Poultry production for meat and eggs can have a role in many kinds of farming systems, large, medium, and small. Consumer interest in hormone-free and/or free range birds and eggs has provided growing niche for small and medium sized producers. Some growers are interested in alternative systems (like pastured poultry), heirloom breeds, and direct marketing to consumers.

Poultry Links

• Farm Flock Poultry - University of Minnesota
• Home Processing of Poultry - University of Minnesota
• How to Keep a Small Poultry Flock - New Mexico State University
• Incubation for the Home Flock - University of Nebraska
• Management of the Small Flock of Chickens - Kansas State University
• Pastured Poultry Resources (links page) - Sustainable Farming Connection
• Poultry Factsheets - Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Canada
• Poultry Publications - ATTRA
• Poultry Related Resources (publications and links) - University of Minnesota
• Profitable Poultry: Raising Birds on Pasture - USDA Sustainable Agriculture Network
• Questions and Answers about Pastured Poultry - Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, University of Wisconsin
• Resource Guide for Owners of Small Poultry Flocks - Kansas State University
• Small-Scale Egg Production (Organic & Nonorganic) (PDF: 42 KB / 6 pages) - Penn State University
• Small-Scale Poultry Housing (PDF) - University of Virginia
• Small Poultry Flocks - North Carolina State University
• Small Poultry Flocks (PDF: 1.64 MB / 16 pages) - Texas A&M University
• The Small Flock for Poultry Meat - University of Minnesota
• The Small Poultry Flock - Michigan State University Extension
• The Small Laying Flock (PDF: 149 KB / 4 pages) - Texas A&M University

Associations and Other Resources

• American Poultry Association

MDA Contact

Meg Moynihan
Minnesota Farm Opportunities, 651-201-6616
Ag Marketing & Development Division