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.

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.

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.