Kentucky is number 7 nationwide in terms of broiler production (308 million boilers)
Over 1 billion eggs, worth $215 billion, were produced in Kentucky (USDA.gov)
The broiler-breeder industry in Kentucky employs approximately 6,300 people and generates an additional 20,444 jobs in related industries
Over 850 large scale poultry farms, 3,000 poultry houses in 45 counties
- The average poultry farm is owned and managed by a family farmer and consists of fewer than five poultry houses
The average poultry farm is owned and managed by a family farmer and consists of fewer than five poultry houses
Over 50% of poultry farmers are, or were, tobacco farmers
Many farmers entered the business to diversify their revenue because of their concerns about tobacco's future. Kentucky also produces poultry for commercial processing plants located in Tennessee and Indiana
Kentucky's poultry industry is the largest buyer of Kentucky corn and soybeans— about 25%.
Large investment in facilities statewide: 5 broiler hatcheries, 2 breeder hatcheries, feed mills, 4 processing plants, layer complexes, and a protein conversion plant
References
Fanatico, A. C., P. B. Pillai, J. L. Emmert, and C. M. Owens (2007). Meat Quality of Slow- and Fast-Growing Chicken Genotypes Fed Low-Nutrient or Standard Diets and Raised Indoors or with Outdoor Access. Poultry Sci. 86(10), 2245–2255.
J. Bartlett (2011). Pastured poultry production. Tuskegee University Extension. Unpublished data.
Kentucky Poultry Industry Facts (2014). http://www.kypoultry.org/pfacts/
Bebe, F. N., I. M. Ogunade, A. I. Tope, S. Patel (2019). Improving the performance and health of pasture-based poultry with phytobiotics and symbiotics. USDA Evans-Allen proposal.
Kentucky State University is an equal opportunity provider.