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• Bantams (requires Acrobat Reader) Excellent Publication on the raising of bantams. By: John Skinner, Extension Specialist , University of Wisconsin.

Business Planning

• Developing a Business Plan outlines the steps involved when writing a business plan for an enterprise. Topics covered in the publication include: The Proper Format, Sections of the Business Plan, Financial Statements, and an Information section. among others. By: Lynn Kime, extension associate; Winifred McGee, extension director in Lebanon Co. PA, Steven Bogash, extension director in Franklin Co. PA, Jayson Harper, professor of agricultural economics Penn State .

• Agricultural Business Insurance outlines the various insurance coverages available to agricultural enterprises. Topics covered in the publication include: Insurance Covering General Liability, Property, Employees, Vehicles, and Crops among others. By: Lynn Kime, extension associate; John Adamik, agent/representative, Adamik Insurance Agency; Eugene Gantz, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Risk Management Agency; Jayson Harper, professor of agricultural economics Penn State.

• Starting or Diversifying an Agricultural Business outlines the steps involved in starting or diversifying an agricultural business. Topics covered in the publication include: Develop a Business Plan, Your Business Management Team, Conducting a SWOT Analysis, Organizational Structure Marketing, and Human Resources among others. By: Lynn Kime and Sarah Roth, extension associates; Jayson Harper, professor of agricultural economics Penn State.

• Egg-Type Layer Flock Care Practices is one of a series of University of California publications addressing the issue of animal care relating to food production in California. This publication is a joint effort of the Poultry Working Group, Cooperative Extension, and industry representatives.

• Management Requirements for Laying Flocks By: Phillip J. Clauer, Poultry Extension Specialist, VA. Tech.

• Proper Handling of Eggs: From Hen to Consumption. To insure egg quality in small flocks, egg producers must learn to properly handle the eggs they produce. This article will discuss how you can insure that your eggs will be of the highest quality and safe for consumption. By: Phillip J. Clauer, Poultry Extension Specialist, VA. Tech.

• Rearing Chicks and Pullets for the Small Laying Flock Good layers develop from healthy, well-bred chicks raised under good feeding and management programs. Buying the right type of chick is important for the most economical production. By: Melvin L. Hamre, Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota.

• Small Laying Flock A well-planned and well-managed small laying flock can be a source of fresh eggs, personal pleasure and, sometimes, profit. By: Melvin L. Hamre, Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota.

• Small-Scale Egg Production (Organic and Nonorganic) In the 1980s and 1990s, small-scale egg production has made a comeback, mainly because of changing consumer demands and emerging niche markets. This six-page publication, part of the Agricultural Alternatives series focusing on small-scale and part-time farming operations, covers small-scale egg production marketing, production considerations, disease problems, and regulations, and includes sample budgets and references for more information. (1999). By: Dr. Paul Patterson, PSU Extension.

• The Small Laying Flock (requires Acrobat Reader) Nicely done publication by: Fred Thornberry, Extension Poultry Specialist, Texas A&M.

• Breeder Company Management Guides These companies offer excellent management information.

• Broiler Breeder and Replacement Pullet Management By: Larry R. Vest, Extension Poultry Scientist, University of Georgia .

• Broiler Care Practices is one of a series of University of California publications addressing the issue of animal care relating to food production in California. This publication is a joint effort of the Poultry Workgroup, Cooperative Extension, and industry representatives.

• Management Requirements for Meat Bird Flocks By: Phillip J. Clauer, Poultry Extension Specialist, VA. Tech.

• Small Flock for Poultry Meat A well-planned and well-managed flock can be a good source of fresh poultry meat. Large scale commercial broiler production and merchandising techniques often result in market prices difficult to match with a backyard flock. Small flock owners should not plan to produce more birds than the family can use or market, either live or dressed, to friends and neighbors. By: Melvin L. Hamre, Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota.

• The Home Broiler Flock (requires Acrobat Reader) By: Fred Thornberry, Poultry Extension Specialist, Texas A&M.

• Breeder Company Management Guides These companies offer excellent management information.

• A Small-Scale Agriculture Alternative: Poultry The low investment and small area required to raise a flock of domestic poultry makes this an ideal venture for the beginning small or part-time farmer. Domestic poultry can supplement family food supplies, and small specialized poultry producers can sell to several niche markets. For example, producers can consider selling organic meat and eggs, brown eggs, range-reared meat and eggs, live birds for ethnic markets, and birds for hobby, leisure, and purebred exhibition purposes. Most small specialty poultry enterprises raise chickens or waterfowl. To ensure profitability, the small specialty poultry producer must do careful research on market opportunities. Successful producers for niche markets usually have unique products, good customer loyalty, limited competition, and the ability to maintain a profit margin when in competition with larger businesses. By: Phillip J. Clauer, Poultry Extension Specialist, VA. Tech.

• Farm Flock Poultry(Alternative Animal Enterprises) At one time most Minnesota farms had their own poultry flock. Now few farms have poultry on them, so small flock owners find a ready market in their own area. You have to have suitable housing and be willing to process the birds for most of your customers. By waiting until the cold weather is over you minimize housing needs and reduce brooding costs. You usually won't be able to compete with the production costs of commercially grown poultry, but your farm poultry may bring a price that gives you a very satisfactory labor return. By: Melvin L. Hamre, Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota.

• Home Flock Management By: Dr. Tom Smith, Mississippi State University.

