The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is eggcited to host Cooptastic, an event like no other! Cooptastic is a conference designed specifically to cover information related owning and managing backyard flocks.

What is Cooptastic?

Cooptastic is made just for backyard flock poultry owners. It is open to all current or future backyard flock owners from across Alabama and the nation. At this conference, you will join your fellow feathered-friend enthusiasts to learn about the ins and outs of keeping chickens. Chickens are great fun to keep and can be kept for both egg and meat production.

Alabama Extension wants you to have access to the highest quality information possible because you and your flock deserve only the best. At the end of the day, you are responsible for the decisions affecting your flock. At this event, poultry professionals will help you make those decisions by arming you with specific information designed for backyard flock owners.

When: March 15–16, 2024

Where: Alabama 4-H Center, 892 Four H Road Columbiana, AL 35051

Event has passed

Cooptastic 2024 Agenda

Friday, March 15, 2024 — Alabama 4-H Center

• 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Environmental Science Education Center)
  • Cooptastic Opens
  • Poultry Vendor Gallery Opens

Hobby Farm to Business Track (Discover Shelby Room)

• 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
  • Marketing Basics for Home Sale versus Farmers Markets — Rilea Robinson, Alabama Extension at Auburn University
• 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
  • Things to Consider for a Small Business — Rilea Robinson, Alabama Extension at Auburn University
• 11:00 a.m.–Noon
  • How to Write a Business Plan — Calen Monroe, Alabama Extension at Auburn University
• Noon–1:00 p.m.
  • Lunch
• 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
  • How to Apply for USDA, FSA, or Small Business Development Grants — Calen Monroe, Alabama Extension at Auburn University
• 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
  • Diversifying Your Poultry Operation — Jonathan Moyle, University of Maryland Extension
• 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
  • How to Price Your Product for Profit — Jonathan Moyle, University of Maryland Extension

Homesteading Track (ESE Center Auditorium)

• 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
  • Canning Poultry Meat — Janet Johnson, Alabama Extension at Auburn University
• 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
  • Egg Preservation Techniques — Janet Johnson, Alabama Extension at Auburn University
• 11:00 a.m.–Noon
  • Dehydrating & Smoking Poultry Meat — Amit Morey, Auburn University
• Noon–1:00 p.m.
  • Lunch
• 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
  • Processing Your Own Chickens — Juan Figueroa, Auburn University
• 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
  • Grading & Sizing Your Eggs — Montana Riggs, Auburn University
• 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
  • Alternative Chicken Feed Ingredients — Samuel Rochell, Auburn University
• 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
  •  Homeschooling Resources to Include Poultry — Madalyn Jennings, Auburn University

Saturday, March 16, 2024 — Alabama 4-H Center

• 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Environmental Science Education Center)
  • Cooptastic Opens
  • Poultry Vendor Gallery Opens

Beginning Poultry Track (Discover Shelby Room)

• 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
  • General Chicken Husbandry — Eric Stromberg, Stromberg’s
• 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
  • Coop Care & Maintenance — Jonathan Moyle, University of Maryland Extension
• 11:00 a.m.–Noon
  • Chicken Nutrition 101 — Joseph Gulizia & Isaac Patino, Auburn University
• Noon–1:00 p.m.
  • Lunch
• 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
  • Breeds to Meet Your Needs — Brigid McCrea, Alabama Extension at Auburn University
• 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
  • Brooding 101 — Matthew Hughes, Auburn University
• 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
  • Principles of Biosecurity — Dianna Bourassa, Alabama Extension at Auburn University

Advanced Poultry Keeper Track (ESE Center Auditorium)

• 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
  • Incubation 101 — Peyton Taylor, Mississippi State University
• 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
  • Selective Breeding 101 — Keith Bramwell, Jamesway Incubator
• 11:00 a.m.–Noon
  • Raising Waterfowl 101 — Marc Metzer, Metzer Farms
• Noon–1:00 p.m.
  • Lunch
• 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
  • Show Chickens 101 — Cherie Sintes-Glover, Chickens For Eggs
• 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
  • Poultry Behavior 101 — Bethany Baker-Cook, Auburn University
• 3:00 p.m –4:00 p.m.
  • Poultry External Parasites 101 — Andrea Pietruska, Auburn University
• 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
  • First Aid for Chickens — Olivia Lockyear and Laura Huber, Auburn University

Thank You to Cooptastic’s Sponsors!

Thank you to all of the sponsors of the 2024 Cooptastic conference for their continued support of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System!

More Information

• Brigid McCrea
  • 233 Duncan Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849
  • (334) 750-5213
  • mccreba@aces.edu