Survey based and anecdotal observations demonstrate that backyard poultry ownership is increasing nationally and in California. At the same time, Californias ability to provide resources to backyard poultry owners is limited.
Maurice Pitesky, DVM, MPVM, DIpl. ACVPM mepitesky@ucdavis.edu Dr. Pitesky is an Assistant Specialist in Cooperative Extension in Population Health & Reproduction at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. His faculty appointment is in poultry health and food safety epidemiology.
The farm is a poultry focused research, innovation and outreach hub for non-conventional free-range and pastured poultry producers (layers and broilers), master gardeners, backyard enthusiasts, educators, academia, students, food producers, food buyers, food safety and animal welfare auditors.
In response to the unprecedented growth in backyard poultry farms and the limited resources available to them, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) sponsored the Train the Trainers: Poultry event--co-hosted by UC Cooperative Extension and the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
Senior design project on how to use sensors to monitor poultry's movements and ambient environment: Poultry Data Acquisition Senior design project on how to use Black Soldier Fly larvae as supplemental poultry feed: Black Soldier Fly Learn more about and view clips from the project here.
The Science of Incubation (UCD) Nutrition Basics (UCD) Clean Water: An important step for happy and healthy chickens (UCD) Building a Backyard Coop (UCD) All-In-All-Out Poultry Management (UCD) Euthanasia (UCD) Fecal Comparison (AllTech) Common Pests of Poultry (Veterinary Entomology) Registered Pes...
As part of a grant from UC Davis Global Affairs, members of the Pitesky lab were part of a team that built and trained female farmers in pastured poultry. Eggs were sold as part of a local co-op.
Working with a NGO in country, we are working to improve village poultry production and improving the diagnostic lab capabilities for detection of animal diseases and feed quality.
Below are some resources that help provide more information on COVID-19 and its effect on Food Safety. Food Safety and Coronavirus: A Comprehensive Guide This article helps answer common questions people may have on Coronavirus and food safety.
