Integrating Free Range Poultry with Ruminant and Agroforestry Production in a Systems Approach

Determine impact of integrating poultry with ruminant grazing on animal and poultry performance

Study 1. Free choice Feeding of Free-range Chickens

Specialty poultry production is growing, including free-range, organic, and small flocks. Feed is a high cost, particularly for organic and small-scale producers. Free-choice feeding, where feed ingredients are provided in separate containers, may offer cost savings, including the use of on-farm ingredients, reduction in feed transportation, and milling costs. A study was conducted to determine the impact of free-choice feeding on performance in free-range meat chickens. Pens of slow-growing chickens (20 birds per pen) were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: fully formulated diet (FF; control) or free-choice (FC) diet. There were 5 replications of these treatments. Birds were raised in floor pens in a naturally ventilated house; popholes provided access to grassy yards during the day. During the starter period (weeks 0-3), formulated feed was provided to both treatments. During the grower period (weeks 4-6), FC treatment also received formulated feed along with free-choice ingredients for training, and during the finisher period (weeks 7-12), FC only received free-choice ingredients. Birds were commercially processed at 83 days. The formulated diet was a commercial product with an average of 20.75% crude protein (1.04% total sulfur amino acids); while the free-choice diet chosen by birds at 11 weeks was 13.2% crude protein (0.70% total sulfur amino acids).   Final live weights did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05); however, ready-to-cook yield and breast yields were higher in the birds from the FF treatment (P < 0.05). These higher yields are most likely due to amino acid supplements in the formulated feed.   The diet chosen by FC birds at end of finisher period was less expensive than the formulated diet ($0.07/kg vs. $0.08/kg). These data indicate that while free-choice feeding of free-range chickens resulted in a 1.4% lower breast yield than formulated feeding, FC feed cost was lower.   The USDA National Organic Program is planning to ban synthetic methionine, and when that occurs, there may be no difference in yield among birds from formulated and free-choice diets.

A manuscript describing this study was published in the Journal of Applied Poultry Research. See Publication List and Information Product. Research was presented at the Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting 2010.

Study 2. Choice Feeding of Organic Meat Chickens

Specialty poultry production is growing, including free-range, organic, and small flocks; however, feed is a high cost.   Choice feeding, using a high-protein feed with mineral and vitamin supplements provided separately from a grain feed, may allow birds raised in relatively open housing with largely uncontrolled environmental conditions to more precisely meet their nutritional requirements by self-selection compared to a fully-formulated diet. Choice feeding may also allow producers to use feed grains produced on their own farms in order to reduce transportation and milling. A study was conducted to determine the impact of choice feeding on performance in organic meat chickens. Pens of medium-growing chickens (20 birds per pen) were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: fully formulated diet (FF) or choice (C) diet. There were 4 replications of these treatments. Birds were raised in floor pens in a naturally ventilated house; popholes provided access to grassy yards during the day. During the starter period (0-27 d), the C treatment received formulated feed as well as high-protein feed and grain, but during the grower/finisher period (28-64 d), only high-protein feed and grain. Birds were commercially processed at 64 days. The organic formulated diet had 21% CP, while the choice diet selected by birds from 28-34 d had 13.2% CP and the choice diet at 57-64 d was 12% CP. Performance data were subjected to a t-test. There was no difference between treatments in terms of weight gain during the grower/finisher period, but overall weight gain was higher for FF birds (P<0.05). However, feed intake was higher and feed efficiency was inferior for FF birds compared to C (P<0.05). Although carcass weights and breast fillet weights were heavier in FF birds, there was no difference in yields (carcass, breast, wing, or leg) between treatments (P>0.05). The Choice diet was less expensive than the Fully Formulated diet ($0.58/kg based on the diet selected the last week of production vs. $0.66/kg). These data indicate that while FF birds gained more weight than C, feed efficiency was poor and the opportunity for organic chickens to self-select feeds may be more efficient and save costs.

