Poultry Program
Poultry is Kentucky's No. 1 agricultural industry as well as the No. 1 food commodity. Poultry production is a $900 million industry in Kentucky. Poultry production is also popular with small flock owners. Poultry are even kept in some cities, though in much-reduced numbers.
Poultry refers to a group of domesticated birds kept for food (meat and/or eggs), fiber (feathers), entertainment (racing, exhibition, hunting, etc.) or work (messenger pigeons). This includes chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, pigeons, guinea fowl, quail (Bobwhite or Japanese), ostrich, emus, etc.
If you have questions regarding poultry production or poultry products, check out our extension publications. If you are interested in a career in the poultry industry, you'll find what you need to know below, or under undergraduate or graduate programs.
Upcoming Events
- Aug. 27 - AFS Welcome Back Picnic
- Sept. 2 - Poultry Poopology 101
- Sept. 5 - Animal & Food Sciences Alumni Reunion
- Nov. 4 - Raising black soldier fly larvae for feeding chickens
- Dec. 2 - Choice feeding as a management tool for chickens
News
- Updated Graduate Student Handbook
7/21•Animal & Food Sciences
Avian Influenza News & Resources
Avian Influenza detected in Henderson County waterfowl - January 18, 2024
Symptoms of HPAI in infected birds include incoordination, droopy wings, lethargy, unwillingness to fly, swimming in circles and head tremors. The main concerns for the spread of the disease lie in domestic flocks, including chickens, turkeys and ducks, though the disease has also been linked to recent large-scale deaths of eagles and vultures. Dr. Casey (Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources veterinarian) shared that this outbreak is unique to those of the past, in that it has also spread to mammals, including one raccoon in Kentucky as well as several bears across North America.
As per the article by WYKT: Waterfowl hunters or people hiking through waterfowl habitats (wetlands, ponds, lakes and streams) are encouraged to take precautions by wearing gloves, changing shoes and disinfecting exposed tools or materials before coming into contact with poultry flocks or other domestic birds at home.
With waterfowl season still open, hunters are urged to follow routine precautions when handling wild game:
- Do not harvest, handle or consume wild birds that are sick or otherwise found dead.
- Dress harvested waterfowl outside or in a well-ventilated area.
- Wear gloves and wash hands with soap and warm water after handling wild birds and disposing of carcasses. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Disinfect any equipment (knives and surfaces) that touch birds. Use dedicated tools for cleaning the game and avoid using them around poultry or pet birds.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke when handling or cleaning game birds.
- Double bag the feathers and other remains. Tie the inner bag, take off your gloves and leave them in the outer bag before tying it closed. Place the bag in the trash and close the lid on the receptacle. Discard in a trash can with a secure lid to prevent scavengers from getting the carcass.
- All game should be thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Do not feed dogs raw or undercooked meat from harvested waterfowl.
If you have multiple bird deaths (wild or domestic), contact the UK Veterinary Diagnostic Lab immediately.
USDA APHIS: 2022-23 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza - February 8, 2022
October 2022 - USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in backyard flocks in Logan County, Kentucky, and Fayette County, Kentucky.
February 2022 - USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial broiler flock in Fulton County, Kentucky. A commercial flock of turkeys has also been confirmed with HPAI in Webster County. In addition, 2 dead snow geese tested positive in Ballard County, 4 hunter-harvested gadwalls tested positive in Henderson County and 4 live mallards tested positive in Meade County.
Avian influenza hit the headlines went it jumped from chickens to humans in Asia. There are many types of avian influenza and the strains that have appeared in Asia are not present in the United States. While keeping chickens outdoors increases their contact with wild birds, it is unlikely that they will be exposed to the deadly strain of avian influenza. Small flock owners should be on the lookout for other strains of avian influenza. A good biosecurity program is essential to keep any disease-causing organisms out of your flock.
Anyone involved with poultry production from the small backyard to the large commercial producer should review their biosecurity activities to ensure the health of their birds. APHIS has materials about biosecurity, including videos, checklists and a toolkit available.
In addition to practicing good biosecurity, all bird owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to state/federal officials, either through their state veterinarian or through USDA’s toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593. Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks.
- Bird Flu - Information for Hunters and Taxidermists
- Bird Flu - Identification and Reporting
- Bird Flu - Considerations for Pets and Non-Farm Animals
- Bird Flu - Cleaning and Disinfection
- Bird Flu - Biosecurity and Prevention
- Avian Influenza in Poultry (University of Florida)
Videos (University of Maryland):
Recurring Events
Undergraduate Programs
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences complete either the Pre-Professional or the Animal Enterprises and Production option.
The Animal Enterprises and Production option allows students to focus their studies on animal care and management and allied areas such as agronomy, accounting, agricultural economics and business. This option prepares students to go directly into careers within the animal agriculture industries. Students can choose to specialize in food animal, equine or no specialization.
There is no poultry-specific specialization, but a poultry science class (ASC 340) is included in the possible courses, and there is flexibility through the Special Problems class (ASC 395 and ASC 399) to develop self-directed poultry-related options.