• Management Guide for The Backyard Flock Very well written. By: Jean E. Sander, Extension Veterinarian; Michael P. Lacy, Extension Poultry Scientist,University of Georgia.

• Points to Ponder Before Starting A Poultry Operation By: Francine A. Bradley Extension Poultry Specialist University of California, Avian Sciences Department, Davis.

• Raising Fowl And Small Animals in Urban Areas The following are some guidelines for owners of birds and small animals in urban areas. By following the guidelines you can avoid a good deal of conflict with others in your community and avoid the development of ordinances banning the raising of certain animals in your community. By: Phillip J. Clauer, Poultry Extension Specialist, VA. Tech.

• Small Poultry Flocks (requires Acrobat Reader) Very Good older U.S.D.A. Publication. Covers all aspects of small scale poultry production.

• Starting and Managing Small Poultry Units By: Ralph A. Ernst Extension Poultry Specialist University of California, Davis.

• Bobwhite Quail Production Bobwhite quail are game birds indigenous to the United States. Loss of natural habitats has created demand for commercially bred birds, which are used to stock shooting preserves and wild areas. This four-page publication, part of the Agricultural Alternatives series focusing on small-scale and part-time farming operations, covers bobwhite quail marketing, getting started, hatching and rearing young birds, and health programs, and includes sample budgets and references for more information. (2002), Revised by: Phillip J. Clauer.

• Bobwhite Quail Production and Management Guide W. A. Dozier, III and K. Bramwell, Extension Poultry Scientists, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Georgia, Poultry Science Department.

• Button Quail Information and Care.

• Gamebird Management for Commerical Use By: Dr. Tom Smith, Mississippi State University.

• Gamebirds (Alternative Animal Enterprises) The rearing of game birds and other exotic fowl is usually done in one of three production areas and for show or exhibition, meat production, or in the case of game birds such as pheasants, for release and subsequent hunting. Game birds are considered to be those fowl for which there is an established hunting season. By: Sally Noll, Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota.

• Japanese Quail - Coturnix (requires Acrobat Reader) Good management publication by: J.R.Cain and W.O. Cawley, Texas A&M.

• Japanese Quail Husbandry in the Laboratory (Coturnix coturnix japonica) By: A. Woodard, Abplanalp, Wilson, and Vohra, University of California, Davis.

• Partridge Production Partridge producers typically raise one of two distinct species, the chukar or the Hungarian partridge. This six-page publication, part of the Agricultural Alternatives series focusing on small-scale and part-time farming operations, covers the two partridge species, marketing, getting started, hatching and rearing young birds, and disease problems, and includes sample budgets and references for more information. (1998)

• Pheasant Production Alternatives series focusing on small-scale and part-time farming operations, covers the pheasant marketing, getting started, hatching and rearing young birds, and disease problems, and includes sample budgets and references for more information. (1996)

• Raising and Propagating Japanese Quail By: Ralph A. Ernst Extension Poultry Specialist University of California, Davis.

• Raising Chukar Partridges By: Allen Woodard UC-Davis.

• Raising Game Birds Good general management guide. This publication is a joint effort of the Poultry Workgroup, Cooperative Extension, and industry representatives.

• Raising Guinea Fowl (requires Acrobat Reader) Good older USDA publication covering sexing and management.

• Oklahoma State Ostrich Book Shorten version for Internet. By A. Alan Kocan PH.D., College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Microbiology, and Public Health, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma and John A. Crawford, P.O. Box 213, Cache, Oklahoma. Hard copies of an expanded version of this text as well as additional texts on hatching, a video on ostrich care, and related material are available for purchase from the Ostrich News, Cache, Oklahoma.

• Texas A&M Emu Production by: Dr. Joan S. Jefferey Extension Veterinarian Texas Agricultural Extension Service The Texas A&M University System.

• Texas A&M Ostrich Production by: Dr. Joan S. Jefferey Extension Veterinarian Texas Agricultural Extension Service The Texas A&M University System.

• Breeder Company Management Guides These companies offer excellent management information.

• Turkey Care Practices is one of a series of University of California publications addressing the issue of animal care relating to food production in California. This publication is a joint effort of the Poultry Workgroup, Cooperative Extension, and industry representatives.

• Management Requirements For Waterfowl By: Phillip J. Clauer, Poultry Extension Specialist, VA. Tech

• Muscovy Duck Care Practices is one of a series of University of California publications addressing the issue of animal care relating to food production in California. This publication is a joint effort of the Poultry Workgroup, Cooperative Extension, and industry representatives.

• Raising Ducks About 22 million ducks are raised annually in the United States. Most are produced under confinement on specialized duck farms in a few commercially important duck production areas. However, many farms still raise a few ducks primarily for family use or local sale. This publication is intended for the latter group. By: Melvin L. Hamre, Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota.

• Raising Geese (requires Acrobat Reader) Excellent USDA Publication covering all aspects of goose production.

• Raising Geese Geese are raised in practically all parts of the United States, although they total some 0.2 percent of the poultry population. The Embden and Toulouse are the two most popular breeds; many African and White Chinese are also raised. There are considerable differences in breeds and strains of geese so their characteristics should be fully evaluated to best meet the producer's requirements. By: Melvin L. Hamre, Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota.

• Raising Waterfowl (requires Acrobat Reader)Excellent publication for Getting started or the experienced. By: Phillip J. Clauer and John Skinner, Extension Specialist , University of Wisconsin.