Pastured Poultry Products

Project Overview

FNE99-248
Project Type: Farmer
Funds awarded in 1999: $3,660.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/1999
Matching Non-Federal Funds: $3,724.40
Region: Northeast
State: Pennsylvania
Project Leader:

Commodities

  • Animals: poultry

Practices

  • Animal Production: general animal production

    Proposal summary:

    Pastured poultry products are relatively new and producers are relatively small; therefore we don't have access to laboratory testing. Many customers ask about cholesterol, salmonella, fat, etc. levels and we have no answers. We believe our products are healthier, but need the testing in order to make claims. If our beliefs are confirmed, this could open a new market with nutritionists. There is a trend among new farmers that requires low-input farming operations, thus the increase in rotational grazing. We found that just grazing dairy heifers would not provide positive cash flow and found pastured chickens as a way to add income without adding too much capital. This project will help farmers establish and increase a pastured poultry market which will increase farm profits and make their continuance as a farmer possible.

    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.