Sessions to aid backyard-flock owners

Owners of backyard poultry flocks will be able to learn more about how to raise their birds and avoid health problems such as avian flu at workshops being offered by the University of Arkansas System’s Division of Agriculture.

“Since avian flu was confirmed in a Boone County flock, we’ve gotten questions from people who have backyard poultry,” Dustan Clark, an extension veterinarian for the division and an associate director of the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, said in a news release. “We hope these workshops will provide a chance to brush up on skills and ask questions about caring for their flocks.”

The first workshop will be held today at 6 p.m. at the Petit Jean Electric Cooperative conference room in Marshall. More information is available at the Searcy County Extension Office at (870) 448-3981. Additional workshops will be held: Thursday, 6 p.m. at the Little Theater, North Arkansas College-South Campus in Harrison. More information is available at the Boone County Extension Office, (870) 7416168.

Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon at the White County Fair Grounds educational building in Searcy. More information is available at the White County Extension Office, (501) 268-5394.

Monday, 6 p.m. at the Marion County Fairgrounds community building in Summit. More information is available at (870) 449-6349.

March 31, 6 p.m. at the Benton County Extension Office in Bentonville. More information is available at (479) 2711060.

Additional information on biosecurity tactics can be found online at tinyurl.com/mafznxu.