Ministry Agriculture Interns Gain Hands-On Poultry Farming Experience

The Ministry of Agriculture’s Summer Internship Programme continued this week with a hands-on visit to two local farms, giving participants practical experience in poultry production and bird management.

The Day 11 educational tour took interns to Pelle Farm and the All Saints Secondary School Farm, where they learned about poultry breeds, production methods and the daily operations involved in running successful poultry enterprises.

At Pelle Farm, owned by former Agricultural Science teacher Kelvin Pelle, interns were introduced to a range of birds, including rheas, ducks and black chickens. Farm staff explained the care, feeding and management practices required for raising the different species.

The group later visited the All Saints Secondary School Farm, where members of the school’s agricultural team led an interactive session on poultry production and the importance of preserving pure poultry breeds.

Participants observed quails, pheasants, partridges, layer chickens and broilers while learning the differences between birds raised for egg production and those bred for meat.

The session also explored breeding practices used to maintain desirable genetic traits and demonstrated how poultry farmers determine whether hens are actively laying eggs by checking the spacing between their pelvic bones.

Interns learned that chickens are photoperiodic birds, meaning the amount of daylight they receive influences egg production, with longer daylight hours generally resulting in higher laying rates.

Food safety was another focus of the visit. The agricultural team explained that eggs should not be washed with water because doing so removes the shell’s natural protective coating, increasing the risk of bacterial contamination. Instead, eggs should be gently wiped clean when necessary.

Many of the interns also had the opportunity to safely handle several of the birds while learning about their behaviour and temperaments.

The Ministry of Agriculture said the Summer Internship Programme is designed to expose participants to the many facets of agriculture through practical learning experiences that build technical skills and encourage greater interest in the sector.

The programme will continue with additional field visits and training sessions aimed at broadening participants’ understanding of agriculture’s contribution to Antigua and Barbuda’s economy and food security.

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