Poultry is transported for a few different reasons, for instance to fairs or markets, to a new owner, the vet, or to slaughter. Unfortunately, few people put much thought into how to best transport their fowl. As a result, birds experience distress, get sick or die in transit. This can be easily avoided. Consider the following factors before transporting fowl.

Horses, just like people, need to eat a variety of things to meet their nutritional requirements. If their diet is out of balance, then problems occur. A horse getting too much feed will become overweight, while one who eats too many treats may end up with colic. A young horse that eats an unbalanced diet may grow slowly or not grow correctly.

Horses, just like people, need to stay clean in order to not only look good but also stay healthy. Grooming not only gets the horse clean; it also relaxes them and allows you to look for injuries, parasites, or skin conditions.

Horses do not speak in words, but they still communicate. They use body language. Understanding horse “language” is important when it comes to safely handling horses. There are several ways horses position their bodies in order to talk to each other.

Just as different people do different jobs, so do different horses perform different tasks. In order to do their jobs well, they need to have the right tack or equipment.

So many activities and interactions with horses require you to know what the parts of the horse are, where they’re located, and how they function. It’s also important to use the correct terminology when speaking with others about horses. For example, telling the vet that a horse has a wound on the withers is more specific than just saying on the back.

A comprehensive educational guide designed for the 4-H School Enrichment Curriculum. It aims to help students understand life and embryonic development through hands-on experiences with avian eggs, primarily chickens.

4-H Policy Guidelines

Members should also enroll in the Horse Management project and keep an accurate and up-to-date management record. Participate in the riding series is strictly on an elective basis. The riding projects should be closely supervised by a horse project leader. Numerous standard references may be used for completing the diagrams, questions, etc. Members should have the basic equipment for riding and the use of a suitable riding animal.

A guide for the 4-H school-enrichment project, helping youth understand embryonic development through hands-on experiences with avian eggs, primarily chickens. It covers chicken biology, egg fertilization, incubation science, and brooding. The manual includes project planning, egg care, incubator setup, troubleshooting, and humane treatment guidelines.

This LIVESTOCK UPDATE contains timely subject matter on beef cattle, horses, poultry, sheep, swine, and related junior work. Use this material as you see fit for local newspapers, radio programs, newsletters, and for the formulation of recommendations.

On-farm or backyard slaughter of poultry has some advantages and disadvantages from an animal welfare perspective. In this text, some considerations are discussed in relation to the animals' experience prior to slaughter and some suggestions are provided for humane slaughter.

When a broiler chicken is injured, stunted in growth, immobile or unable to eat or drink, it is in the animal’s best interest to take the bird out of the flock for euthanasia rather than to leave the bird to eventually die. Euthanasia, or “good death” is not a pleasant job, so it is important that it is effective, relatively quick and easy to administer.

African Swine Fever (ASF) is currently ravaging the swine industries in China and other Asian countries and so far, over 5 million pigs have died or have been culled to stop the spread of the disease. The U.S. has never had an outbreak of ASF. Pig farmers and allied agricultural industries, and local, state and Federal Veterinarians must be vigilant to keep the disease from entering and spreading among U.S. pig farms which would have devastating effects on the domestic economy and food security. This paper provides an update on the ASF situation world wide and provides important facts about the disease that pig farmers and others need to know.

Low stress cattle handling techniques are methods of working cattle using the cattle’s natural instincts to move them. Cattle have evolved with the natural instinct or tendency to move away from pressure. A skilled handler can use an animal’s flight zone, point of balance, and cattle’s natural way of learning; pressure and release, to move cattle without increasing the animal’s level of distress during the working process.

This fact sheet is designed to aid the new backyard butcher in successful harvesting of a sheep or goat. It describes all steps of a slaughter, with a focus on animal welfare, food safety and human safety.

Purpose: To teach youth how to read a medication label so they are better able to understand how to store and administer medications for different livestock species.

