In the next 10 years, experts say half of America's ranchers will retire—leaving ample opportunity for those with poultry and eggs education and training. In the last 15 years, fewer and fewer young people have established themselves in ranching. So if you think poultry farming is for you, now is the perfect time to jump on your dream. If you're worried farming has a poor future, bear in mind that poultry is the most purchased protein in the United States, with more than 100 pounds sold per year for every person in America.
Ideally, your education for running a poultry company should begin in high school. Any work time on a ranch or farm is valuable, but also take agricultural courses (if available) and consider joining 4-H. Once high school is over, however, be sure to do the following:
1. Obtain a college education appropriate for the poultry industry.
2. Join organizations for poultry and eggs education.
3. Read periodicals for those in the poultry and eggs industry.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Secure a formal education for those wishing to venture into the poultry product industry

A good education gives you a firm leg up in this industry. A two-year college education in poultry science or animal husbandry is essential, but don't neglect business courses as well.

I recommend: Find a college offering animal husbandry or poultry science education through a school search database like Degree Finder or U.S. College Search.

Become a member of organizations for poultry, eggs and related fields

Professional organizations do much more than provide business advice and networking. A good organization also provides learning opportunities in the way of journals, books, CDs and DVDs, workshops and seminars. There are a wide variety of associations appropriate for chicken processors and ranchers.

I recommend: American Pastured Poultry Producers' Association is a nonprofit organization offering education and networking for those involved in the production and processing of poultry. United Egg Producers is an educational and advocacy group for everyone involved in the egg industry. The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is the largest organization in the field.

Continue your education through publications for egg and poultry producers

There is a myriad of magazines for professional ranchers and farmers; they include general ranching and farming publications, and magazines targeted to particular fields of interest like organic chicken ranching. Find several publications targeting your field of interest in order to keep up with the latest news, trends and innovations.

I recommend: Meat & Poultry magazine is a publication for business owners in the poultry or meat field. Poultry Science Association publishes Poultry Science magazine and Journal of Applied Poultry Research.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The poultry production industry is competitive. In fact, many poultry processors have waiting lists of farmers and ranchers; as soon as you're ready to begin the business of raising poultry, make sure the poultry industry knows about you.

Good quality poultry and eggs make a huge difference in the quality of the food they go into, so it's important to pick the best possible products to offer to your customer base. With a little bit of research and some good contacts, you can rest assured that you're taking care of your customers and your sales by offering the freshest poultry product on the market.

When you're looking for a connection in the poultry industry, there are a couple different facets of production. You may find multiple suppliers that each handle just one of the following areas or one that covers all aspects of production:

1. Poultry producers

2. Poultry processors

3. Poultry eggs

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find the right poultry production company to meet your needs

Whether you're in the market for whole chickens, eggs or frozen products, there are quite a few suppliers to choose from, many of which may be local to you. Choosing someone close to home gives you the opportunity to check up on production, and you have a local contact in case of problems or questions. This may also be beneficial if you want to help stimulate the local economy or offer some organically grown products to your customers.

I recommend: Find a local poultry supplier. Most states have a poultry board or association, such as the Alabama Poultry Producers, which can assist you in finding a local poultry supplier to suit your needs. The American Pastured Poultry Producers Association is another great resource if you're looking for free-range chicken producers in your area.

Choose a well-known chicken processor for your frozen goods

When you're choosing frozen chickens and poultry products for your store, a name brand does make a difference. Stock your grocery store with a variety of well-known chicken brands to keep sales up and thriving. Many producers offer convenience items such as stuffed chicken breasts or breaded tenders, while others focus on products like kosher chickens and specialty items.

I recommend: Go with the tried and true. Companies like Foster Farms, Barber Foods and Empire Kosher have been around for quite a while, and for good reason. You should also pay close attention to your store's sales to see what brands are selling and which ones are sitting in the freezer.

Keep up with poultry industry news

Chicken processors have to stay on top of the industry; as a grocery store owner you should do the same. Things like avian flu and contamination issues could have a huge impact on your business overnight, so it's important to stay on top of current events in the poultry industry.

I recommend: Subscribe to various poultry company newsletters and some third-party sites to stay abreast of developments in the industry. Check out poultry-specific websites, such as The Poultry Site and Poultry and Egg News, for the latest news and greatest developments.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Always make sure that someone is around to inspect the poultry product before you take delivery. Never allow anyone to do a midnight drop, because you can't check the quality of your poultry and eggs that way.

