Pastured poultry and vegetable production: An integrated approach

View the project final report

• 1999 annual report
• 2001 annual report

Commodities

• Vegetables: beans, broccoli, cucurbits, eggplant, greens (leafy), sweet corn, tomatoes
• Animals: poultry

Practices

• Animal Production: manure management
• Crop Production: nutrient cycling, organic fertilizers
• Education and Training: demonstration, on-farm/ranch research
• Farm Business Management: new enterprise development, budgets/cost and returns, marketing management, feasibility study
• Production Systems: integrated crop and livestock systems
• Soil Management: nutrient mineralization, soil quality/health
• Sustainable Communities: urban agriculture

Trials to assess effect of pastured poultry on crops planted after the birds show that the optimum time for planting mustards, cucumbers and squash is 7 to 14 days after the birds have been on the area. Trials assessing the fertilizing effect of the chickens using squash and cucumber indicate that, after the birds have been on the area, conventional fertilizer application can be reduced by 50%.

The objectives of this project were to:

Determine the effect of the manure on plant performance at various times after the pastured poultry have been on the area;

To determine the response of soil fertility and crop yields to manure from previously pastured poultry at the Southern University Horticulture Farm and on producers farms;

To carry out economic analyses of the system; and

To develop information for producers regarding economic advantages and cultural practices relative to growing vegetables in association with pastured poultry, to recruit new pastured poultry and vegetable producers, and to involve producer organizations in promotion of the program.