USDA offering free webinar to promote Bird Health Awareness Week

The week of February 24 – March 2, 2013 is Bird Health Awareness Week. Activities and programs offered throughout the week will give students, bird lovers and poultry owners the opportunity to learn simple steps to keep their flocks healthy. Bird Health Awareness Week is part of the USDA Animal and Plant Inspection Service’s (APHIS) Biosecurity for Birds campaign to promote awareness of and ways to prevent the spread of infectious poultry diseases.  USDA will be offering a free webinar during Bird Health Awareness Week, called, Growing Chicks into Healthy Chickens: Getting Ready for Spring. The webinar will feature Andy Schneider, The Chicken Whisperer; Dr. Martin Smeltzer, USDA poultry veterinarian; and Dr. Claudia Dunkley, University of Georgia poultry scientist. The webinar will provide information and tips on raising healthy backyard poultry. Click here for more information and registration information.