Poultry ownership is on the rise as interest in locally produced food continues to grow across New England. UConn Extension and regional partners are inviting small-scale and backyard poultry producers to participate in a new survey designed to better understand management practices, biosecurity awareness, and educational needs.
With more households raising chickens and other poultry for eggs and meat, ensuring flock health and food safety has become increasingly important. A single disease outbreak or food safety issue can have ripple effects across the regional food system, impacting both public confidence and producer livelihoods.
The survey is part of a collaborative research effort to assess how backyard and small-scale poultry producers manage safe egg production, flock health, prevent disease, and access reliable information. Results will help inform Extension programming and resource development for a pilot egg HACCP training program tailored to the needs of these producers.
Poultry production plays a key role in strengthening regional food systems. Eggs and poultry products are accessible, nutrient-dense, and well-suited to small farms and household production. At the same time, poultry can carry pathogens such as avian influenza and Salmonella, making proper handling and biosecurity practices essential.
“Small-scale producers are an important part of our local food system,” said Dr. Indu Upadhyaya, associate extension professor and a member of the regional project team. “This project is focused on understanding their best practices for egg safety and providing practical, science-based guidance that fits their operations.” The survey is part of a multistate capacity grant titled “Elevating Egg Safety in Connecticut: A Comprehensive HACCP Framework Informed by Evidence-Based Research.” Dr. Indu Upadhyaya serves as the lead PI, and Dr. Abhinav Upadhyay, Associate Professor of Animal Science at UConn, serves as the co-PI, alongside regional collaborators. Dr. Patrick Baur, Associate Professor at URI, and Terpase Gbaa from URI are also partners on this survey.
Unlike large commercial operations, backyard and small-scale producers are not always subject to the same regulatory requirements and may have limited access to formal training or technical resources. This survey aims to identify gaps in knowledge and barriers to adopting best practices.
Survey findings will be used to:
- Identify common egg production management and biosecurity practices
- Assess knowledge and attitudes related to flock health and egg food safety
- Understand challenges faced by small-scale producers
- Develop targeted educational materials, workshops, and decision tools for improved production of safe eggs.
“Our goal is not to add burden, but to provide meaningful support,” Upadhyaya continues. “We want to ensure that poultry owners have the tools and information they need to provide safe eggs to the community.”
The project builds on ongoing regional efforts to enhance food system resilience, improve animal health, and strengthen connections between research and real-world application.
Small-scale and backyard poultry producers in New England are encouraged to take part in the survey. Participation is voluntary, and responses will help shape future Extension resources and programming.
To participate, visit: http://s.uconn.edu/poultry-survey