New group to represent small poultry growers UMaine Extension veterinarian spearheads effort

AUGUSTA – A fledgling poultry association will hold its inaugural meeting at the Maine Department of Agriculture Trade Show in Augusta in January.

Owners of small poultry flocks from across the state have formed the Maine Alternative Poultry Association, according to Dr. Michael Opitz, UMaine Cooperative Extension veterinarian who is organizing the effort.

Opitz said that although there are other small-bird groups, such as the Maine Caged Bird Association and the Maine Pigeon Association, there was no group that provided representation for those growing poultry on a small scale either for their own or commercial consumption.

The group will serve farmers and others who have less than 2,000 laying hens or 10,000 meat birds and will specifically serve those with niche markets, such as organic farmers and those raising birds free-range style.

Small producers have unique problems, said Opitz, including disparities between state regulations and U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations for poultry processors. USDA issued new regulations in January 1999, said Opitz, which have affected the producers’ abilities to process their birds. “These regulations do not affect anyone who has birds slaughtered for their own consumption,” he said, “but rather those who sell the meat.”

“There are only about a dozen poultry processors in the entire state of Maine,” said Opitz. “Some people were unable to get their birds processed at all.”

These inconsistencies will be a priority for the new association, said Opitz, and a topic of discussion at the trade show meeting. “There are a number of overlapping issues and we felt that some sort of umbrella organization could be very useful and important,” said Opitz.

Under the guidance of the UMaine Cooperative Extension, MAPA evolved from a series of educational meetings on poultry farming held around the state within the last two years.

“There is a lot of interest in becoming more efficient and more profitable in the practice of raising a wholesome poultry product for a growing market,” said Opitz.

The veterinarian said that according to the 1999 USDA farm census, there are 700 small poultry operations in Maine. “MAPA can be another voice for Maine growers,” he said.

Anyone interested in joining MAPA may contact Opitz at 581-2771.