes">Smart Landscapes</a><ul><li class="menu-3866 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38137 first odd "><a href="/landscape-architecture/smart-landscapes/diversity-plants" title="Diversity of Plants">Diversity of Plants</a></li> <li class="menu-3838 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38125 even "><a href="/landscape-architecture/smart-landscapes/energy-savings" title="Energy Savings">Energy Savings</a></li> <li class="menu-3870 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38141 odd "><a href="/landscape-architecture/smart-landscapes/healthy-soils" title="Healthy Soils">Healthy Soils</a></li> <li class="menu-3868 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38139 even "><a href="/landscape-architecture/smart-landscapes/healthy-water-practices" title="Healthy Water Practices">Healthy Water Practices</a></li> <li class="menu-3869 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38140 odd "><a href="/landscape-architecture/smart-landscapes/integrated-pest-control" title="Integrated Pest Control">Integrated Pest Control</a></li> <li class="menu-3867 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38138 even last"><a href="/landscape-architecture/smart-landscapes/places-for-wildlife" title="Places for Wildlife">Places for Wildlife</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1619 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36736 odd "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/pests" title="Pests">Pests</a></li> <li class="menu-1752 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36806 even "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/plant-diseases" title="Plant Diseases">Plant Diseases</a><ul><li class="menu-3573 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-38010 first odd "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/plant-diseases/fruit-and-nut-diseases" title="Fruit and Nut Diseases">Fruit and Nut Diseases</a><ul><li class="menu-3581 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38018 first odd "><a href="/plant-diseases/fruit-and-nut-diseases/fruit-and-nut-disease-calendar" title="Fruit and Nut Disease Calendar">Fruit and Nut Disease Calendar</a></li> <li class="menu-3583 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38020 even "><a href="/plant-diseases/fruit-and-nut-diseases/fruit-and-nut-disease-publications" title="Fruit and Nut Disease Publications">Fruit and Nut Disease Publications</a></li> <li class="menu-3582 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38019 odd last"><a href="/plant-diseases/fruit-and-nut-diseases/fruit-and-nut-disease-updates" title="Fruit and Nut Disease Updates">Fruit and Nut Disease Updates</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-3047 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37038 even "><a href="/lab" title="Plant Disease and Nematode Diagnostic Services">Plant Disease and Nematode Diagnostic Services</a></li> <li class="menu-3577 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-38014 odd last"><a href="/lawn-and-garden/plant-diseases/vegetable-diseases" title="Vegetable Diseases">Vegetable Diseases</a><ul><li class="menu-3578 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38015 first odd "><a href="/plant-diseases/vegetable-diseases/vegetable-disease-calendar" title="Vegetable Disease Calendar">Vegetable Disease Calendar</a></li> <li class="menu-3580 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38017 even "><a href="/plant-diseases/vegetable-diseases/vegetable-disease-publications" title="Vegetable Disease Publications">Vegetable Disease Publications</a></li> <li class="menu-3579 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38016 odd last"><a href="/plant-diseases/vegetable-diseases/vegetable-disease-updates" title="Vegetable Disease Updates">Vegetable Disease Updates</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-3875 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38145 odd "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/story-of-plants-and-people" title="The Story of Plants and People">The Story of Plants and People</a></li> <li class="menu-1622 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36739 even "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/trees" title="Trees">Trees</a></li> <li class="menu-1623 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36740 odd "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/turfgrass-and-lawn-management" title="Turfgrass and Lawn Management">Turfgrass and Lawn Management</a></li> <li class="menu-1618 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36735 even "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/vegetable-gardens" title="Vegetable Gardens">Vegetable Gardens</a></li> <li class="menu-1624 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36741 odd "><a href="/lawn-and-garden/weed-control-for-lawn-and-garden" title="Weed Control for Lawn and Garden">Weed Control for Lawn and Garden</a></li> <li class="menu-2523 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36853 even last"><a href="/lawn-and-garden/youth-gardening" title="Youth Gardening">Youth Gardening</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1632 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36748 odd "><a href="/natural-resources" title="Natural Resources">Natural Resources</a><ul><li class="menu-1497 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36654 first odd "><a href="/natural-resources/environment" title="Environment">Environment</a><ul><li class="menu-3982 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38230 first odd "><a href="/natural-resources/environment/mississippi-land-stewards" title="Mississippi Land Stewards">Mississippi Land Stewards</a></li> <li class="menu-3972 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38218 even last"><a href="/natural-resources/environment/stars" title="STARS">STARS</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1639 