Resources for Small-Scale Poultry Keepers

Adapted by Donna Coffin, Extension Professor. Developed by Extension Professor Richard Brzozowski, Associate Professor Emeritus H. Michael Opitz, and Professor Emeritus Robert O. Hawes

Books

Available from many online booksellers as well as through University of Maine Cooperative Extension Publications Catalog:

  • Storey’s Guides. North Adams, Storey Publishing.
    Each book is written by an expert and covers selection, housing, behavior, feeding and health.

    • Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens: Care/Feeding/Facilities
      Gail Damerow 4th edition (2017).
    • Storey’s Guide to Raising Ducks: Breeds, Care, Health
      David Holderread 2nd edition (2011).
    • Storey’s Guide to Raising Poultry: Breeds, Care, Health
      Leonard S. Mercia 4th edition (2012).
    • Storey’s Guide to Raising Turkeys: Breeds, Care, Health
      Leonard Mercia 3rd edition (2013).
    • Storey’s Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds
      Carol Ekarius (2007).

Monthly and Bimonthly Publications

Poultry Websites

  • PennState Poultry Extension: An excellent resource with many links to useful poultry websites.
  • Poultry Pages
  • University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources – focused on small-scale poultry operations
  • American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC): “A nonprofit membership organization working to protect over 150 breeds of livestock and poultry from extinction.” Its free downloads include two new poultry resources:
    • How to Raise Heritage Turkeys on Pasture. Jeannette Beranger, ed. (2008). Pittsboro, NC: ALBC
    • Chicken Assessment for Improving Productivity. Don T. Schrider and Jeannette Beranger (2007). Pittsboro, NC: ALBC.
  • National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service  Known as ATTRA because of its former name, the Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas project: Livestock section includes much up-to-date information on alternative poultry production systems and outdoor access.
  • The Coop: Dedicated to all the folks around the world who show, raise or breed poultry and related species.

Supply Companies

We have listed supply companies that appear to be currently active and advertising in the poultry papers. Most of these companies carry a general line of incubators, feeding and watering equipment, health needs, and general poultry supplies. Specialty companies are indicated.

Organizations (National)

Organizations (Organic Poultry Resources)

Organizations (Maine)

  • Central Maine Bird Fanciers, Dick and Linda Blackman (sec.): 207.832.6130 lindablackman@roadrunner.com  or richardblackman@roadrunner.com For the exhibition breeder. For the exhibition breeder.
  • Maine Food and Agricultural Center, Winslow Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5782. Coordinates and expands research and educational services provided by the University of Maine System, including the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station and University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Publishes research publications and reports.
  • Positively Poultry, Carroll Dean, Sect., 149 Thurston Hill Road, Madison, ME 04950-3816. 207.696.3874. For backyard and exhibition breeders.

Processing Facilities (Maine)

Hatcheries

There are many reputable hatcheries around the country; we cannot list them all but we do recommend getting eggs or newly hatched poultry from NPIP participating farms/hatcheries. Here is the contact information for the NPIP program. 

Here are hatcheries that are currently advertising in the poultry papers. Most supply a variety of species and breeds and are equipped to ship hatching eggs, day-old stock, and older birds. Specialty hatcheries have been noted. Changes in hatchery information may occur without the authors’ knowledge. When ordering chicks try to get them vaccinated at the hatchery for Marek’s Disease and Coccivac. If chicks are treated with Coccivac then no coccidiostat should be in the feed (get NON -Medicated feed for these chicks.)

Health and Management Information (Maine)

University of Maine

  • Colt Knight, Assistant Professor of Extension – State Livestock Specialist, University of Maine, Cooperative Extension, 5735 Hitchner Hall, Rm 133, Orono, Maine  04469. Tel: 207-581-2953, 800# in-state 800-287-0274. Email: colt.knight@maine.edu

State Agencies

  • Donna Flint, Poultry Health Technician, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. 207.557.4623. Email: donna.flint@maine.gov 
  • Celeste Poulin, Director, Maine Department of Agriculture’s Division of Quality Assurance and Regulation. 207.287.3841. Email: celeste.poulin@maine.gov 

Publications and Articles

Note: Where trade names or company names are noted in this document, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension is implied.

April 2020