Getting into the business of poultry and eggs can be profitable. Americans consume billions of dollars worth of poultry and eggs each year. These foods are popular, because they are relatively inexpensive and provide excellent nutrition and protein. Whether you plan to raise, sell or serve poultry and eggs, knowing the key terms of the industry is necessary to get started and stay profitable.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Poultry

When it comes to poultry, most people think of chicken or turkey. There are other types of poultry that are used in food production -- like geese and ducks. Within each type of poultry are dozens to hundreds of breeds.

I recommend: The Department of Animal Science at Oklahoma State University provides a comprehensive list of breeds of poultry, including chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese. Click on each category to see the different variations.

Poultry and egg associations and boards

National boards and associations in the poultry industry are open to all egg and poultry producers. They provide information, statistics and sometimes certification programs. Membership often includes training and events.

I recommend: United Egg Producers is a national association established in 1968 that is open to all egg producers. Its website provides statistics on the U.S. egg industry. The United States Poultry and Egg Association was formed in 1947 and includes producers and processors of poultry.

Certification and labeling

Poultry and eggs are certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for inspecting all food producers. In addition to USDA certification, poultry and eggs can have other labels -- such as free-range or organic -- and may also be voluntarily graded by the USDA and certified by other agencies. Inspection of poultry is mandatory, while grading is voluntary and paid for by the poultry producer.

I recommend: The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers a guide to common poultry labels. United Egg Producers offers a certification program for eggs.

Free-range

Free-range chickens either are free to roam outdoors or have some access to the outdoors. Free-range chicken is often reported to be healthier and taste better than factory farmed chicken.

I recommend: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals stresses the fact that passing USDA requirements does not mean the animal spends time outdoors, but only has access to the outdoors. To make sure you're getting truly free-range chicken, it's best to check out the farm personally.

Organic

Organic food production uses farming methods that do not involve pesticides and fertilizers and foods that have no added preservatives or artificial ingredients.

I recommend: The Organic Trade Association gives a full definition and provides FAQs about organic practices and certification.

Safe handling

Bacteria can exist on raw or undercooked poultry and eggs, resulting in illnesses like Salmonella food poisoning. If you process or serve poultry or eggs, become familiar with safe handling practices.

I recommend: Clemson University lists guidelines for the safe handling of eggs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers safe handling tips for poultry.

Poultry and eggs safety measures are important in all phases of the poultry industry. Whether you raise poultry, sell poultry and eggs or prepare them for a restaurant or other food service business, safety is one of the most important aspects.

Improperly prepared poultry, eggs and other foods can cause a range of bacteria-based illnesses, including campylobacter, salmonellosis, and E. coli. Food borne illness and product recalls can spell disaster for a food processor or restaurant. To reduce the risk, businesses who deal with eggs, poultry and related foods should:

1. Choose poultry producers that follow safe practices and are inspected and certified;

2. Handle eggs and poultry as recommended;

3. Prepare and cook poultry and eggs according to safety standards.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Follow poultry and eggs safety tips when raising poultry

Small producers and farms can have an advantage over larger companies by following safety standards and using organic methods. Besides producing products that are safe, they also may have a higher perceived quality and a connection with the local community.

I recommend: The Small Farm Resource provides information on safety and handling methods for small poultry producers. Lion's Grip gives information on raising chickens using natural or organic methods.

Look for poultry processors that follow voluntary and required programs

Poultry and eggs are certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for inspecting all food producers. Inspection of poultry is mandatory. In addition, a poultry company may pay for grading services by the USDA and participate in local or national programs and certification processes.

I recommend: The United States Department of Agriculture gives information about regulations and policies affecting poultry and eggs. United Egg Producers offers the Total Quality Assurance Food Safety Program to assist egg producers and processors in meeting guidelines for food safety.

Follow safe-handling procedures of a poultry product

There are many guidelines for handling poultry and eggs. They include safety practices used in selecting a poultry product, storing, cleaning and preparing.

I recommend: The United States Food and Drug Administration provides information about the safe handling and preparing of food. The American Egg Board and The Egg Salad Gourmet give tips for handling eggs. Whole Foods Market offers information about choosing, refrigerating and handling poultry.