All poultry owners, regardless of scale or purpose must meet legal requirements for poultry ownership. These responsibilities include maintaining the health and welfare of the birds and managing disease and biosecurity.

If you're considering owning backyard chickens for pets or to produce their own eggs, you need to be familiar with these requirements.

Ownership and commercial production of poultry species other than chickens and ducks is limited. These other industry sectors are very small with independent operators supplying niche markets for meat, eggs, and poultry products. Opportunities are limited by cost of production, limited genetic stock, lack of processing capacity, market volatility and limited marketing channels.

There are few specific resources for these species, however, poultry industry resources may be relevant and provide guidance.