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36755 even "><a href="/natural-resources/fisheries" title="Fisheries">Fisheries</a><ul><li class="menu-3974 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-38222 first odd last"><a href="/natural-resources/fisheries/pond-and-lake-management" title="Pond and Lake Management">Pond and Lake Management</a><ul><li class="menu-3975 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38223 first odd "><a href="/fisheries/pond-and-lake-management/construction" title="Construction">Construction</a></li> <li class="menu-3976 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38224 even "><a href="/fisheries/pond-and-lake-management/stocking" title="Stocking">Stocking</a></li> <li class="menu-3977 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38225 odd "><a href="/fisheries/pond-and-lake-management/pond-and-lake-water-quality" title="Pond and Lake Water Quality">Pond and Lake Water Quality</a></li> <li class="menu-3978 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38226 even "><a href="/fisheries/pond-and-lake-management/fish-management" title="Fish Management">Fish Management</a></li> <li class="menu-3979 menu-path-taxonomy-term-38227 odd last"><a href="/fisheries/pond-and-lake-management/weed-control" title="Weed Control">Weed Control</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1634 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36750 odd "><a href="/natural-resources/forestry" title="Forestry">Forestry</a><ul><li class="menu-3091 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37388 first odd "><a href="/natural-resources/forestry/carbon-credits" title="Carbon Credits">Carbon Credits</a></li> <li class="menu-3082 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37379 even "><a href="/natural-resources/forestry/disaster-recovery" title="Disaster Recovery">Disaster Recovery</a></li> <li class="menu-1642 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36758 odd "><a href="/natural-resources/forestry/forest-ecology" title="Forest Ecology">Forest Ecology</a></li> <li class="menu-1644 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-36760 even "><a href="/natural-resources/forestry/forest-economics" title="Forest Economics">Forest Economics</a><ul><li class="menu-3074 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37371 first odd "><a href="/forestry/forest-economics/forestry-impacts" title="Forestry Impacts">Forestry Impacts</a></li> <li class="menu-3100 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37584 even "><a href="/forestry/forest-economics/marketing" title="Marketing">Marketing</a></li> <li class="menu-3101 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37585 odd "><a href="/forestry/forest-economics/taxation" title="Taxation">Taxation</a></li> <li class="menu-3073 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37370 even last"><a href="/forestry/forest-economics/timber-prices" title="Timber Prices">Timber Prices</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-3081 menuparent menu-path-taxonomy-term-37378 odd "><a href="/natural-resources/forestry/forest-management" title="Forest Management">Forest Management</a><ul><li class="menu-3084 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37381 first odd "><a href="/forestry/forest-management/agroforestry" title="Agroforestry">Agroforestry</a></li> <li class="menu-3085 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37382 even "><a href="/forestry/forest-management/beginning-forestry" title="Beginning Forestry">Beginning Forestry</a></li> <li class="menu-1557 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36689 odd "><a href="/forestry/forest-management/christmas-trees" title="Christmas Trees">Christmas Trees</a></li> <li class="menu-3099 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37583 even "><a href="/forestry/forest-management/forest-pests" title="Forest Pests">Forest Pests</a></li> <li class="menu-3086 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37383 odd "><a href="/forestry/forest-management/longleaf-pine" title="Longleaf Pine">Longleaf Pine</a></li> <li class="menu-3088 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37385 even "><a href="/forestry/forest-management/pine-straw-mulch-production" title="Pine Straw Mulch Production">Pine Straw Mulch Production</a></li> <li class="menu-3089 menu-path-taxonomy-term-37386 odd last"><a href="/forestry/forest-management/regeneration" title="Regeneration">Regeneration</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="menu-1645 menu-path-taxonomy-term-36761 even "><a href="/natural-resources/forestry/forest-soils" 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</div> </div> </header> <div class="l-main"> <div class="l-content" role="main"> <div class="l-region l-region--highlighted"> <div class="panel-pane pane-page-breadcrumb"> <h2 class="element-invisible">You are here</h2><ul class="breadcrumb"><li><a href="/">Home</a></li><li><a href="/publications">Publications</a></li><li><a href="/publications/publications">Publications</a></li><li>Poultry Beginnings: Raise Your Own Backyard Chickens</li></ul> </div> </div> <a id="main-content"></a> <div class="panel-pane pane-page-content"> <h1 class="pane-title">Poultry Beginnings: Raise Your Own Backyard Chickens</h1> <div class="mondrian panel-display panel-display--mondrian"> <div class="mondrian-region mondrian-region--main"> <div class="panel-pane pane-views-panes pane-publications-panel-pane-9"> <div class="view view-publications view-id-publications view-display-id-panel_pane_9 view-dom-id-bfeac7d61a47a611fae84e589dd13f9d"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="pub-detail"> <div class="views-field views-field-field-topic meta"> <span class="views-label views-label-field-topic">Filed Under: </span> <div class="field-content"><a