The Spring 2025 Virtual Backyard Chicken Seminar Series is a free educational event open to the public. It consists of two distinct workshops: Chicken Basics and Egg Grader Training.

This series is available multiple times throughout the year at no cost to participants.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Gregory Archer at [email protected]

Chicken Basics Workshop

Dates: March 31 - April 4, 2025
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

This weeklong workshop teaches individuals about management, breeds, nutrition, and health of laying hens.  It also will focus on chickens in relation to the environment and gardening. This workshop includes 5 modules, one module covered each day.

Schedule:
March 31 - Intro, Housing, Lighting
April 1 -Breeds and Nutrition
April 2 - Selling Eggs and Poultry, Food Safety
April 3 - Health and Disease
April 4 - Chickens, Your Garden, and the Environment

Register for Chicken Basics Workshop

Egg Grader Training

Dates: April 22 - 25, 2025
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

This workshop teaches producers to grade eggs for sale according to USDA standards for shell eggs. Additional information discussed in the workshop includes egg composition and structure, factors affecting quality, and egg washing, handling, and storage to preserve quality and safety.
Please refer to the USDA Grading Manual for assistance. Purchase the USDA manual on AgriLife Learn. This workshop includes 4 modules, one module covered each day.

Schedule:
April 22 - Egg Composition and Biology
April 23 - Egg Microbiology and Food Safety
April 24 - Interior Egg Quality and Defects
April 25 - USDA Grading Standards

Register for Egg Grader Training