Pasture Raised Heritage Hybrid Broiler Adaptive Ration Formulation for Feed Conversion Efficiency, Nutrient Density, and Profitability

Commodities

Practices

Cornish Cross Broilers 'rule the roost' as the predominate U.S. meat chicken due to their rapid growth rates, predictable feed conversion, and established growth expectations. Reliance on the Cornish Cross with the proprietary genetics, however, increases the likelihood of supply chain shortages hitting the small farms. The slower-growing, and forage-oriented Heritage Hybrid broilers offer an attractive alternative, yet the standardized feeding guidelines and management plans are not developed.

The Heritage Hybrid birds require a different feed plan and protein levels. Following the Cornish Cross feed schedule produces an unprofitable small carcass weight. Having nutritional data from lab tests and proof of flavor from palate sensitive chefs taste tests are keys to developing a viable market for the Heritage Hybrid broiler meat.

OBJECTIVE: Increase marketable weight of Heritage Hybrid broilers to produce a meat product that is competitive with traditional Cornish Cross broilers while maintaining the flavor and nutrition of the Heritage Hybrid.

SOULUTION: Adapt feed rations and time on feed to produce a nutritional. flavorful, profitable, and market competitive meat product for small producers to use in a specialty market.

This project will evaluate an integrated feed and pasture management system for Heritage Hybrid poultry. The adaptive rations will balance protein, energy, and Omega-rich ingredients with pasture to improve carcass weight, nutrient density, and flavor. Three feed phases-starter, grower, and finisher will be paired with environment enhancement meant to reduce stress, and pasture rotation. Data will be collected on growth, finished weight, and meat quality (including taste tests and nutrient density). Outcomes will provide regionally adaptable recommendations for poultry production of Heritage Hybrid.

Adaptive rations will begin with target guidelines and adapt as needed based on growth progress. Use of regionally available inputs will be used. The crude protein will be as follows:

Starter 22% Protein

Grower 19% Protein

Finisher 17% Protein

Feed comparisons will be repeated 3 times using 50 Cornish Cross and 100 Heritage Hybrids broilers in each batch. Data will be collected on each batch and aggregated at the end.

Environmental accommodations include shade cloth structures, heat lamps in chicken tractors when needed, and an oval brooder to reduce chicks being trapped in corners. Pasture will be mowed to keep grass height under 12 inches. Brooder chicks will be offered greens and insects to encourage foraging.

Pasture birds will be in paddocks with electric poultry fence to reduce predator pressure. Cornish Cross will be started after the Heritage Hybrids so both will be finished for processing at or close to the same time allowing them to have equal access to insects and grass available in that time frame.