USDA Conducts National Study of Small Enterprise Poultry Operations

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), in collaboration with the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), is conducting a comprehensive national study of the small enterprise poultry industry in the United States.

This study will provide an in-depth look at small enterprise poultry operations, offering new and valuable insights into management and biosecurity practices across this vital segment of the U.S. poultry industry. The findings will help inform producers, policymakers, and animal health professionals, contributing to improved animal health strategies and more resilient poultry systems.

The study consists of one survey that will go out to about 5,000 small enterprise poultry operations nationwide. The survey can be completed by paper, web, or telephone. Selected participants will include U.S. poultry operations with 300 to 74,999 table egg layer inventory; 300 to 199,999 broilers sold or moved annually; or 300 to 59,999 meat turkeys sold or moved annually. Participation is voluntary.

“Small enterprise poultry operations play a critical role in local food systems and rural economies. Your participation in this study is essential to help us better understand your unique challenges,” said Victoria Fields, the NAHMS poultry study lead. “The information you provide is not only vital to the success of this study—it is also strictly confidential. No data will be reported in any way that could identify individual participants. This is your chance to be heard, and we hope you participate.”

Producers who participate in the study will benefit by receiving detailed reports and information sheets that will enable all participants to compare their operations with other operations.

Both participants and the poultry industry will benefit from the following:

  • Benchmark data on important small enterprise poultry health management and biosecurity practices
  • Improved understanding of disease preparedness on small enterprise poultry operations
  • Collection of data that policymakers and industry stakeholders can use to respond to the needs of small enterprise poultry producers
  • Identification of educational needs and opportunities related to poultry health management and biosecurity practices
  • Collection of information that researchers can use in grant applications to support research for important disease or management concerns

For more information about the study, visit www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/nahms/poultry.