Want to become more self-sustainable? The agriculture team at University of Guam’s Cooperative Extension & Outreach and Western Pacific Tropical Research Center under UOG’s Land Grant will be hosting a four-hour Backyard Egg Production Workshop next month. 

Each participant will receive two pure-bred Buff Orpington chicks to get their home egg production started.

“Learning to raise hens to provide eggs for your own family and friends is excellent for food security when supply chains are disrupted, but it’s also very fulfilling,” said L. Robert Barber, interim associate director of UOG Extension and a specialist in agricultural economics and sustainability. “However, as with raising any animals, people should be fully aware of the time and resources it takes and what the birds require to be healthy and productive. With this workshop, we will be sharing these realities and offering instruction on proper care for day-old chickens and full-grown hens.”

With the right number of birds, and if proper feed, housing, and care are provided to support the hens’ productivity, a family would no longer need to rely on store-bought eggs. 

Two hens with good genetics can produce about one dozen eggs per week.

The workshop will feature segments on:  

  1. Care for newly hatched chicks 
  2. Care for adult chickens
  3. Housing
  4. Using dry litter for waste management and odor control 
  5. Using the litter as high-fertility mulch for plants 
  6. Food safety when consuming and preparing fresh eggs.

Interested participants can choose from two class options.

Two-session weekday option:

Monday and Wednesday, April 7 and 9 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

One-session weekend option:

Saturday, April 12 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Each session has a $25 workshop fee, which includes the option of receiving two baby chicks the week after the workshop.

To register, please stop in during working hours to the Agriculture & Natural Resources extension office in Room 105 or the College of Natural & Applied Sciences administrative office in Room 202 of the Agriculture & Life Science Building at the University of Guam.