Northern fowl mites (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) are one of the more common ectoparasites (external parasites) that can be present in a poultry flock. This publication discusses detection, prevention, and treatment options

Footpad dermatitis refers to a lesion on the footpad and/or toes, characterized by black, necrotic skin and inflammation. This is a widespread condition that can occur in any poultry flock, from mini scale backyard birds to large-scale commercial settings. This publication covers information about the prevalence, causes, methods to keep track, and some potential remedies.

Predation is a common risk for poultry that are allowed to roam freely outdoors (Fig. 1). Predator types may differ depending on the region. Therefore, this article may not cover all possible predators for a specific geographical region. This article provides an overview of potential flock predators, how to identify the predator, and approaches to avoid predation in your free-range poultry flock.

Leg and foot problems in poultry can be a serious health and animal welfare problem, with consequences for production too. Most leg and foot disorders in poultry can be prevented through proper nutrition and management. However, some problems can be genetic. Here we consider the causes of these problems in poultry. By taking proper management precautions, you can prevent leg and foot disorders from ever occurring.

This project will be used to disseminate current thoughts and understand the invasive species of Asian Longhorned Tick (ALT) and the spread of Theileria. The Asian Longhorned Tick is a new invasive species that was first found in the US in 2017 and has since spread to 19 states from the Atlantic Coast to the Southeastern region of the US. The ALT is credited with the widespread of Theileria. Theileria is a blood protozoa parasite that has had a negative impact on cattle producers across the state. This article is what we currently understand about the ALT and the spread of Theileria.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (HPAI) virus is an emerging disease in dairy cattle. HPAI has previously only been found in poultry and other fowl. The virus in birds is known to affect multiple internal organs with a mortality rate of up to 90% to 100% (Center for Disease Control [CDC], nd). The large geographic spread of this virus is made possible through the infection of migrating bird species.

Domesticated chickens, like their ancestor the Jungle Fowl, will range outdoors when given the opportunity, especially when given shelter or natural overhead cover from bushes and trees. Poultry flocks that get the opportunity to range outdoors can benefit in terms of health and behavioral opportunities. However, many factors impact ranging behavior, including shelters, weather, time of day, early life experiences, fear, group size and genetics. Here we focus on one component that could stimulate poultry to use the range more, which is to provide natural vegetation other than grass.

A highly-pathogenic strain of Avian influenza, or bird flu is currently present in the United States. The outbreak started in early 2022 and continues. So far, the disease has infected both commercial and backyard poultry flocks resulting in the loss of over 90 million birds. It was recently detected in other livestock species, such as dairy cattle, and wildlife. It can transmit to humans. Biosecurity measures could prevent transmission of this disease.

During the process of a live lamb becoming retail meat cuts, there is significant weight loss that occurs throughout every step. This fact sheet will aid in approximating meat yields from a live lamb.

This fact sheet is intended to introduce ritual slaughter, focusing customs from Islam and Judaism. This fact sheet will introduce individuals to backyard Halal or Kosher meat production.

This article outlines tools and standards used in animal welfare audits for broiler chickens. These audits assess whether farms, hatcheries, or processing plants meet animal welfare certification standards, which may be company-specific or part of nationally recognized certification programs. The audits are performed to evaluate resource-based inputs (housing, handling, veterinary care) and animal-based indicators (health, behavior, emotional states) to assess overall animal welfare. Here we show examples of prominent U.S. broiler welfare certification programs, their associated audit tools, animal welfare indicators used during audits, and compliance thresholds.

Following Hurricane Helene’s impact on Virginia, livestock producers must remain vigilant about the short- and long-term effects of flooding on herd health. In the immediate aftermath, waterborne diseases, increased parasite loads, and contamination of feed sources pose significant risks. Over time, prolonged exposure to damp conditions can lead to respiratory illnesses, hoof problems, and nutritional deficiencies due to compromised forage quality. This presentation outlines key strategies to mitigate disease outbreaks, monitor parasite control, and ensure proper nutrition, helping producers safeguard their herds against the lasting effects of severe weather events.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s impact on Virginia, farmers and livestock producers must navigate the financial challenges of flood recovery, including tax implications. Disaster-related expenses, property losses, and relief programs can affect tax filings, with potential deductions and credits available to offset recovery costs. Understanding the tax treatment of damaged assets, federal disaster assistance, and potential deferrals on income from livestock sales is crucial for financial stability. This presentation provides an overview of key tax considerations after flooding, helping producers make informed decisions to maximize relief benefits and maintain long-term economic resilience.

