Organic poultry production offers opportunities to a range of producers. It can complement an existing grain or livestock operation, provide a low capital cost start-up, short-term option for those new to livestock production, or provide larger-scale possibilities to those transitioning conventional poultry operations to certified organic production.
One of the principles of raising organic livestock is that the animals need to be able to express their natural behaviour. Natural behaviours of poultry include pecking, scratching, and foraging for feed. Birds run, stretch their wings, fly short distances, sun themselves and dust bathe.
Negative behaviours, such as feather pulling and cannibalism are stress related. By providing good nutrition, adequate floor and nest space, appropriate lighting and by providing roosts much stress-related behaviour can be avoided. Research shows that when over 66 percent of the birds in a poultry operation are actively using an outdoor run the incidence of severe feather pecking disappears.
Some producers using a large-scale commercial model of production rely on common commercial breeds. These birds are bred for very rapid early weight gain, and this can cause problems. It is usually necessary to limit feed in the first few weeks to allow body structure to keep pace with weight gains, otherwise birds may be crippled. Smaller ‘backyard’ producers commonly use hybrids (e.g. Cornish Cross) or specialize in rare or heritage breeds that utilize pasture better and are more mobile and hardier.
Here on the prairies, we are lucky to have ready access to affordable organic feed grains: wheat, peas, barley, oats, flax, hemp, alfalfa and screenings. Usually rations are supplied according to three stages: starter, grower, and layer rations reflect decreasing protein requirements. An organic pre-mixed complete ration assures the producer of a balanced diet, and is great for producers without a land base to grow their own grains, but it may be costly and hard to get. Another option is to purchase organic concentrate (vitamin, mineral and/or protein) and mill it with available grains. Poultry do best with a combination of seeds and grains, insects and forages. Grit (sand and gravel) helps digest whole grains.
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