Graduate Programs
The University of Kentucky Graduate Program in Animal and Food Sciences provides opportunities for advanced study in the discipline of animal sciences. The aim of the program is to develop animal science specialists who are able to function in a variety of sophisticated academic, industrial and professional settings. Specific degree requirements are determined through individual consultation with a faculty advisor (M.S.) or an advisor and a special committee (Ph.D.). Research work in broad areas of nutrition and management and reproductive physiology may be conducted.
Poultry Research Faculty: Dr. Tayo Adedokun
Graduate Students
Doctorate
- Richard Adefioye
- Hansol Kim
- Sammad Olayiwola
Masters
- Julius Alabi
- Elizabeth Meza Robinson
- Megan Bauer. 2023. The effect of exogenous enzyme supplementation on the performance, bone quality, and nutrient utilization of broiler chickens (M.Sc.)
- Adefioye, Richard. 2021. The Effect of Oil Type, Oil Quality, Vitamin E, and Phytase Supplementation on Broiler Performance, Apparent Nutrient and Energy Utilization, and the Fatty Acid Profile of Fat and Liver in Broiler Chickens (M.Sc.)
- Brunnquell, John R. 2020. Optimizing animal welfare in commercial laying hens through novel management practices and farm manager evaluation (Ph.D.)
- Burden, Yemi O. 2020. The role of feed additives in mitigating the effect of stressors on growth, digestibility, intestinal morphology, permeability, and immune response in poultry (Ph.D.)
- Dunaway, Andrew E. 2019. Metabolizable energy determination in broiler chickens. (M.Sc.)
- Nolan, Lauren Wood. 2019. Evaluation of current and emerging techniques for measuring eggshell integrity of the domestic fowl (Ph.D.)
- Paul, Marqisha A. 2019. Microalgae and zinc source supplementation of broiler breeder diets affect broiler breeder skeletal development and reproduction with transgenerational impacts on offspring performance and skeletal characteristics (Ph.D.)
- Bryson, Brian L. 2018. Effect of exogenous enzymes on apparent metabolizable energy value of barley in swine and broiler chickens (M.Sc.)
- Fisher, Tatijana. 2015. Specialty poultry production: Impact of genotype, feed strategies, alternative feedstuffs, and dietary enzymes on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of heritage breed chickens (Ph.D.)
- Manon, Alfredo. 2015. Interaction of dietary supplements of organic trace minerals and phytase on growth performance and mineral metabolism of replacement pullets (M.Sc.)
- Good, Lindsay. 2013. The effects of Actigen and threonine supplementation on growth parameters, immune function, and intestinal health in monogastrics (M.Sc.)
- van Benschoten, Megan D. 2013. Effects of a proprietary mix on productive performance and egg quality of white and brown egg laying hens fed diets high in distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) (M.Sc.)
- Delles, Rebecca. 2013. Dietary antioxidant supplementation (Economase-Bioplex) to alleviate adverse impacts of oxidized oil on broiler meat quality: A chemical, textural, enzymatic, and proteomic study (Ph.D.)
- Quant, Anthony D. 2012. Evaluating the effects of maternal and progeny dietary supplementation of selenium yeast and vitamin E on the performance of broiler-breeder hens and performance and meat quality of progeny (Ph.D.)
- Macalintal, Lizza M. 2012. In ovo selenium (Se) injection of incubating chicken eggs: Effects on embryo viability, tissue Se concentration, lipid peroxidation, immune response and post hatch development (Ph.D.)
- Ao, Tuoying. 2005. Exogenous enzymes and organic acids in the nutrition of broiler chicks: Effects on growth performance and in vitro and in vivo digestion (Ph.D.)
- Xavier, Eduardo. 2003. Effects of phytase in diets containing low-phytate corn and soybean meal on performance, bone traits, and phosphorus excretion of pigs and chicks (Ph.D.)
- Parton, Neil. 2001. Organic selenium in the nutrition of laying hens; effects on egg selenium content, egg quality, and transfer to developing chick embryo. (Ph.D.)
- Traylor, Steven. 2000. Assessment of nutrient bioavailability in meat and bone meal for pigs and chicks (Ph.D.)
- Pierce, James. 1999. Nutritional assessment of conventional and low phytic acid corn for pigs and chicks (Ph.D.)
- Eyigor, Aysegul. 1998. Detection and analysis of cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) genes in Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolates by a polymerase chain reaction and determination of the prevalence of CDT genes and CDT activity in campylobacters isolated from chicken carcasses (Ph.D.)
- Collins, Victoria. 1997. Use of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) in poultry diets: Effect on performance and meat and egg fatty acid composition (Ph.D.)
- Mello, Indaue. 1997. The effect of high oil and high protein varieties of corn on growth performance, carcass yield, and fatty acid composition of broiler chickens (MSc)
- Turner, Maquel. Functionality differences between red and white chicken muscle fibers (MSc)
- Spring, Peter. 1996. Effects of mannan oligosaccharide on different cecal parameters and on cecal concentrations of enteric pathogens in poultry (Joint degree program with Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich)(Ph.D.)
- Gang, L. 1995. Gelatin of myofibrillar proteins isolated from chicken red and white muscles under antioxidative conditions (MSc)