The pre-slaughter phase for broiler chickens is a period that contains many stressors and risks for animal welfare. These include feed and water withdrawal, which can lead to hunger, weight loss, thirst, dehydration, and distress; catching, which can lead to fractures, bruising, distress, fear, and mortality; transportation and lairage, which can lead to thermal stress, distress, dehydration, weight loss, and mortality. Understanding the factors that can lead to negative welfare outcomes is important to make improvements in broiler chicken welfare during the pre-slaughter phase. This article will focus on the animal welfare risk factors in this pre-slaughter phase. Good management of these risk factors can minimize animal welfare concerns.

This is a Graze 300 Virginia video which is part of an Extension initiative to enable Virginia farmers to achieve 300 days of livestock grazing by facilitating better pasture management and environmental stewardship. In this video clip, Tim Mize, Extension Agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension, and Norman Bower, a cooperating farmer, share how a grazing chart can be a roadmap for communicating and planning a farm's grazing plan. For more information about Graze 300 VA and Virginia Cooperative Extension, please visit Graze 300. Funding for the video was generously provided by the Agua Fund to encourage sustainable resilient agriculture and the conservation of important natural resources.

This is a Graze 300 Virginia video which is part of an Extension initiative to enable Virginia farmers to achieve 300 days of livestock grazing by facilitating better pasture management and environmental stewardship. In this video clip, Carrie Swanson, Extension Agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension, discusses and demonstrates the benefits of stockpile grazing with horses. For more information about Graze 300 VA and Virginia Cooperative Extension, please visit Graze 300. Funding for the video was generously provided by the Agua Fund to encourage sustainable resilient agriculture and the conservation of important natural resources.

This is a Graze 300 Virginia video which is part of an Extension initiative to enable Virginia farmers to achieve 300 days of livestock grazing by facilitating better pasture management and environmental stewardship. In this video clip, Carrie Swanson, Extension Agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension, discusses the benefits of a dry lot as a horse and pasture management strategy. For more information about Graze 300 VA and Virginia Cooperative Extension, please visit Graze 300. Funding for the video was generously provided by the Agua Fund to encourage sustainable resilient agriculture and the conservation of important natural resources.

This is a Graze 300 Virginia video which is part of an Extension initiative to enable Virginia farmers to achieve 300 days of livestock grazing by facilitating better pasture management and environmental stewardship. In this video clip, Carrie Swanson, Extension Agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension, discusses the benefits of a dry lot as a horse and pasture management strategy. For more information about Graze 300 VA and Virginia Cooperative Extension, please visit Graze 300. Funding for the video was generously provided by the Agua Fund to encourage sustainable resilient agriculture and the conservation of important natural resources.

This is a Graze 300 Virginia video which is part of an Extension initiative to enable Virginia farmers to achieve 300 days of livestock grazing by facilitating better pasture management and environmental stewardship. In this video clip, Jason Thurman of Lazy Acre Angus, in cooperation with Chris Brown Extension Agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension, explains his farm’s rotational grazing system and how he has incorporated summer annuals such as Sorghum-Sudangrass in the system to improve cow performance during the hot summer months. For more information about Graze 300 VA and Virginia Cooperative Extension, please visit Graze 300. Funding for the video was generously provided by the Agua Fund to encourage sustainable resilient agriculture and the conservation of important natural resources.

This is a Graze 300 Virginia video which is part of an Extension initiative to enable Virginia farmers to achieve 300 days of livestock grazing by facilitating better pasture management and environmental stewardship. In this video clip, Jeanie Layton-Dudding, Extension Agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension, demonstrates how to use a falling plate meter measure the amount of forage available in a pasture and to plan your winter feeding management. For more information about Graze 300 VA and Virginia Cooperative Extension, please visit Graze 300. Funding for the video was generously provided by the Agua Fund to encourage sustainable resilient agriculture and the conservation of important natural resources.