Research was presented at the Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting 2011 and a manuscript is under development.

Study 3. Forages for Free-range Chickens

A trial was conducted to investigate various forages for pastured poultry.  Six-week-old meat birds were used. The birds were randomly assigned to one of 4 forage treatments (6-7 birds per pen). The treatments were 1) Lespedeza, 2) Soybean, 3) Chicory, and 4) Mixed grass. Pastured poultry pens were placed in these forage areas and moved daily. There were 3 replications of these treatments. Variables analyzed included performance (weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, mortality). Feed and birds were weighed when 6-week old birds are placed on treatments and at the end of the trial at 10 weeks of age. Cloacal swabs were taken from 9 birds per treatment (3 birds per replication) at 6 weeks and 10 weeks of age for Salmonella spp and Campylobacter jejuni. At the end of the trial, birds were donated to a local 4-H group to be auctioned for fund-raising. The means of the weight gains per chick for the 4 weeks of growth were: lespedeza (930g), grass (880g), soybean (780g), and chicory (720g). Salmonella was not detected. Lespedeza has less stem than chicory and possibly less fiber.

Study 4. Impact of Integrating Free-range Meat Chickens with Lamb

A trial was set up to determine the impact of grazing lambs with pastured poultry on meat chicken performance and parasite infection level of lambs. Chicks were brooded at PPPSRU and then placed on pasture at DBSFRC at 2 weeks during summer months. Naked Neck chickens, a slow-growing commercial hybrid that grows to 4.5 lb liveweight in 10 weeks, were raised. Birds (10 per pen) were housed in the “pastured poultry pens”. The pens were moved daily to fresh pasture. Pens have bird doorways or “popholes” that can allow them out of the pens daily into a larger area enclosed by an electrified net fence. Fully formulated feed was provided in the hut area, while water and grit were provided in the run. Only natural light was used. The birds were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 1) pastured poultry with lambs (Lamb) and 2) pastured poultry with no lambs (No Lamb). Pastured poultry pens in Lamb Treatment were placed in a one-acre paddock that was subdivided into 7 sub-paddocks. Lambs were moved daily to the next sub-paddock and after 7 days, returned to the beginning spot. Pastured poultry pens followed the lamb rotations by one day. This pasture was tall fescue (endophyte-infected), Bermuda, vetch (gone by July), soybean, and chicory. Pastured poultry pens in No Lamb Treatment were placed in a neighboring pasture (tall fescue and lespedeza), where there were no lambs. There were four replications of these treatments.   Variables for analysis included performance (weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, mortality, microbial status, temperature in hut and in the run). Unfortunately, the trial had to be canceled before completion because the lambs were not parasitized enough for a meaningful evaluation. Birds were kept in pastured pens and preliminary data collected until 6 weeks of age when they were used for a poultry forage trial (described above). It was also problematic to allow the birds out of the pens into a larger fenced area, because of the number of portable net fences required.

Study 5. Impact of Integrating Free-range Layer Chickens with Lamb

Fayoumi and Hamburg pullets were raised to 19 weeks at PPPSRU. Fayoumi were selected due to their heat tolerance. At the DBSFRC, the birds were placed in 3 x 8 ft “pastured poultry pens,” pens with a small hut with an attached run. The run was floorless so birds could access pasture. The birds (n = 10 per hut; n = 2 huts per pasture) were placed in a one acre pasture with weaned lambs (n = 10/pasture), and there were two pasture replicates with birds (and two without). The pens were moved daily to fresh pasture. Feed was provided in the hut area, while water and grit were provided in the run. Due to the extreme heat and drought in Arkansas during the summer of 2011, the layers and lambs were kept on the pasture for one week and then were removed for welfare reasons.

