Alabama Extension Hosts Two-Day Cooptastic Conference for Backyard Chicken Owners

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System wrapped up Cooptastic, a two-day conference for small flock and backyard chicken owners, at the Opelika Public Library on 1100 Glenn Street. The Autauga County Extension Office announced the event, which ran March 13 and 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Presented by Alabama Extension at Auburn University, the conference drew together backyard poultry owners for research-based programming that spanned beginner to more advanced topics. Each day carried four sessions, with poultry professionals guiding attendees through management decisions specific to small and backyard flocks kept for egg and meat production.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System described the event as a gathering where "fellow feathered-friend enthusiasts" could learn the ins and outs of keeping chickens, with content designed to be accessible across skill levels. The programming was grounded in research rather than general advice, with poultry professionals walking owners through decisions they face in day-to-day flock management.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System operates jointly through Alabama A&M University and Auburn University and noted that everyone is welcome, asking attendees with accessibility needs to make those known in advance.

Those seeking more information about Cooptastic or future Alabama Extension poultry programming can reach Brigid McCrea at mccreba@aces.edu or (334) 750-5213. County-level Extension contacts are available through the system's office directory at aces.edu/directory.