href="/agriculture" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Agriculture</a>, <a href="/agriculture/livestock" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Livestock</a>, <a href="/agriculture/livestock/poultry" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Poultry</a></div> </div> <div> <div class="publication-type"><a href="/publications/publications" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Publications</a></div> </div> <span class="views-field views-field-field-publication-number"> <span class="views-label views-label-field-publication-number">Publication Number: </span> <span class="field-content">P3624</span> </span> <div> <div class="publication-file">View as PDF: <a href="https://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/publications/P3624_web.pdf" target="_blank">P3624.pdf</a></div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-body"> <div class="field-content"> <p>For years, many folks have found maintaining a small flock of backyard chickens a very rewarding experience and an excellent venture for the small or part-time farmer. But with the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous additional people, both urban and rural, ventured into the backyard chicken world—so much so that mail-order hatcheries could not keep up with orders during the spring of 2020 (Tabler et al., 2020).</p> <p>While <strong>raising your own meat and eggs may seem like a good idea, understand that there are stones in the road</strong>. It is probably cheaper (and less work) to buy it from the store than to produce it yourself at home. But if you are determined to start a backyard flock, it is important that you start planning early, do some homework, and make informed decisions. And always remember that Extension is here to help you!</p> <h2>Where to Begin</h2> <p>Don’t call up the mail-order hatchery and order chicks tomorrow. Start planning several months before the first chicken shows up on your property. First, <strong>check city/county ordinances</strong> to make sure you can have backyard chickens where you live. You don’t want to spend money on fencing, housing, and chickens just to learn later that you can’t have chickens at your location. If you can have chickens, <strong>check specifically about roosters</strong>. Some locations that allow hens do not allow roosters. Roosters crow and make lots of noise, which may not please the city council or county board of supervisors. If it’s legal to have chickens, <strong>visit with your neighbors</strong> beforehand so they aren’t blindsided when chickens suddenly appear in your backyard.</p> <p>Decide how many chickens you will have and then consider housing and pen space. You can’t have chickens without a place to put them. Have a specific number in mind but consider building your house and pen for more than that number. You may want to expand in the future—always be thinking ahead. It’s best to pen your flock rather than letting the chickens run free. Penning them will keep them at home, lessen disease threats, and protect them from predators. Many critters enjoy chicken dinners just as much as we do, including raccoons, opossums, skunks, snakes, hawks, owls, dogs, and cats. Many of these predatory animals are just as common within city limits as they are in the countryside.</p> <p>Understand that <strong>chickens come with expenses</strong>. Housing, purchasing the birds themselves, and feed will cost money. Also, if you plan to start with baby chicks, it will be roughly <strong>6 months before hens are old enough to lay eggs</strong>, and roosters will never lay eggs. You will have to feed and care for them during that time, so it will be a while before you see a return on your investment. <strong>Feed will be your greatest expense.</strong> Large poultry companies manufacture feed in bulk to reduce cost. Feed costs more when you buy it by the sack. However, it is still better (and easier) to purchase a balanced ration at the feed store or co-op than to try to mix a balanced ration at home yourself. The feed tag on a sack of feed is your guarantee that you are buying a complete and balanced ration for your chickens.</p> <p>Even though chickens come with expenses, they are usually less than for other livestock. Chickens benefit from the fact that they are</p> <ul> <li>small (compared to horses, cattle, or hogs),</li> <li>relatively inexpensive,</li> <li>easy to acquire (mail order hatcheries are all over the country), and</li> <li>don’t require a lot of land.</li> </ul> <p>However, <strong>chickens are living creatures and will be dependent on you</strong> to feed, care for, and protect them, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Consider the commitment. While COVID-19 may have kept you home during part of 2020, that won’t last forever. Who will take care of the chickens long-term? What about vacations or business trips? What happens if the primary chicken care provider is sick? Who is the backup care provider? Chickens do not care if it’s the weekend, your anniversary, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, or if there is a soccer game, football game, cheerleading practice, etc. Chickens must be cared for every day. They aren’t like cattle that you can put in the pasture and have them take care of themselves for long periods.</p> <p>You must plan for these situations and have the answers worked out long before you get chickens. What happens if a chicken gets sick? Do you know basic animal husbandry for poultry? Is there someone nearby that can teach you basic animal husbandry—a friend, neighbor, or county Extension agent, perhaps? Where will you get your feed? What will you do with the manure? What will you do with birds that may die? You must answer these questions before chickens arrive.