Study 6. Impact of Integrating Free-range Layer Chickens with Cattle

The Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture raised heritage breeds Dominique and Golden Laced Wyandotte chicks in a fixed house to 18 weeks for transfer to portable houses as layers. The portable houses were 7 x 3 ft hoophouses designed to follow the cattle in rotationally grazed paddocks. Staff at the Kerr Center were not successful at getting the pullets to adapt to their new portable housing, and due to high heat in summer 2011, the birds did not work out as layers.   Kerr Center observed that mob-grazed cattle are often moved so frequently (even daily) that it may become a burden to move a pastured layer house as frequently.

Kerr Center tried a second batch in 2012. They raised heritage breeds, Delaware and Wyndotte, to integrate with cattle production. Due to two previous years of low rainfall, results regarding the potential of poultry to reduce cattle parasites were not conclusive. During periods of drought, parasites are less active in the forage sward and cattle less likely to ingest them. In addition, hay had to be fed during the drought, which reduced ingestion of parasites. Although the Kerr Center maintains a strong interest in integrating poultry with livestock and horticultural activities, due to short-staffing, there are no immediate plans to raise poultry.

Determine impact of grazing poultry on high-protein forage and forage with condensed tannins on performance and parasite control

Study 7. Palatability of Tannin-rich Sericea Lespedeza fed to Broilers

As parasites become resistant to available medications new methods of control are needed. New drugs take a long time to develop in addition to being expensive; therefore, there is increasing interest in finding and using natural alternatives. Additionally, natural remedies are needed for the organic sector as man-made drugs are not allowed and birds with outdoor access are likely to encounter parasites. Sericea Lespedeza (SL, Lespedeza cuneata) is a common perennial deciduous legume found in pastures across the southern US that has been shown to be effective at controlling parasitic nematodes in small ruminants due to its condensed tannins content. Diets that are high in condensed tannins are often unpalatable to poultry; however, growers report that it appears that chickens maintained on pastures will consume SL. These reports and the amount of consumption have not been verified.Therefore before determining its potential in controlling parasites in poultry, a preliminary study confirmed that birds on pasture consumed SL (92% of birds examined had SL in crops) and in a subsequent study SL was added to a standard broiler feed to determine the palatability of SL at various concentrations. Diets were diluted with 0% (C), 5% (SL5), 10% (SL10) or 20% (SL20) SL (dry weight), and fed from hatch until harvest at six weeks of age. Male broilers (n=80) were divided into eight groups and fed one of the four diets in replicate. All birds consumed the feed regardless of the treatment, the birds on 5% SL performing as well as the control. Dilution of the diet with SL had negative effects of body weights at levels higher than 5%. Body weights were 2,002g, 1,959g, 1,721g, and 1,521g respectively (P<0.05). At the conclusion of the trial birds fed 20% had digestive organs that were a larger percent of body weight than birds receiving no SL. Feed conversion was higher in SL20 (2.31) than in C (1.63). Palatability did not appear to be a problem in feeding SL to chickens as all treatment groups consumed a similar amount of feed, and therefore follow-up studies will evaluate the effects of SL on parasite control.

A manuscript describing this study was published in the Journal of Applied Poultry Research. See Publication List and Information Product. Research was presented at the International Poultry Science Annual Meeting 2012.

Study 8. Impact of Tannin-rich Sericea Lespedeza on Broiler Parasites

Additional research was conducted to determine the efficacy of sericea lespedeza in chicks infected with two species of Eimeria spp. The objective of this study was to find out whether sericea lespedeza has any activity against Eimeria species, the cause of coccidiosis in chickens, when included in the diet. Chicks were infected with oocysts of two species of Eimeria known to cause malabsorption of nutrients during the acute phase of infection. These species are E. acervulina which parasitizes the duodenum and E. maxima which parasitizes the mid-intestine. Both are widespread pathogens of chickens. The experiment was designed to determine whether sericea lespedeza has any effect upon the ability of E. acervulina and E. maxima to multiply in the gut. There was no effect of sericea lespedeza on birds infected with E. acervulina or with E. maxima based on oocysts produced per gram of feces and oocysts produced per bird. Feed intake, conversion and body weight were not different among all treatment groups. Note: The feed level used in this study was much lower than that used for lambs, which comprised at least 25-50% of the diet when there was a reduction in fecal oocyst counts. In addition, follow-up work has determined that tannin concentration in the SL pellets is heat sensitive and therefore the process of pelleting for the above study may have resulted in a less than effective dose.

