Story in Brief
In recent years, there has also been a tremendous increase in the number of residents with backyard flocks for both meat and egg production. Along with these trends also comes the recent increase threat of Avian Influenza and the effects it would create on the poultry industry. Over the past two years, Walker County Extension offered a series of meetings targeting both the commercial and backyard poultry producers in northwest Georgia. For the commercial growers, the meetings focused on improving efficiency in the process of heating, cooling, and ventilating their houses to reduce their energy bills and to improve bird health and performance. A backyard flock management class was conducted to inform small-flock poultry producers of the impact that proper housing and nutrition can make on the success of their home flock. Two egg candling classes helped backyard egg producers learn important food safety measures while dealing with their eggs and obtain an egg candler's certificate to help them meet the Georgia Department of Agriculture's requirement, if they sell their eggs. Proper bio-security was addressed in all of the meetings to make each grower more aware of the steps they can take to reduce their chances of having to deal with an Avian Influenza threat. More than 250 poultry growers in northwest Georgia have received training in Walker County focusing on poultry production. Over 150 backyard poultry growers are now certified egg candlers and can legally sell their eggs.