Pastured poultry and vegetable production: An integrated approach

Pastured poultry and vegetable production: An integrated approach

Summary

Objectives
1.) Determine the effect of the manure on plant performance at various times after the pastured poultry have been on the area;
2.) 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;
3.) To carry out economic analyses of the system; and
4.) 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.

Approach
A Fall and a Spring experiment for Objective 1 have been completed with the second Fall experiment currently in the ground. The first trial was carried out in the Fall of 1999 using mustards planted 1, 7, 14 or 21 days after the birds had been on the area. The area was tilled to incorporate the manure the day after the birds were moved from each plot. These preliminary data suggested that the best response was obtained if the crop was planted two weeks after the birds were moved. These results were reported at the 12th Biennial Association of Research Directors Symposium. The Spring trial was carried out in May 2000 using cucumbers. These data are currently being analyzed. The Fall 2000 crop is again mustards and will be harvested in early December.

In Spring 2000, squash was used on the Southern University Horticulture Farm to assess the effects of different fertilizer treatments on crop growth (Objective 2 – chicken manure (CM) only, CM supplemented by conventional fertilizers, CM supplemented by organic fertilizers, and control plots with conventional fertilizers only.) These data are currently being analyzed. In the Fall of 2000 a similar trial has been laid out using mustards and will be harvested in early December.

To estimate the amount of nitrogen added to the soil by the birds, we carried out three trials to determine the fecal dry matter production and the nitrogen content of the manure of White Leghorn layers from the same hatch as the birds on pasture. The bird’s body weight averaged 1,452 g. They produced 26 g of feces per day with 6.21% nitrogen on a dry matter basis. Thus, there was 1.6 g of N produced per bird per day in the pure manure.

In Spring 2001, we will carry out the final experiment for Objective 1 at our Horticulture Research Farm using cucumbers or other summer crop. Trials for objective 2 will be replicated in both the Spring and Fall 2001.

Because of the severe drought, we have only carried out one broiler trial and no vegetable studies on cooperators farms. We are actively recruiting farmers and plan to have at least eight involved in the project in Spring 2001. If the drought continues, provision will be made to provide drip irrigation for the cooperating farmers.

A record book has been developed for the use of researchers and farmer cooperators. Some data have been collected regarding time and financial inputs for the trials on the Southern University Horticulture Farm but more are needed before economic analyses can be undertaken. Once a substantial body of information has been collected, we can develop information for producers regarding economic advantages and cultural practices relative to growing vegetables in association with pastured poultry. The use of vegetables in combination with pastured poultry will increase farm diversity, soil fertility and farm incomes for the farmers.

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