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ENLARGE
Melissa Matthewson
For small farms to survive in the global agricultural economy, farmers must think about integrating several enterprises onto the farm to make it viable and successful over the long-term.
Diversification is key. Farmers must also be thinking about marketing on the direct, local market. They also need to be thinking about ways to differentiate their products from other like products on the market.
Pastured poultry is a terrific niche enterprise for small farmers interested in diversifying their small farm operation. It is relatively inexpensive to get started, and the demand for high-quality, pastured eggs and chicken is very high.
Pastured poultry means raising chickens, ducks, turkeys and other poultry on grass during the animal’s lifetime. The pasture (and the bugs and grit that go along with grass) is a supplement to the formulated ration that poultry usually receive as their daily feed.
Raising birds on grass enhances the diet and adds richness to egg color. Raising birds on grass also means that birds are outside for most of their lives with access to fresh air and exercise. In general, birds are enclosed in electric fencing or pasture pens and moved daily to fresh grass. There are numerous and creative ways to set up a pastured poultry system.
On Aug. 2, OSU Small Farms Extension will host a daylong workshop on small-scale pastured poultry production and marketing. This class is for small farm entrepreneurs or hobby farmers interested in adding laying hens, broiler chickens or turkeys to their small farm operation.
Topics will include general management, nutrition and health of poultry; choosing an alternative poultry production system; poultry farmer panel and Q&A; poultry marketing opportunities; and rules and regulations for direct marketing and poultry processing. The workshop will end with a field tour of B&K Natural Farms, a local pastured poultry farm near Sutherlin.
Speakers will include Jim Hermes, OSU Extension Poultry Specialist, Melissa Matthewson, OSU Extension Small Farms, and Beth and Kerry Olsen, B&K Natural Farms.
The workshop is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Fair Oaks Grange a few miles east of Sutherlin. Cost is $25 for the workshop. Participants will receive related workshop materials and have opportunities for discussion and networking. Lunch, snacks and drinks will be provided.
To register, call 541-672-4461. Pre-registration is required as space is limited.
Melissa Matthewson is the Small Farms Extension Agent for OSU Extension Service of Douglas County. She can be reached by e-mail at melissa.matthewson@oregonstate.edu or by phone at 541-672-4461.
Diversification is key. Farmers must also be thinking about marketing on the direct, local market. They also need to be thinking about ways to differentiate their products from other like products on the market.
Pastured poultry is a terrific niche enterprise for small farmers interested in diversifying their small farm operation. It is relatively inexpensive to get started, and the demand for high-quality, pastured eggs and chicken is very high.
Pastured poultry means raising chickens, ducks, turkeys and other poultry on grass during the animal’s lifetime. The pasture (and the bugs and grit that go along with grass) is a supplement to the formulated ration that poultry usually receive as their daily feed.
Raising birds on grass enhances the diet and adds richness to egg color. Raising birds on grass also means that birds are outside for most of their lives with access to fresh air and exercise. In general, birds are enclosed in electric fencing or pasture pens and moved daily to fresh grass. There are numerous and creative ways to set up a pastured poultry system.
On Aug. 2, OSU Small Farms Extension will host a daylong workshop on small-scale pastured poultry production and marketing. This class is for small farm entrepreneurs or hobby farmers interested in adding laying hens, broiler chickens or turkeys to their small farm operation.
Topics will include general management, nutrition and health of poultry; choosing an alternative poultry production system; poultry farmer panel and Q&A; poultry marketing opportunities; and rules and regulations for direct marketing and poultry processing. The workshop will end with a field tour of B&K Natural Farms, a local pastured poultry farm near Sutherlin.
Speakers will include Jim Hermes, OSU Extension Poultry Specialist, Melissa Matthewson, OSU Extension Small Farms, and Beth and Kerry Olsen, B&K Natural Farms.
The workshop is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Fair Oaks Grange a few miles east of Sutherlin. Cost is $25 for the workshop. Participants will receive related workshop materials and have opportunities for discussion and networking. Lunch, snacks and drinks will be provided.
To register, call 541-672-4461. Pre-registration is required as space is limited.
Melissa Matthewson is the Small Farms Extension Agent for OSU Extension Service of Douglas County. She can be reached by e-mail at melissa.matthewson@oregonstate.edu or by phone at 541-672-4461.