Determine impact of grazing poultry under shelter/shade/roosts and feeding tree fodder for agroforestry systems

Study 9. Effect of Simulated Agroforestry Structures on Performance and Behavior of Organic Meat Chickens

Chickens provided with access to outdoor areas often do not fully use the range area. Enrichments such as artificial structures may provide shelter and increase range use, especially for young birds such as meat chickens. A study was conducted to determine whether providing constructed enrichments that simulated agroforestry structures would increase range use. Slow-growing Delaware meat chickens were raised in floor pens (n = 17/pen) in a naturally ventilated house; a pophole in each pen allowed daily access to an outdoor area covered with vegetation (3.1 x 30.5 m). Feed and water were provided indoors and 15.2 m from the house. The birds were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: No range enrichment (control; NON) and Enrichment (ENR). There were 4 replications per treatment. The ENR treatment included roosts made of plastic pipe or screened shelters 7.6 m and 22.9 m from the house and overhead shade panels 15.2 m from the house. The number of birds in four quadrants of the range was counted every 7 min three times daily (0900-0945 h, 1300-1345 h, and 1600-1645 h) when the birds were 7 and 10 wk of age. There was no difference in weight gain between treatments (P < 0.05).   On average, only 12% of birds used the range at any given time. Age and time of day impacted the number of birds that went outside, with more birds outside during the morning observation (P < 0.05).   Overall, most birds using the range (85%) were observed in the quadrant nearest the house (0 – 7.6 m). However, in the ENR treatment more birds (14%) were observed in the third quadrant (15.2 – 22.9 m from the house) than in the NON treatment (4%).   The location (inside vs. outside) impacted behavior, with more sitting inside and more foraging outside. In addition, behavior analysis showed that birds in the ENR treatment foraged more (P < 0.0001). This indicates that adding constructed enrichments to the range encouraged meat chickens to use the range more fully.

Research was presented at the Poultry Science Symposium on Alternative Systems for Poultry – Health, Welfare and Productivity, University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, UK 2011. A manuscript is under preparation.

After the agroforestry simulation trial described above, the 12-week-old Delaware birds were transferred to farmer cooperator Little Portion for testing in wooded areas. Delaware are a duo-purpose bird and Little Portion used them as hardy layers.

In addition, at PPPSRU, half of the poultry yards were planted with a native woody perennial, beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) in 2011, in order to gather preliminary data contrasting the use of woody perennials to constructions that simulate agroforestry. Beautyberry provides not only shade and shelter to the birds but also a roosting space and as berries mature, mast and foliage. These native plants have survived dry summer conditions with no intervention.

Determine the quality and nutrient content of poultry products due to integrating poultry with livestock production and agroforestry

Study 10. Impact of Integrating Free-range Poultry with Cattle and Swine on the Microbial Status of Eggs