</p> <h2>Selecting a Breed: Choose Wisely</h2> <p>Find what best suits your wishes, goals, and desires. There are more than 400 varieties of chickens to choose from. When you order baby chicks, you have to know what kind to choose. Chickens come in two sizes:</p> <ol> <li>Standard or large fowl (these are normal-sized birds)</li> <li>Bantam (a small chicken usually about one-fourth the regular size)</li> </ol> <p>Bantams are miniature copies of large breeds that are used often as ornamental birds. Some do have good egg production, but the eggs are small. <strong>Choose where your interests lie and have a goal in mind</strong> before you make your order (Tabler et al., 2017a):</p> <ul> <li>breed preservation – preventing endangered breeds from going extinct (this is a real concern for some breeds)</li> <li>dual-purpose – breeds fairly good at both meat and egg production</li> <li>meat production only</li> <li>egg production only</li> <li>developing a new breed – when you just can’t seem to find exactly what you want</li> </ul> <p>Will you market meat or eggs to the public? If so, the state where you live will have rules you must abide by. In Mississippi, you will need to contact the Mississippi Board of Animal Health (601-359-1170) for the requirements (disease testing, permits, paperwork, etc.). Selling to the public requires <strong>knowing what your customers want</strong>. When producing meat, it’s important to know if customers prefer yellow or white skin or if lots of dark meat or large amounts of breast meat appeal to them. For egg production, consider egg size and color (white, brown, dark brown, green, or blue).</p> <p>Also, <strong>consider the climate where you live</strong>. Mediterranean breeds generally do better in hot, humid climates. American breeds tend to do better in cooler climates. Usually, birds with large combs perform better in hot areas, and birds with smaller combs are better suited for colder regions. Large combs may suffer frost bite in colder weather, so use a smaller comb variety in cold areas. Some breeds have varieties with different type combs. Tables 1, 2, and 3 list common dual-purpose, egg-laying, and meat-type breeds.</p> <table border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"> <caption> <p class="rteleft"><strong>Table 1. Common dual-purpose chicken breeds.</strong></p> </caption> <colgroup> <col /> <col /> <col /> <col /> <col /> <col /> </colgroup> <thead> <tr> <th> <p>Breed</p> </th> <th> <p>Egg production</p> </th> <th> <p>Egg size</p> </th> <th> <p>Egg color</p> </th> <th> <p>Disposition</p> </th> <th> <p>Foraging ability</p> </th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>Plymouth Rock</p> </td> <td> <p>fair</p> </td> <td> <p>large</p> </td> <td> <p>brown</p> </td> <td> <p>calm</p> </td> <td> <p>fair</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Rhode Island Red</p> </td> <td> <p>good</p> </td> <td> <p>large</p> </td> <td> <p>brown</p> </td> <td> <p>calm</p> </td> <td> <p>fair</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Dominique</p> </td> <td> <p>fair</p> </td> <td> <p>medium</p> </td> <td> <p>brown</p> </td> <td> <p>calm</p> </td> <td> <p>good</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Delaware</p> </td> <td> <p>fair</p> </td> <td> <p>large</p> </td> <td> <p>brown</p> </td> <td> <p>calm</p> </td> <td> <p>good</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Wyandotte</p> </td> <td> <p>fair</p> </td> <td> <p>large</p> </td> <td> <p>brown</p> </td> <td> <p>calm</p> </td> <td> <p>fair</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Brahma</p> </td> <td> <p>fair</p> </td> <td> <p>large</p> </td> <td> <p>brown</p> </td> <td> <p>calm</p> </td> <td> <p>good</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Orpington</p> </td> <td> <p>fair</p> </td> <td> <p>large</p> </td> <td> <p>brown</p> </td> <td> <p>calm</p> </td> <td> <p>poor-fair</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"> <caption> <p class="rteleft"><strong>Table 2. Common egg-laying chicken breeds.</strong></p> </caption> <colgroup> <col /> <col /> <col /> <col /> <col /> <col /> <col /> </colgroup> <thead> <tr> <th> <p>Breed</p> </th> <th> <p>Egg production</p> </th> <th> <p>Egg size</p> </th> <th> <p>Egg color</p> </th> <th> <p>Disposition</p> </th> <th> <p>Foraging ability</p> </th> <th> <p>Broody</p> </th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>Leghorn</p> </td> <td> <p>excellent</p> </td> <td> <p>large</p> </td> <td> <p>white</p> </td> <td> <p>very flighty</p> </td> <td> <p>good</p> </td> <td> <p>no</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Minorca</p> </td> <td> <p>excellent</p> </td> <td> <p>x-large</p> </td> <td> <p>white</p> </td> <td> <p>flighty</p> </td> <td> <p>good</p> </td> <td> <p>no</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Australorp</p> </td> <td> <p>excellent</p> </td> <td> <p>large</p> </td> <td> <p>brown</p> </td> <td> <p>calm</p> </td> <td> <p>poor</p> </td> <td> <p>yes</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Ancona</p> </td> <td> <p>good</p> </td> <td> <p>large</p> </td> <td> <p>white</p> </td> <td> <p>flighty</p> </td> <td> <p>good</p> </td> <td> <p>no</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Ameraucana</p> </td> <td> <p>good</p> </td> <td> <p>large</p> </td> <td> <p>blue-green</p> </td> <td> <p>calm</p> </td> <td> <p>good</p> </td> <td> <p>yes</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Hamburg</p> </td> <td> <p>good</p> </td> <td> <p>small</p> </td> <td> <p>white</p> </td> <td> <p>very flighty</p> </td> <td> <p>good</p> </td> <td> <p>no</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Fayoumi</p> </td> <td> <p>good</p> </td> <td> <p>small</p> </td> <td> <p>tinted white</p> </td> <td> <p>very flighty</p> </td> <td> <p>excellent</p> </td> <td> <p>somewhat</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Maran</p> </td> <td> <p>good</p> </td> <td> <p>large</p> </td> <td> <p>dark brown</p> </td> <td> <p>flighty</p> </td> <td> <p>poor</p> </td> <td> <p>yes</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Sex-link</p> </td> <td> <p>excellent</p> </td> <td> <p>large</p> </td> <td> <p>brown</p> </td> <td> <p>calm</p> </td> <td> <p>poor</p> </td> <td> <p>no</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"> <caption> <p class="rteleft"><strong>Table 3. Common meat-type chicken breeds.