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FreeBirds project advances organic production


BY TONY MCDOUGAL F


ree-range hens on various outdoor runs should be ro- tated to reduce accumulation and the risk of nutrient losses, while producers should look to rotate crops with high phosphorus needs. The conclusions follow


a study by Valentina Ferrante, senior poultry researcher at the University of Milan, Italy, into soil organic matter and nutrient levels in different organic poultry runs. The study is particu- larly important given the drive of the European Commission’s Farm to Fork strategy to reduce ammonia emissions, as well as leaching and the runoff of nitrates and phosphorus. In or- ganic hen husbandry, the excretion of nitrogen (N) and phos- phorus (P) in the outdoor run generally far exceeds its uptake by vegetation. Past research has shown that N and P losses from the out- door run depend on the amount and composition of the ma- nure deposited, its distribution and the nutrient uptake by vegetation. Hens tend to remain close to the henhouse, meaning that an accumulation of droppings takes place. This area is often bare and highly loaded with N and P nutrients, plus the infectious stages of helminths and coccidia. Dr Fer- rante outlined that this research was carried out on three farms – farm A (forest environment/heavy soil), farm B (or- chard setting/light soil)) and farm C (artificial shelter/light soil). Soil samples (24 in all) were taken on each farm at dif- ferent distances from the house (5, 20 and 50m) and at one position out of the range as a test at depths of 0-10cm and 10-30cm. Analysis was carried out to determine dry matter, pH, organic carbon, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen and available phosphorus (Olsen method).


Soil contamination She said that hen droppings contributed to maintaining a soil pH above neutral (7) and up to 7.5 close to the poultry house. Unexpectedly, total nitrogen concentrations showed an increasing trend with distance away from the poultry house, with the highest values in the test areas. The same applied to organic carbon in farm C with a sandy soil, where


The aim of the pan-European FreeBirds project has been to develop successful husbandry practices in organic production to ensure chickens spend more time outdoors. Poultry World reports on some of the conclusions highlighted in a recent webinar on this multifaceted project.


the differences were more pronounced than for N. This is presumed to be due to the hens’ presence which reduces the vegetation cover on the soil and makes it more prone to organic matter loss. She concluded by saying high values were found for both ni- trate nitrogen (>50mg NO3-N/kg) and Olsen phosphorus (maximum values at 500-1000mg P/kg), particularly in areas close to the poultry house and for the most superficial soil level. “This is the most critical point in the results, represent- ing a strong accumulation, especially of phosphorus, and a risk in terms of runoff and leaching of two elements that can contribute to surface water (particularly P) or groundwater (particularly N) contamination.”


Choosing the right bird Being in touch with and caring for the land and environment is essential in organic farming. But choosing the right com- mercial layer hybrid for organic egg production is equally as important for production that is both environmentally and economically sustainable. Webinar spreaker Anja Brinch Rib- er, from the Department of Animal Science at Aarhus Univer- sity in Denmark, looked at the welfare parameters for Bovan Brown birds and Dekalb Whites. From a major study done by Aarhus University, she concluded that Bovan Browns fared better than or equally as well as Dekalb Whites (see box). The study monitored the two commercial layer hybrids for egg production and welfare issues. Dekalb Whites found shelters in the organic ranges to be particularly important and were used frequently. The research monitored Bovan Brown (BB) and Dekalb White


▶ POULTRY WORLD | No. 4, 2021 9


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