Project Type: Research and Education
Funds awarded in 2020: $279,078.00
Projected End Date: 03/31/2024
Grant Recipient:
Virginia Tech
Region: Southern
State: Virginia
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Leonie Jacobs
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)
Co-Investigators:
John Fike
school of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Va Tech
Dr. John Munsell, PhD
Virginia Tech - Department of Forest Resources and Environmental
Gabriel Pent
Dept. of Crop and Soil Environmental Science, Virginia Tech
Description:
Free-range and USDA-certified organic production of broiler chickens requires some type of outdoor access. Birds don’t seem to always make optimal use of these outdoor spaces, possibly because of the weather — chickens are fickle about their preferences. But it could also be because of range design. A silvopasture system purposely integrates the production of woody vegetation, forage and livestock in the same plot of land, making an excellent system to grow broiler chickens.
Type:
Article/Newsletter/Blog
Target audience:
Farmers/Ranchers
This product is associated with the project "Silvopasture for Poultry Production with Outdoor Access: Impact on animal welfare, economic, and environmental parameters"
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.