Small farmers often raise free-range poultry for specialty markets in an extensive production system with other livestock. Poultry may provide benefits to cattle and pasture fertilization while swine provide the ability to clear areas and increase product diversity. While combining multiple species in grazing systems has benefits, food safety concerns may arise with interspecies access to manure. A preliminary experiment was conducted at a university farm to determine the impact of integrating free-range poultry with cattle and swine on egg pathogens. Two free-range standard-breed layer flocks were studied: 1) Pastured chickens (Control, C) and 2) Pastured chickens integrated with livestock (Integrated, I). For C, a 7-hen flock of laying chickens was kept in a 58-m2 grassy yard enclosed by portable fencing. In the I treatment, a 7-hen flock shared a 0.25 ha pasture with 2 pigs and 3 heifers. Stocking density was extensive to allow chickens access to livestock fecal material. Both C and I chickens had access to small portable houses with nestboxes. All livestock had appropriate feeds, shade, and water. Feces (2 samples from cattle, swine, and I chicken, and 1 sample from C chickens) and eggs (20 each treatment) were collected at week 20 and tested for Salmonella and Campylobacter. Ten C and I egg shells were aseptically separated from contents and crushed with membranes; these and 2 pooled albumen 2 yolk samples were tested. Fecal, egg shell rinses, and egg content samples were evaluated for Salmonella (25 g of sample was placed in 225 mL 1% BPW, incubated 24 h at 37 C, transferred to TT and RV broth for 24 h at 37 C, then plated onto BGS and XLT4 and incubated 24 h at 37 C). For Campylobacter, fecal and eggshell rinse samples were direct plated onto CCDA and incubated 48 h at 42 C in a microaerophilic environment. One of 2 fecal samples from both I chicken and cattle were positive for Salmonella; none was detected in egg shells or contents. No Campylobacter was detected. These findings indicate that system-level research is needed to evaluate safety of food products in integrated livestock production.

This trial was conducted as part of a SSARE Young Scholar Enhancement grant. Appropriate Technology student Tyler Higgins at Appalachian State University became interested in sustainable agriculture and had the opportunity to start an integrated project at the university farm.

In the trial testing sericea lespedeza forage, none of the birds tested positive for Salmonella spp. while only one bird from tested positive for Campylobacter spp. See the manuscript for more details.

Objective 5: Conduct on-farm verification trials to determine the impact of practices developed

There are many different ways to integrate free range poultry into grazing livestock operations on small farms. Below are methods used by project farmer-collaborators.

Little Portion (Berryville AR)

Little Portion integrated goats, pigs, and poultry together. They raised up to 120 feeder pigs per year. The pasture area was a fescue/bermuda mix. The pigs were a Hampshire cross purchased from area breeders. The pigs had small portable huts, supplemental feed, and forage on pasture. They were controlled with two strands of temporary electric fencing. They were regularly rotated to a new paddock. There were no ruminant animals in the system but interestingly, Little Portionn found the pigs grazed the forage much like ruminants when initially introduced to the pasture area. Pigs ate tall grass before starting to root. Pasture areas that pigs denuded, particularly under trees, were re-seeded with rye. A portable corral made of steel gates and chain served to load them on a portable chute and onto a trailer for transport to the processor. Pigs were slaughtered at a USDA approved plant in nearby Missouri. A layer rotation (200 layer-flock) followed the pig rotation with a portable layer house. Yards were set up in wooded areas for layer chickens and protected with electronet fencing. Hawks preyed on white-feathered chickens in the woods, so Little Portion converted the flock to brown-feathered Bovan Browns. (They also tried the Delawares as a heritage breed but preferred Bovan hybrids.) During winter, layer chickens were housed in a large greenhouse structure.

Little Portion had an egg grading facility and increased flock size. They sold meat and eggs to restaurants, retailers, and individuals. However, Little Portion has now ceased livestock operations due to a lack of manpower.

Dancing Springs (Fayetteville AR)

Dancing Springs maintained a mixture of goats, horses, broiler chickens, and layer chickens, as well as blueberries. They have tried many variations of production systems and currently prefer a contained pastured poultry pen (10 x 12’) placed in areas with goats. While birds may not have access to a large yard, the birds are safe from predators (dogs have been problematic), cannot fly out of a yard, and electricity is not required for fences. The farm is home to a large family with young children and electrified fencing is a concern. The farm maintains other poultry housing: fixed strawbale house, 16 x 5’ house on a trailer (heavy), and a small house on a trailer for flexibility and future operations. Broilers will continue to be raised in warm seasons in a small hoophouse on skids. Blueberries have suffered from droughts.

• Young Scholar Enhancement poster