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Poultry and rabbits

Photo Credit: Alyson Yates (Cropped from original)

Announcements

Livestock webinar series for farmers

Join us for a monthly livestock webinar series hosted by the OSU Extension Service Small Farms Program. Read more...
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Latest Resources

How do I get rid of chicken mites?

Q: My chicken coop seems to have become infested with mites. How do you recommend getting rid of them?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Animal disease traceability

This website is the official portal for Animal Disease Traceability, managed by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). It offers valuable resources on tracking livestock and poultry to enhance disease management and food safety. Users can find guidelines, best practices, and tools for implementing effective traceability systems, promoting animal health and supporting the agricultural community.

Oct 2024 | Online resource

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

This website is the official portal for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), providing comprehensive information on safeguarding animal and plant health across the United States. It offers resources on disease prevention, regulatory practices, and emergency response strategies to support agricultural safety and sustainability.

Oct 2024 | Online resource

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Avian Influenza in Oregon

In this webinar hosted by OSU Extension's Small Farms Program, Dr. Ryan Scholz, Oregon Department of Agriculture’s state veterinarian, provided details about the disease, health concerns for people and other animals, prevention/biosecurity and the quarantines.

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Latest News

Watch chickens hatch on OSU Extension’s popular livestream

The livestream started today and will document the chicks as they hatch. The cameras will remain on until March 21. The expected hatch date is March 18.

Chris Branam | Mar 15, 2024 | News story

Tips to keep chickens in a laying mood

Give chickens appropriate feed, water and shelter and they'll reward you with cartons of eggs.

Kym Pokorny | Jun 22, 2023 | News story

Are you thinking of raising chickens because of record-breaking egg prices? Do your research

Raising and keeping chickens isn’t cheap so you’re not going to save money compared to buying eggs at the market.

Kym Pokorny | Feb 3, 2023 | News story

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Raising Chickens in Urban Environments

By James C. Hermes

This 3-page guide outlines everything that an urban dweller needs to know about raising chickens. Topics include how to construct a chicken enclosure, dietary suggestions, how to look after the health of your chickens and common behavioral concerns for those living with neighbors nearby.

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Photo Credit: Alyson Yates (Cropped from original)

Poultry

Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Oregon

Information from Oregon Department of Agriculture about Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), a serious and deadly disease in domesti​​c poultry and in waterfowl (ducks and geese).

Spanish: Notificación de Influenza Aviar de Alta Patogenicidad (HPAI) en aves de corral y aves acuáticas

Mar 2022 | Online resource

Purchasing chicks

Before purchasing baby chicks, learn how to select the right breed and get them off to a good start.

James Hermes | Mar 2021 | Article

Labeling requirements under Oregon’s 1,000 bird exemption

Oregon's 1,000 bird exemption allows small poultry producers to sell directly to consumers. But there are labeling requirements that include safe food handling instructions and other information. Learn what's required.

Dec 2016 | Article

Oregon Farm Direct Marketing: Guidelines for Selling Eggs

People who produce and sell eggs directly to consumers must follow specific labeling and handling requirements to qualify for the farm-direct licensing exemption. Learn about the requirements and best practices for providing high-quality eggs to your customers.

Sara Runkel, Heidi Noordijk, Melissa Fery, Rebecca Landis, Sarah Schwab | Jun 2022 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

More Poultry Resources

A Best-Practices Guide to Open-Air Poultry Slaughter

By Lauren Gwin and Rebecca Thistlethwaite

Oregon poultry producers who meet certain conditions can slaughter chicken, turkey and other birds in an open-air setting. But they still must meet requirements for sanitation, monitoring, recordkeeping and more.

Spanish version: La guía de buenas prácticas para el sacrificio al aire libre de aves de corral

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Photo Credit: Sergey Bogdanov - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Rabbits

Slaughtering and Dressing Rabbits

This Mississippi State University Extension publication covers slaughtering and dressing of rabbits. It also includes methods for tanning skins.

Mississippi State University Extension | Jun 2020 | Online resource

Living on The Land: Raising Rabbits for Meat—Providing Basic Care

This publication is part of the Living on the Land series. It provides concise information on raising rabbits as a source of meat. Topics include choosing the correct feed, nail care, and breeding. Use the ...

Elli Korthuis, Brian Tuck, Susan Kerr, Ellen Hammond, Shilah Olson | Mar 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Living on The Land: Raising Rabbits for Meat—Getting Started

This publication is part of the Living on the Land series. It provides concise information on raising rabbits as a source of meat. Topics include choosing which breed to raise and selecting your initial breeding...

Elli Korthuis, Brian Tuck, Susan Kerr, Shilah Olson, Ellen Hammond | Mar 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

More Rabbit Resources

Rabbit Coat Color Genetics

Wonder what color your rabbit will be? Learn how genes work together to display different combinations of rabbit coat color and patterning. Rabbits are bred for 4-H projects, hobby farms, as personal pets, and for other uses such as meat and fiber production.

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Photo Credit: Victorio - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

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Upcoming Events

Dec 17

Livestock Webinar Series: Getting Started with Livestock

6:00 pm - 7:30 pm PST Online
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Meet Our Experts

Logan Bennett
Small Farms and Master Gardener Program Coordinator

Contact for Farming and Gardening Questions in Douglas County

Teegan Stalford
Education Program Assistant 2, 4-H Youth Development Program
Rebecca Thistlethwaite image
Rebecca Thistlethwaite
NMPAN Director

Contact for meat sales, science, & processing questions.

See All Poultry and rabbits Experts
Ask Extension

Have a question? Ask Extension!

Ask Extension is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.

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How do I get rid of chicken mites?

Q: My chicken coop seems to have become infested with mites. How do you recommend getting rid of them?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

See More Questions