</strong></p> </caption> <colgroup> <col /> <col /> <col /> <col /> <col /> </colgroup> <thead> <tr> <th> <p>Breed</p> </th> <th> <p>Growth rate</p> </th> <th> <p>Skin color</p> </th> <th> <p>Disposition</p> </th> <th> <p>Foraging ability</p> </th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>Cornish</p> </td> <td> <p>slow-medium</p> </td> <td> <p>yellow</p> </td> <td> <p>calm</p> </td> <td> <p>poor</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Jersey Giant</p> </td> <td> <p>medium</p> </td> <td> <p>yellow</p> </td> <td> <p>calm</p> </td> <td> <p>poor</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>New Hampshire</p> </td> <td> <p>fast</p> </td> <td> <p>yellow</p> </td> <td> <p>calm</p> </td> <td> <p>poor</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Freedom Ranger</p> </td> <td> <p>fast</p> </td> <td> <p>yellow</p> </td> <td> <p>calm</p> </td> <td> <p>fair</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Modern broiler</p> </td> <td> <p>very fast</p> </td> <td> <p>yellow</p> </td> <td> <p>calm</p> </td> <td> <p>poor</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h2>Housing and Confinement</h2> <p>Chickens must be protected from extreme weather, predators, injury, and theft. Carefully select the site on your property to house your flock. Keeping poultry confined with fencing and a covered run is the best protection from predators (Tabler et al., 2013). It’s important to bury the fencing wire and turn it outward for 10–12 inches under the surface to keep predators from digging under and reaching the birds. Fencing wire must be small enough to keep predators from crawling in and chicks from crawling out.</p> <p>How close will the housing and pen be to your house? The closer the better if predators attack, so that you can take quick action. The housing and pen should be on high ground that drains well to keep chickens out of the mud during wet weather. Chickens should have a <strong>dry, draft-free house that is easy to clean</strong>. Decide ahead of time if electricity and running water are needed.</p> <p>There are <strong>two main styles of housing: moveable and fixed</strong>. Moveable housing can be moved on a regular basis so that birds have access to fresh pasture. Fixed housing can’t be moved but may still allow birds to have outside access. Some backyard poultry keepers may have multiple fixed pasture areas so they can rotate pastures. Minimum space requirements for various types of poultry are listed in Table 4.</p> <table border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"> <caption> <p class="rteleft"><strong>Table 4. Minimum space requirements for various bird types (Clauer, 2009).</strong></p> </caption> <colgroup> <col /> <col /> <col /> </colgroup> <thead> <tr> <th> <p>Bird type</p> </th> <th> <p>Sq ft per bird (inside)</p> </th> <th> <p>Sq ft per bird (outside)</p> </th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>Bantam chicken</p> </td> <td> <p>1</p> </td> <td> <p>4</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Laying hen</p> </td> <td> <p>1.5</p> </td> <td> <p>8</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Large chicken</p> </td> <td> <p>2</p> </td> <td> <p>10</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Quail</p> </td> <td> <p>1</p> </td> <td> <p>4</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Pheasant</p> </td> <td> <p>5</p> </td> <td> <p>25</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Duck</p> </td> <td> <p>3</p> </td> <td> <p>15</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Goose</p> </td> <td> <p>6</p> </td> <td> <p>18</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h2>Getting Chicks</h2> <p>When housing is ready and the time finally arrives, baby chicks are easy to find. You can find multiple mail-order hatcheries online that will ship chicks by way of the U.S. Postal Service. Many people get their chicks from these mail-order hatcheries each year. Some hatcheries may have a minimum number of chicks to purchase; others may not. It’s possible to mix and match orders, but you must know what breeds you want and how many chicks when you make the order. Some hatcheries may sex chicks (for a fee) if you want only males or only females. Others may only ship straight-run chicks (some males and some females); in that case, you get whatever happened to hatch out that day.</p> <p>Shipping chicks through the mail is very effective and allows hatcheries to offer a wide variety of breeds. If you decide to get your chicks this way, make sure the <strong>hatchery participates in the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP)</strong>. This is your guarantee that the chicks are healthy and disease-free. Chicks can be shipped by mail because the egg yolk is a source of energy for up to 3 days for the newly hatched chick.</p> <p>Once you have your chicks, be forewarned that raising chickens is not as easy as you may have been led to believe—it takes work, time, and commitment. Managing a small flock of chickens can be divided into three different stages with different management intensities:</p> <ol> <li>brooding,</li> <li>growing, and</li> <li>egg production/breeding.</li> </ol> <p>Brooding is generally considered the time from placement/delivery to 14 days. <strong>Brooding requires the most intensive management on your part.