Avian Influenza (AI), widely known as “bird flu,” is an infectious disease in birds caused by type A Influenza viruses. While many wild bird species, such as migratory waterfowl like ducks and geese, carry the disease with few or no symptoms, it is highly contagious in domestic poultry like chickens and turkeys, often leading to severe illness and death.
The growing popularity of poultry keeping, particularly among hobbyists, continues to expand rapidly. Many cities and municipalities are even updating their ordinances to permit residents to keep poultry.
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Extension personnel actively engage with 4H and youth, conducting workshops on poultry selection, judging, and showmanship. The highly successful poultry chain program ensures that extension personnel deliver chicks to nearly every county in Arkansas.
Arkansas poultry extension staff also offer vital support to the state’s small poultry flock owners. They host numerous educational workshops and seminars across Arkansas counties, covering a range of essential topics:
- Breed selection for small flocks
- Disease recognition, prevention, and control
- Poultry husbandry and care
- Other areas of interest relevant to small flock owners.
For more details on upcoming small flock workshops and seminars, including locations, dates, and times, please contact your local county agent.
