This publication is part of a series which seeks to raise awareness amongst policymakers and agricultural support services in low and middle income countries about sustainable income generation opportunities for small-scale farmers and local communities. It contains guidance on the keeping of poultry, and topics discussed include: the history of domestic poultry production, its contribution to sustainable rural livelihoods, key components of rural poultry production, diversification and intensification issues, utilisation of poultry products. It includes examples of case studies of poultry production schemes in Bangladesh, South Africa, Guatemala, Cambodia and the Philippines.