This manual is designed to provide development workers with the information and tools needed to begin or to improve poultry production. Covered in the individual chapters are the following topics: the nature and scope of poultry production, assessment of local poultry selections, basic information about chickens, country chickens, poultry husbandry, housing and equipment, maintenance of chicken health, feed and nutrition, poultry marketing and finances, and poultry extension. Appendixes to the manual include an examination of housing designs, discussions of poultry other than chickens, farmer-specific assessment criteria, a feed formulation chart, feed requirements, and a bibliography. A glossary concludes the manual. (MN)