Poultry Industry Survey Reveals Key Trends and Challenges
By Drs. Sunoh Che and Jonathan R. Moyle, University of Maryland Extension
A recent survey conducted by the University of Maryland Poultry Extension has provided valuable insights into the current state of the poultry industry, focusing on both commercial broiler growers and backyard poultry keepers. The study, which updates assessments last conducted in 2017 for commercial broilers and 2011 for backyard poultry, highlights emerging trends, challenges, and the evolving needs of poultry producers.
Commercial Broiler Growers: Growth and Innovation
The commercial broiler sector has experienced notable changes since 2017, with the most significant being an increase in flock sizes. According to the 2025 survey, 64% of growers now manage flocks larger than 80,000 birds per cycle, up from 45.2% in 2017. This shift toward larger operations aligns with ongoing efforts to increase efficiency and scale within the industry.
The survey also found that traditional production methods still dominate, with 48% of growers using conventional systems. However, alternative production systems are on the rise, with 32% adopting No Antibiotics Ever (NAE) or Antibiotic-Free (ABF) methods, 12% utilizing No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine (NAIHM), and 8% operating under organic guidelines.
Key challenges facing commercial growers include rising input costs (42.9%), bird health concerns (28.6%), and regulatory pressures (14.3%). Many growers are looking at automation to enhance efficiency, with priorities such as feeding management (31.8%), bird health monitoring (18.2%), and waste disposal (13.6%). However, barriers such as high initial investment costs (76.2%) and concerns about reliability (14.3%) remain significant hurdles. In order address these challenges, growers have called for greater access to funding (60.9%), technology demonstrations (34.8%), and training programs (4.3%).
Extension training has already played a vital role in improving practices, with 64.3% of growers rating University of Maryland Extension programs as highly useful. Areas of improvement through these programs have included biosecurity, flock performance, and reducing environmental impact.
Backyard Poultry: A Shift in Purpose and Interests
The backyard poultry industry has also evolved since 2011. While chickens remain the most commonly raised species, their share has declined from 86.5% to 73.8%, with ducks (11.7%) and turkeys (10.3%) gaining in popularity. The primary purpose for raising poultry remains home egg production (45.9%), but an increasing interest in meat production has emerged, growing from 2.4% in 2011 to 12% in 2025.
Notably, local egg sales have decreased, falling from 29.3% to 17.3%. Backyard poultry keepers have identified predator control (40.5%), feed costs (28.6%), and the need for research-based education (11.9%) as their main challenges. Educational interests are focused on feed and nutrition (15%), disease prevention (12.7%), and predator protection (9.8%).
The survey also revealed that while most backyard poultry owners rely on online forums, social media, and YouTube for information (41.9%), those who participated in University of Maryland Extension poultry programs found them highly beneficial (97%).
Regulatory awareness remains a key area for improvement. Around 30% of respondents were unaware of egg sales regulations, although 30% are currently selling eggs, with 21% expressing interest in doing so in the future. Looking ahead, 51% of backyard poultry keepers plan to maintain their current flock sizes, while 40% aim to expand.
Moving Forward: Education and Support Remain Crucial
The results of the survey underscore the need for ongoing support and education to help both commercial and backyard poultry producers address emerging challenges. Rising production costs, biosecurity concerns, and gaps in regulatory knowledge highlight the importance of providing targeted training and accessible resources.
The University of Maryland Poultry Extension is committed to supporting the industry through continued educational efforts and innovation. By closing knowledge gaps and fostering technological advancements, the poultry industry can continue to grow sustainably and meet the demands of a changing market.