</strong> It is the time of the chick’s most rapid development. Chick survival depends on how quickly it adjusts to its new surroundings. You must help it adjust by providing housing, protection, proper temperature/ventilation, feed, and water. How well a chick adjusts depends on how well you manage <strong>FLAWS</strong>. FLAWS stands for <strong>F</strong>eed, <strong>L</strong>ights, <strong>A</strong>ir, <strong>W</strong>ater, and <strong>S</strong>anitation. Brooding depends on six critical management basics:</p> <ol> <li>Pre-placement management</li> <li>Feed management</li> <li>Light management</li> <li>Air/ventilation management</li> <li>Water management</li> <li>Temperature management</li> </ol> <h2>Feed and Water</h2> <p>Even though some backyard poultry keepers mix their own diets, in the beginning, it is easiest to purchase feed from a local feed/farm supply store or co-op. Again, the feed tag means you don’t have to worry if you are feeding your chickens properly because everything they need is guaranteed to be in that sack. Common feeds are <strong>starter</strong> (20–24 percent protein), <strong>grower</strong> (18–20 percent protein), and <strong>layer</strong> (about 16 percent protein with extra calcium to maintain eggshell hardness). Do not feed layer feed until hens start to lay eggs. It has too much calcium for non-egg-laying birds and may damage their kidneys.</p> <p>Use a clean, safe water supply for your birds; water that you would drink yourself. Clean waterers daily.</p> <p>Place feed in a shallow feed tray that chicks can get in and out of easily, and place chicks on top of the feed; this will encourage them to eat. Feed trays can be homemade from any low-sided object such as egg flats, pie pans, the cut-out bottom portion of a milk jug, or even newspaper. Place feed trays <strong>close to the heat source</strong> to help chicks find feed yet still stay warm. Remove feed trays after the first few days to prevent waste, and switch to a more permanent feeder.</p> <p>Start chicks on a “chick starter” feed in a mash or crumble form. Baby chicks are not big enough to consume pellets. Keep feeders full during the first week to help chicks find feed. Fill the feeders only three-fourths full during the second week and no more than half full thereafter to prevent excessive scratching and feed waste. Have plenty of feeder space and be sure all birds can eat at the same time. Chickens develop a pecking order, so watch for timid birds being kept away from the feeder by more dominant birds. Timid birds may require separate feeding to ensure they are getting what they need.</p> <h2>Lighting</h2> <p>Laying hens require <strong>adequate light year-round to continue laying eggs</strong>. Hens will quit laying eggs and molt in late fall when the days get short without supplemental light. The length of the photoperiod is more important than the intensity of the light. However, light intensity can affect cannibalism, aggression, and feed and water intake. Photoperiod can affect reproductive and egg production cycles, total feed intake, and growth rate.</p> <p>Maximum egg production is usually <strong>obtained with 16 hours of light</strong> each day. This is not a problem during the long days of summer, but supplemental light will be required during winter when days are short to provide this much photoperiod. Light intensity is not that critical. A 25- to 40-watt LED equivalent light is usually adequate. It can be put on a timer or manually turned on and off. Sixteen hours of light each day will keep hens laying throughout the winter. Hens usually lay an egg about every 25 hours. However, without supplemental light, hens may stop laying by late November and may not start back again until March when the days once again become long.</p> <h2>Heating</h2> <p>You are taking the place of the mother hen, so use a thermometer when setting up for baby chicks to maintain adequate temperature. Strive for a <strong>chick-level temperature of 92–95°F</strong> for the first week and then drop the temperature gradually by 5°F per week until a temperature of 65–70°F is reached. The coop should provide adequate ventilation and be light and airy but without drafts; chickens do not like drafts. After placing chicks, watch their behavior and adjust conditions based on what they are telling you. Cold chicks huddle together and chirp and do not seek feed or water; hot chicks get against the walls and away from the heat source; drafty chicks huddle together on the opposite side of the coop from the draft; happy chicks are active and spread evenly throughout the coop. Bedding material such as pine shavings or rice hulls on the floor of the coop is critical and helps with</p> <ul> <li>insulating chicks during cold weather,</li> <li>providing a cushion for the breast and feet,</li> <li>diluting excreta,</li> <li>absorbing fecal material, and</li> <li>drying feces.</li> </ul> <h2>Growing Stage</h2> <p>The growing stage covers the period from the end of brooding (14 days) until birds are harvested or are sexually mature. Management is not as critical during the growing stage as during the brooding period. Birds know how to find feed and water and can manage their own body temperature by this time. Some supplemental heat may be needed until they are fully feathered, but once grown, they can handle cold weather without problems if they can stay dry and out of the wind. It is best to keep them confined in their coop until they are 4 weeks old.</p> <p>For best performance, do not allow birds to run out of feed during this stage. Adjust feeder height as the flock grows. If the feeders are too low, birds will waste large amounts of feed. Good quality water must also be provided at all times. Birds can quickly die on hot days without water. Water should be clean and fresh. Chickens consume twice as much water as they do feed.</p> <h2>Egg Production/Breeding</h2> <p>The time it takes for chickens to reach sexual maturity varies by breed. Females usually <strong>start to lay eggs between 18 and 22 weeks of age</strong>. Lighter breeds tend to mature faster than heavier breeds. Providing water is particularly important as it is the major component of eggs. If water is restricted or unavailable for long periods during the day, egg production will soon drop.