Poultry science's Extension faculty provide relevant educational and service-related programs for commercial poultry producers, allied industry representatives, county extension personnel, and small flock producers to enhance production and economic efficiencies while maintaining the state's competitive position in poultry production. The goal is to provide quality and timely educational programs, problem solving activities, and technology development and transfer through applied research and demonstration projects. The delivery of these activities is achieved through direct programming from Extension poultry scientists and county agents. In addition, the Extension faculty for poultry science have responsibilities for providing county agents and vocational agriculture teachers support for poultry youth activities in Georgia.
Extension publications from our faculty and staff offer free, research-based information to Georgians on poultry, and other topics including agriculture, the environment, families, food, lawn and garden, and youth.
The main objective in brooding chicks is to efficiently and economically provide a comfortable, healthy environment for growing birds. Temperature, air quality, humidity and light are critical factors to consider. Failure to provide the adequate environment during the brooding period will reduce profitability, resulting in reduced growth and development, poorer feed conversion, and increased disease, condemnation and mortality.
This publication provides current information about the appropriate application and most effective use of poultry fertilizer. It will also help poultry producers develop a simple nutrient management plan that meets permitting authority standards.
Poultry litter is widely used on pastures and hayfields in Georgia. There are many benefits when it is used wisely. Producers should use nutrient management planning and recommended rates to ensure poultry litter is used in ways that maximize its benefits without harming the environment.
Producing more than 8 billion pounds of chicken meat requires the support of hatching egg producers. Hatching egg production is a very different business from broiler meat production, as it requires different management skills and greater labor commitments. Because of the uniqueness of the hatching egg business and the long-term investment demands for an operator, it is important that prospective producers understand the managerial and financial requirements before committing to this enterprise. The information in this publication should help those considering hatching egg production as a new enterprise.
Water is a critical nutrient that receives little attention until a problem arises. Not only should producers make an effort to provide water in adequate quantity, they should also know what is in the water to be used in evaporative cooling systems and consumed by the birds.
This publication provides information relevant for agriculture and other industries that are under increasing public pressure to reduce emissions of certain atmospheric gases. Explanations are given about greenhouse gases, carbon footprints, reducing fossil fuel use, alternative energy sources, manure management and carbon credits. Knowing your carbon footprint or energy use can help poultry producers reduce the amount of energy they use and improve their bottom line.
This publication provides factual information about three common myths of poultry farming: that poultry farms will ruin the environment, that they smell, and that the air exhausted from poultry houses will damage property and cause health concerns.
Quality of chicks, feed and water are all of great concern to broiler producers, but quality of litter in broiler houses is seldom given sufficient emphasis. This is unfortunate because birds are in continuous contact with litter. Litter conditions significantly influence broiler performance and, ultimately, the profits of growers and integrators. Litter is defined as the combination of bedding material, excreta, feathers, wasted feed and wasted water.
The nutrients and organic materials found in poultry litter/manure are extremely beneficial by-products, as evidenced by the fact that years of application have transformed north Georgia from a severely depleted landscape in the 1920s and 1930s to a productive and green one today. Over-application or improper storage of poultry litter, however, can cause nutrient contamination of the state's waters. Given the size and economic importance of this key agricultural industry, poultry producers must properly use this material to obtain maximum economic value of its fertilizer qualities while assuring protection of the environment.
Biosecurity refers to procedures used to prevent the introduction and spread of disease-causing organisms in poultry flocks. Because of the concentration in size and location of poultry flocks in current commercial production operations and the inherent disease risks associated with this type of production, it is imperative that poultry producers practice daily biosecurity measures.
View the complete list of Extension publications for poultry science.