Practices, Management and Resource Preferences of Backyard (Hobby) Poultry Owners in Central North Carolina: A Qualitative Study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Backyard, or hobby, poultry ownership is increasingly popular in the United States, driven, in part, by a desire for food security and personal connection with animals. However, backyard poultry ownership can impose public health and biosecurity risks. Backyard poultry-associated Salmonella outbreaks are on the rise. Qualitative studies are needed to obtain updated information on husbandry and biosecurity practices, motivations for ownership, and engagement with available resources. This knowledge can inform contemporary interventions that reduce zoonotic disease risks in backyard poultry settings. OBJECTIVES: To qualitatively assess practices, management, and resource preferences of backyard poultry owners in central North Carolina, a large commercial poultry-producing state, regarding flock management and health and resource preferences. METHODS: During January 2024 to June 2024, we conducted focus groups and individual interviews with 18 North Carolina backyard poultry owners recruited through an online interest group. Discussion topics included flock purpose, management, health, and biosecurity and owners' knowledge base and resource preferences regarding flock management and health. We analysed transcripts using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Participants reported owning small mixed-breed flocks, primarily for egg production and companionship, and maintaining basic biosecurity measures (e.g., handwashing, yard boots). Among the major themes identified, participants considered their poultry as pets, though flocks were managed with a focus on overall herd health. Participants reported independence in treating poultry health conditions at home without veterinary specialist guidance. Online communities of backyard poultry owners and homesteaders were the preferred sources of information and advice. CONCLUSION: A public health approach that frames biosecurity in backyard poultry settings around the pet-owner mindset warrants further exploration as a strategic communication tactic. The potential impact of this approach on educational outcomes, however, remains to be established. Additional resources are needed to successfully bridge the veterinary care gap that exists for some backyard flocks. Future research should investigate cost-effective, owner-friendly interventions related to these efforts.