</p> <p>Layer feed should contain adequate amounts of calcium and phosphorus for proper eggshell formation. You can also supply calcium by allowing hens free-choice access to oyster shell, which is available at most feed stores or online. However, oyster shell is not hard enough to substitute for grit. Birds with outside access will select grit from their environment, but you may need to provide it to birds without outside access.</p> <p>Hens will need a nest box or some other place to lay their eggs once they become sexually mature. Otherwise, they may lay anywhere; making it difficult to locate their eggs. One nest box for every four to six hens is adequate. A 12-by-12-by-12-inch box is a good size for average-sized hens. Larger breeds may require a slightly larger box.</p> <p>Place the nest in a shady area (not in direct sunlight) to encourage the hens to lay eggs in the box. Hens usually seek a dark, secluded place to lay their eggs. Sexually mature <strong>hens will lay eggs without a rooster present</strong>. However, these eggs will not be fertile and can’t be used to hatch future chicks. If you want fertile eggs to hatch baby chicks, you will need a rooster. If you don’t need fertile eggs, you don’t necessarily need a rooster. However, a rooster may help protect the flock from predators.</p> <h2>Predators</h2> <p>Predators will be a constant threat to your backyard flock. A long list of predators can threaten young chicks, including</p> <ul> <li>cats and dogs (these may be pets but can still see baby chicks as food)</li> <li>hawks and owls (aerial predators)</li> <li>snakes (threats to eggs and baby chicks)</li> <li>rats</li> <li>wild animals (raccoons, opossums, skunks, coyotes, foxes, minks, weasels, etc.)</li> </ul> <p>Most predation occurs at night, so make sure your flock is housed and safe before it gets dark. If a predator does make it to your flock, it will return, and the problem will only worsen over time. You must remove the predator (not an option with hawks or owls because they are federally protected), provide better protection, or expect more losses. Table 5 lists common predators and their signs.</p> <table border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"> <caption> <p class="rteleft"><strong>Table 5. Common predators of backyard birds and signs they may leave behind.</strong></p> </caption> <colgroup> <col /> <col /> </colgroup> <thead> <tr> <th> <p>Predator</p> </th> <th> <p>Signs</p> </th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td rowspan="3"> <p>coyote</p> </td> <td> <p>Whole bird missing</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Scattered feathers</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Digging into pens</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>cat</p> </td> <td> <p>Chicks or young birds missing</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>dog</p> </td> <td> <p>Birds usually mauled but not eaten</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="2"> <p>fox</p> </td> <td> <p>Whole bird missing</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Scattered feathers</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="4"> <p>hawk</p> </td> <td> <p>Bird eaten on-site</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Lots of feathers</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Small birds carried off and eaten in nearby trees</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Feathers under trees</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="2"> <p>mink/weasel</p> </td> <td> <p>Dead birds neatly piled</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Back of head and neck eaten</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="5"> <p>owl</p> </td> <td> <p>Head and neck eaten</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Lots of feathers</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Sometimes whole bird eaten</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Feathers under nearby trees</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Nighttime losses</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="2"> <p>opossum</p> </td> <td> <p>Whole bird consumed, feathers and all</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Sometimes wings or feet left behind</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="2"> <p>rat</p> </td> <td> <p>Chicks or young birds missing</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Partially eaten chicks</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="4"> <p>raccoon</p> </td> <td> <p>Breasts and entrails eaten</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Backs bitten</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Scattered feathers</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Birds grabbed from pens</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="2"> <p>skunk</p> </td> <td> <p>Entrails eaten but not muscles or skin</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Lingering odor</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>Source: Tabler et al., 2014.</p> <h2>Biosecurity</h2> <p>A good biosecurity program is a critical best management practice for all backyard flock owners. <em>Bio</em> means life, and <em>security</em> means protection; therefore, <em>biosecurity</em> means life protection. Much of biosecurity is simple common sense. It means doing all you can to prevent an infectious disease from being carried onto your farm and taking steps to reduce the likelihood that disease (should it occur) will leave your property (Tabler et al., 2017b).