Pastured poultry keeping is growing in popularity as consumers become more aware of the inhumane conditions under which some are kept. Instead of being confined to cages or barns, pastured poultry range on fresh grass, moving on regularly to a new area. This method of husbandry has a number of advantages.
Disease was often a problem with closely confined chickens, turkeys and ducks. Poor ventilation and a build up of manure could easily result in an outbreak of disease, both respiratory and other. It became common practice to include antibiotics in the feed to help combat this.
Over-crowding led to stressed birds which in turn led to feather-plucking and cannibalistic behavior. Birds were then debeaked to prevent this happening. This might have solved the problem but didn't address the cause. These disorders do not occur in birds raised on pasture.
Breeds designed to produce meat birds are not suited to this system. Heritage breeds are much more inclined to forage for themselves. Although supplemental feed is supplied, modern strains are disinclined to move too far from available food and water. They will eventually lose condition. Older breeds however still instinctively hunt for bugs and grubs.
Modern strains have been bred to develop and mature at a very rapid rate. Meat birds in particular, have been bred to gain weight non-stop from the day they hatch. Some grow so quickly that their legs are barely able to support them. These have lost the instinct to go hunting for their own food and are unlikely to find enough food for their needs.
Predators can be a problem with pastured poultry. Owners cope in various ways. There are dog breeds which are specifically bred as livestock guard dogs. They live with their flock, be it chickens, goats or sheep, and watch over them continually. Maremmas, Komondors and Anatolian Shepherds are the best known breeds for this purpose.
Chickens may be used to follow cattle in a rotational method of agriculture. Chickens replace cattle in an area and immediately begin scratching through the manure. This spreads the manure and helps reduce the numbers of flies.
Electric fencing is also used. Electronet is designed to keep poultry from straying too far afield. Electrified horizontal wires are supported by vertical uprights. These help keep chickens in and may deter some predators. Chickens should be brought into a coop or pen at night. By providing high roosts, chickens will be more inclined to come home in the evenings.
Some producers keep their chickens in covered chicken tractors. These pens have no floors and are moved on to fresh pasture regularly. Predators cannot access these coops. Egg-mobiles cater for laying hens. These too are movable and are equipped with a number of nests. Eggs from hens kept on grass have very yellow yolks and thick albumen.
Contented chickens are believed to give tastier meat and eggs. Living out of doors on green pasture is a very natural way for poultry to exist. Customers pick up fresh produce from the farm and have the chance to get to know the farmer. Pastured poultry is rapidly becoming very popular with consumers.
Disease was often a problem with closely confined chickens, turkeys and ducks. Poor ventilation and a build up of manure could easily result in an outbreak of disease, both respiratory and other. It became common practice to include antibiotics in the feed to help combat this.
Over-crowding led to stressed birds which in turn led to feather-plucking and cannibalistic behavior. Birds were then debeaked to prevent this happening. This might have solved the problem but didn't address the cause. These disorders do not occur in birds raised on pasture.
Breeds designed to produce meat birds are not suited to this system. Heritage breeds are much more inclined to forage for themselves. Although supplemental feed is supplied, modern strains are disinclined to move too far from available food and water. They will eventually lose condition. Older breeds however still instinctively hunt for bugs and grubs.
Modern strains have been bred to develop and mature at a very rapid rate. Meat birds in particular, have been bred to gain weight non-stop from the day they hatch. Some grow so quickly that their legs are barely able to support them. These have lost the instinct to go hunting for their own food and are unlikely to find enough food for their needs.
Predators can be a problem with pastured poultry. Owners cope in various ways. There are dog breeds which are specifically bred as livestock guard dogs. They live with their flock, be it chickens, goats or sheep, and watch over them continually. Maremmas, Komondors and Anatolian Shepherds are the best known breeds for this purpose.
Chickens may be used to follow cattle in a rotational method of agriculture. Chickens replace cattle in an area and immediately begin scratching through the manure. This spreads the manure and helps reduce the numbers of flies.
Electric fencing is also used. Electronet is designed to keep poultry from straying too far afield. Electrified horizontal wires are supported by vertical uprights. These help keep chickens in and may deter some predators. Chickens should be brought into a coop or pen at night. By providing high roosts, chickens will be more inclined to come home in the evenings.
Some producers keep their chickens in covered chicken tractors. These pens have no floors and are moved on to fresh pasture regularly. Predators cannot access these coops. Egg-mobiles cater for laying hens. These too are movable and are equipped with a number of nests. Eggs from hens kept on grass have very yellow yolks and thick albumen.
Contented chickens are believed to give tastier meat and eggs. Living out of doors on green pasture is a very natural way for poultry to exist. Customers pick up fresh produce from the farm and have the chance to get to know the farmer. Pastured poultry is rapidly becoming very popular with consumers.
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