By Scout Nelson
Backyard poultry owners can take part in a fall webinar focused on keeping their birds healthy and protected from disease. The online event will provide useful information for people who raise chickens and other poultry at home.
The University of Minnesota Extension, Board of Animal Health, and Department of Health bring poultry disease and flock health experts together for the event. The experts will discuss common health concerns and practical steps backyard poultry owners can take to protect their birds and families.
The webinar, called “Fall poultry flock health check,” takes place Tuesday, October 6, 2026, from 7 to 8 p.m. CDT. The event is held online through Microsoft Teams and is available to backyard poultry producers.
A major topic of the program is highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI. This disease can affect poultry and remains an important concern for flock owners. Learning about disease risks can help producers recognize problems and take steps to reduce the chance of illness spreading among birds.
The webinar also covers poultry-related zoonotic diseases. These are diseases that can spread between animals and people. Understanding these risks helps backyard poultry owners use safer practices when handling birds, eggs, equipment, and other materials around the flock.
Biosecurity is another key topic. Simple biosecurity steps can help limit the spread of disease into and within a poultry flock. Backyard producers can learn how daily practices, cleanliness, and careful contact with birds can support better flock health.
The event is free, but registration is required. Register on the BAH site. Participants who register receive the Microsoft Teams webinar link from the Board of Animal Health. This allows attendees to join the online program and learn directly from poultry and public health experts.
For more information, contact Hope Kassube. Participants who need disability accommodations are encouraged to contact the event organizers two weeks before the program. Requests received after that time are honored whenever possible.
The program will be delivered in English. Interpreter services may be available when requested in advance. This provides an opportunity for more participants to receive information that can help them manage their backyard flocks.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-branex
Categories: Minnesota, Livestock, Poultry