Pastured poultry is an old idea with contemporary relevance. In the past chickens survived in the jungle or were domesticated to scratch around rural villages omnivorously. They were identifies as an economic resources for exploitation only during the twentieth century and forced into factory farms as human beings found themselves forced into cities.
The human population on planet earth is slated to rise to ten and a half billion souls by the year 2050 if the present rate of increase continues. Though growth rates have recently declined the snowball process of increase that was set rolling in the nineteen century continues to gather speed. Every minute the the population of the Earth grows and conscientious efforts to 'save lives' become more successful. The implications for agriculture are dramatic.
New methods will have to be implemented if famine is to be staved off. Agriculturalists might have received scant appreciation for the improved productivity that has kept food on most tables in the period of population explosion that has already taken place since 1800 but their performance is now coming under increasing pressure.
In the poultry industry large scale operations began midway through the twentieth century. Driven by faith in scientific methods entrepreneurs took over from old fashioned farmers and produced eggs and chickens in factory farms. Layers were squashed into wire cages to lay and broilers were forced to grow for no longer than ninety days in industrial plants.
As large scale agricultural projects were introduced to cope with the growing demand for food in the Post Modern period the environmental movement was born. Warnings about the ill effects of pesticides, chemicals and inhuman agricultural methods were at first dismissed scornfully but a few bouts of new viruses and contagious diseases emanating from agricultural practices soon caused the mood to change. Convictions grew that human welfare is inextricably entwined with respect for all life on Earth.
Keeping birds in pens that can be moved around a field giving the occupants access to new animal and vegetable food fits in well with the notion of sustainable development. Whilst they supplement their diet with free bugs, worms and grass, chickens fertilize the soil and consume many pests without poison.
This fits in well with what organic farming really means. Organic products will command slightly higher prices but this does not completely solve the problems posed by economics. Economies of scale are important in any enterprise and not least so in farming. Factory farming methods were devised with maximum profits and productivity in mind.
A major problem inherent in sustainable development is balance. Optimum productivity is threatened in battery farms because natural balances can only be maintained by artificial means. If small pasture pens contain too many chickens problems such as Avian flu may be more likely to develop than when birds are kept in hygienic factory conditions. A compromises must be sought between productivity and healthy space requirements.
New books and websites on pastured poultry are available online. In the light of current circumstances in world food production they make interesting reading. In recent times the viability of energy collection by means of solar panels has been accepted. In similar style small organic units of food production may be economically and ethically viable.
The human population on planet earth is slated to rise to ten and a half billion souls by the year 2050 if the present rate of increase continues. Though growth rates have recently declined the snowball process of increase that was set rolling in the nineteen century continues to gather speed. Every minute the the population of the Earth grows and conscientious efforts to 'save lives' become more successful. The implications for agriculture are dramatic.
New methods will have to be implemented if famine is to be staved off. Agriculturalists might have received scant appreciation for the improved productivity that has kept food on most tables in the period of population explosion that has already taken place since 1800 but their performance is now coming under increasing pressure.
In the poultry industry large scale operations began midway through the twentieth century. Driven by faith in scientific methods entrepreneurs took over from old fashioned farmers and produced eggs and chickens in factory farms. Layers were squashed into wire cages to lay and broilers were forced to grow for no longer than ninety days in industrial plants.
As large scale agricultural projects were introduced to cope with the growing demand for food in the Post Modern period the environmental movement was born. Warnings about the ill effects of pesticides, chemicals and inhuman agricultural methods were at first dismissed scornfully but a few bouts of new viruses and contagious diseases emanating from agricultural practices soon caused the mood to change. Convictions grew that human welfare is inextricably entwined with respect for all life on Earth.
Keeping birds in pens that can be moved around a field giving the occupants access to new animal and vegetable food fits in well with the notion of sustainable development. Whilst they supplement their diet with free bugs, worms and grass, chickens fertilize the soil and consume many pests without poison.
This fits in well with what organic farming really means. Organic products will command slightly higher prices but this does not completely solve the problems posed by economics. Economies of scale are important in any enterprise and not least so in farming. Factory farming methods were devised with maximum profits and productivity in mind.
A major problem inherent in sustainable development is balance. Optimum productivity is threatened in battery farms because natural balances can only be maintained by artificial means. If small pasture pens contain too many chickens problems such as Avian flu may be more likely to develop than when birds are kept in hygienic factory conditions. A compromises must be sought between productivity and healthy space requirements.
New books and websites on pastured poultry are available online. In the light of current circumstances in world food production they make interesting reading. In recent times the viability of energy collection by means of solar panels has been accepted. In similar style small organic units of food production may be economically and ethically viable.
About the Author:
Find out more about how you can raise healthier chickens using organic products at www.whynotfarm.net now. You can find the simple steps to begin raising chickens that will meet all of your needs when you visit http://www.whynotfarm.net today.
No comments:
Post a Comment