Extension offers webinar series on poultry management, disease prevention
Six webinars will be available this spring for poultry owners to learn more about diseases, parasites and other issues that can affect flocks.
March 11, 2026
By Tracy Courage
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Six webinars scheduled March 24 - April 30 via Zoom
- Sessions free; online registration required
- Trainings led by Arkansas, Oklahoma extension experts
(471 words)
LITTLE ROCK — A series of six webinars will be available this spring for poultry owners to learn more about diseases, parasites and other issues that can affect flocks.
Dustan Clark, extension poultry health veterinarian for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and associate director of the university’s Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, is coordinating the free series. The sessions will be taught by extension specialists and faculty with the Division of Agriculture, and Barry Whitworth, senior extension specialist with Oklahoma State University.
“We still have increasing problems with the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and other diseases,” Clark said. “All of the webinar topics relate to poultry management and biosecurity to help owners better protect flocks.”
Two of the six webinars will focus on poultry diseases, including the H5N1 strain of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, which continues to infect poultry in Arkansas and across the country, and coccidiosis.
All webinars will be offered online via Zoom from 6-7 p.m. Sessions are free, and online registration is required.
Both backyard flock owners and commercial operators can benefit from the series, Clark said. The webinars are also a good source of information for the estimated 2,000 members of Arkansas 4-H and FFA who will receive flocks of day-old chicks in April as part of the 4-H Poultry Chain project.
“Poultry Chain teaches youth about animal husbandry and poultry management, so the timing on this webinar series is really helpful,” said Andrew Bolton, 4-H poultry instructor who oversees the annual project. “Our 4-H members have been learning how to care for and manage their flocks, and these webinars can help reinforce those lessons.”
Webinar Series Schedule
March 24 — Update of Poultry Disease Concerns in Commercial and Hobby/Backyard Flocks, Dustan
Clark, extension poultry veterinarian, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Link: https://uada.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_A71WujbVSzOrDaBjnlAqjg
March 31 — Common External Parasites of Poultry, Barry Whitworth, senior extension specialist,
Oklahoma State University Department of Animal and Food Sciences.
Link: https://uada.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Nzwjv_vUQQ-ZikWSHBOh_w
April 2 — Common Internal Parasites of Poultry, Dustan Clark, UADA
https://uada.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1vKL0bUVTiKC67n8qDO66Q
April 7 — Poultry Coccidiosis, Aaron Forga and Taylor Schubauer, University of Arkansas Poultry
Science Department
Link: https://uada.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5aETBa0bT9Cb1w29eyzqrQ
April 21 — The Science of Happy Flocks: Welfare for Chicken Tenders, Shawna Weimer, assistant
professor, University of Arkansas Poultry Science Department
Link: https://uada.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Cx19D5_WQX2Lk6cAUgX3DQ
April 30 — Breeding and Hatching Principles in Hobby and Backyard Poultry Flocks, Sara Orlowski-Workman,
extension specialist and associate professor, University of Arkansas Poultry Science
Department
Link: https://uada.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XoPk3LP3Q6q4ZSF2_cULVQ
Find more information about poultry and register for webinars on extension’s Avian Influenza and Arkansas Poultry webpage.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media Contact: Tracy Courage
Director of Communications-Extension
U of A System Division of Agriculture
501-658-2044