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Farm & Ranch

Spring Chicks

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By Barry Whitworth, DVM / Area Food/Animal Quality and Health Specialist for Eastern Oklahoma

Raising chickens in the backyard has become very popular. Some people desire a better understanding of how their food is produced. Others like the rewarding experience of going out in the backyard and gathering eggs. For children and young people, poultry make a good 4H or FFA project. However, many backyard producers may not be aware of diseases that might threaten their chickens as well as their own health. As the time to purchase new chicks approaches, backyard poultry enthusiasts need to keep these thoughts in mind when buying chicks.

In a review of the common causes of death in backyard poultry in the United States, Dr. Cadmus and associates found that 41 percent of all dead birds submitted for necropsy were diagnosed with some form of cancer. Marek’s disease was the most common cause of the cancers. Bacterial infections were the next most common cause of death. Escherichia coli was the bacterium found most often followed by Mycoplasma species.

To read more pick up a copy of the April 2021 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.

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Farm & Ranch

Hazards of Backyard Poultry

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By Barry Whitworth, DVM

Having backyard poultry is a popular agriculture enterprise. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 0.8 percent of all households in the United States have chickens. People keep chickens for a variety of reasons with table eggs being one of the more common reasons.

Unfortunately, some of these poultry producers are not aware of the hazards that come with keeping poultry because many times they carry pathogens but appear healthy.
Chickens are carriers of several zoonotic diseases. These are diseases that can be passed from animals to humans. According to a recent survey in Pennsylvania, a majority of backyard poultry producers were aware of the dangers of avian influenza. However, this study also revealed that far fewer producers were aware of the risk of possible exposure to Salmonella and Campylobacter.

The lack of knowledge about the hazards of raising poultry likely contributes to the continued issues of Salmonella outbreaks associated with backyard poultry. In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,072 illnesses of Salmonella linked to backyard poultry, and 272 of those patients required hospitalization. Oklahoma reported 43 individuals with the disease.

To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.

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Farm & Ranch

Ag Elsewhere: Wyoming

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By Tressa Lawrence

Babies are tucked away in every nook and cranny. Many ranchers across Wyoming have baby animals popping up all over this time of year.

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Farm & Ranch

Ag Elsewhere: Montana

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By Lindsey Monk

Another load of grain in to keep feeding the calves until the green grass can really start popping.

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