</p> <p>Biosecurity is important to prevent the spread of disease, maintain healthy flocks, and increase potential production and income from those flocks. The <strong>three key components of biosecurity are isolation, traffic control, and sanitation</strong>. The two main pathways for disease spread are direct and indirect transmission. Direct transmission is physical contact between infected and healthy birds. Indirect transmission happens when a disease agent is carried to susceptible birds by</p> <ul> <li>humans</li> <li>feed</li> <li>water</li> <li>environment</li> <li>shared equipment – contaminated pens, pastures, or water supplies</li> <li>rodents or other vermin</li> <li>pets</li> </ul> <p>These are possible disease signs in chickens:</p> <ul> <li>sneezing</li> <li>coughing</li> <li>nasal discharge</li> <li>watery eyes</li> <li>swollen sinuses</li> <li>twisted neck</li> <li>decreased feed and water intake</li> <li>decreased egg production</li> <li>decreased fertility and hatchability</li> <li>dehydration</li> <li>misshapen eggs</li> <li>depression</li> <li>huddling</li> <li>lethargy</li> <li>increased mortality</li> </ul> <p>If you suspect disease or something other than normal mortality in your flock, contact:</p> <ul> <li>Your local county Extension agent</li> <li>Your local veterinarian</li> <li>Mississippi Veterinary Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (601-420-4700)</li> <li>Mississippi Board of Animal Health (601-359-1170/1-888-722-3106)</li> <li>Mississippi State University Poultry Science Department (662-325-3416); ask for an Extension poultry specialist</li> </ul> <h2>Summary</h2> <p>Your flock will depend on you for its survival and protection, and that requires a commitment of time and money. Backyard chickens can be a fun, enjoyable, and rewarding experience. However, <strong>consider the time and expense required</strong> before you make your decision. Plan ahead and take enough time to work out all the details before you take action. Know what rules and regulations apply in your area. There are more than 400 varieties of chickens, so know what you want and choose your breeds carefully. Housing and confinement will be critical to protect your flock from the elements, maintain proper biosecurity, and deter predators. <strong>Extension personnel can help you determine if backyard chickens are the right fit</strong> for you and your family. Your local Extension agent can put you in touch with an Extension poultry specialist, who can help you make informed decisions about backyard chickens.</p> <h2>References</h2> <p>Clauer, P. (2009). <em>Small scale poultry housing.</em> Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2902-1092.</p> <p>Tabler, T., Clark, F. D., Wells, J., Zhai, W., & Yakout, H. (2013). <em>Managing the backyard flock.</em> Mississippi State University Extension Service Publication 2768.</p> <p>Tabler, T., Moyle, J. R., Clark, F. D., Liang, Y., Wells, J., & Farnell, M. (2014). <em>Protect backyard birds from predators.</em> Mississippi State University Extension Service Publication 2853.</p> <p>Tabler, T, Clark, F. D., & Wells, J. (2017a). <em>Choosing the right breed for your backyard flock.</em> Mississippi State University Extension Service Publication 3036.</p> <p>Tabler, T., Watson, J., Elchos, B., & Wells, J. (2017b.) <em>Backyard biosecurity is the best defense against avian influenza.</em> Mississippi State University Extension Service Publication 3059.</p> <p>Tabler, T., Moyle, J. R., Weimer, S. L., Moon, J., & Wells, J. (2020). <em>Backyard chickens and COVID-19.</em> Mississippi State University Extension Service Publication 3447.</p> <p><strong>Acknowledgment</strong>: Much of the information provided here is based on University of Maryland Extension backyard chicken programming by Jonathan Moyle, PhD, Extension Poultry Specialist.</p> <hr /> <p><strong>Publication 3624</strong> (POD-05-21)</p> <p>By <strong>Tom Tabler</strong>, PhD, Extension Professor, MSU Poultry Science; <strong>Jonathan R. Moyle</strong>, PhD, Extension Poultry Specialist, University of Maryland Extension; <strong>Jennifer Rhodes</strong>, Principal Agent, Queen Anne’s County, University of Maryland Extension; <strong>Shawna L. Weimer</strong>, PhD, Poultry Extension Assistant Professor, University of Maryland; <strong>Jessica Wells</strong>, PhD, Assistant Clinical/Extension Professor, MSU Poultry Science; and <strong>Jonathan Moon</strong>, Poultry Operation Coordinator, MSU Poultry Science.</p> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-pfbutton"> <span class="field-content"><a href="https://www.printfriendly.com/print?url=https%3A//extension.msstate.edu/publications/poultry-beginnings-raise-your-own-backyard-chickens" class="printfriendly" title="Print Friendly, PDF & Email"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//cdn.printfriendly.com/buttons/printfriendly-pdf-button.png" alt="Print Friendly, PDF & Email" /></a></span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="panel-pane pane-custom pane-1"> <p>The Mississippi State University Extension Service is working to ensure all web content is accessible to all users. 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</div> <div> <h3 class="employee-name"><a href="/poultry-science/mr-jonathan-wayne-moon">Mr. Jonathan Wayne Moon</a></h3> </div> <div> <div class="job-title">Extension Instructor</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="panel-pane pane-views-panes pane-news-panel-pane-14"> <h2 class="pane-title">Related News</h2> <div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-panel_pane_14 view-dom-id-ee77d8476de121f5d3e73648b61ffb70"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-preview"> <span> <span class="post-date">February 7, 2025</span> </span> <div> <span class="story-title"><a href="/news/feature-story/2025/lack-sleep-impacts-productivity-driving">Lack of sleep impacts productivity, driving</a></span> </div> </div> <div class="news-preview"> <span> <span class="post-date">February 4, 2025</span> </span> <div> <span class="story-title"><a href="/news/feature-story/2025/egg-prices-shortages-climb-hpai-cases">Egg prices, shortages climb with HPAI cases</a></span> </div> </div> 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