Bird flu, also known as H5N1 Avian Influenza, continues to threaten Ohio's flocks.

The USDA says more than 3 million commercial chickens and turkeys in Ohio are currently affected by the virus.

But consumers should be aware that the poultry products offered in grocery stores are proven safe.

"USDA, researchers, industry experts have been testing products from impacted animals just to ensure that the processes we have, that our food safety protocols are still holding up," OSU extension educator Haley Shoemaker tells 21 News. "And they are."

At the same time, high prices of poultry products and eggs in grocery stores - exacerbated by the impact of bird flu on flocks - are driving more shoppers to consider purchasing from local producers.

Shoemaker says, those products are not subject to the same testing as commercial products, and the responsibility of guaranteeing food safety falls on the seller.

"It's always a good rule of thumb to chat with the producer you're purchasing any products off of, and learn about their production methods and food safety measures," she notes.

21 News stopped by one poultry farm in Canfield, which offers a range of chicken products and eggs at their self-service stand off of Tippecanoe Road.

The owners, Holly and Dean Wellendorf, tell 21 News because their flock size is significantly smaller than those on commercial farms, they're able to monitor their chickens' health more closely.

"Well, number one, they eat well," Holly said. "We have cream to put on their comb when it gets really really cold, we have antibiotics we keep on hand just in case."

Holly and Dean detail that their chickens eat a diet of fermented feed, fresh kale and greens, kelp, and parsley, which offer more nutritional benefits than a standard feed of corn, grains, and soybeans. The chickens are also free-range, though Holly says they prefer to stay inside their coops and huddle near their heaters in the winter time.

The Wellendorfs add, their customers can find peace of mind about the quality of their goods by seeing where their products come from, and the level of care provided to their flocks.

"The better you try to take care of your animals, the better prepared they are to fight things off," Holly added.