The Ministry of Agriculture's Summer Internship Programme took participants on an educational farm tour this week, offering practical experience in poultry production and bird management at two local agricultural sites.
The Day 11 field visit brought interns to Pelle Farm and the All Saints Secondary School Farm, where they observed and engaged with working poultry operations covering breeds, production methods and the day-to-day demands of running a successful poultry enterprise.
At Pelle Farm, owned by former Agricultural Science teacher Kelvin Pelle, interns were introduced to a diverse range of birds, including rheas, ducks and black chickens. Farm staff walked participants through the care, feeding and management practices required for each species.
The group then moved to 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 maintaining pure poultry breeds. Interns observed quails, pheasants, partridges, layer chickens and broilers, learning the distinctions between birds raised for egg production and those bred for meat.
The session covered breeding practices used to preserve desirable genetic traits and demonstrated a practical technique poultry farmers use to determine whether hens are actively laying — checking the spacing between their pelvic bones.
Interns also learned that chickens are photoperiodic birds, meaning daylight exposure directly influences egg production. Longer daylight hours generally result in higher laying rates.
Food safety formed another key component of the visit. The agricultural team explained that eggs should not be washed with water, as doing so strips the shell of its natural protective coating and increases the risk of bacterial contamination. Eggs should instead be gently wiped clean when necessary.
Many participants also had the opportunity to safely handle several of the birds, gaining insight into their behaviour and temperaments.
The Ministry of Agriculture noted that the Summer Internship Programme is designed to expose participants to the many facets of agriculture through practical, hands-on learning that builds technical skills and fosters greater interest in the sector. The programme will continue with additional field visits and training sessions aimed at deepening participants' understanding of agriculture's role in Antigua and Barbuda's economy and food security.
