Green run for organically reared pullets
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Project management: Prof. Dr. Knierim, Ute
Project participants: Dipl.-Ing. agr. M.Sc. Staack, Marion; Dr. Pinent, Tamina; Dr. Keppler, Christiane
Project description:
In this project, the influence of a green run on the
health status of organically reared pullets in Switzerland,
Austria and Denmark was investigated in order to derive recommendations for keeping organic
pullets in accordance with the EC Organic Regulation in Germany.
Data from a total of 226 runs from 58 rearing farms with
green runs were recorded and analyzed. Data from 17
organic rearing farms in Germany were available for comparison.
The range of husbandry conditions was wide, both between the countries and in some cases within the countries
. This mainly concerned the
husbandry methods, the size of the outdoor scratching area, the size and structure of the
green run, the timing of access to the various outdoor areas
and the type and intensity of care measures.
On average, the losses per run were between 2.5 % and 3.1
% and thus at the same level as in the German organic rearing
without green runs (3.4 %). Around 80 % of the losses occurred before access to the
outdoor area and here mainly in the first three weeks of life. Predators
were a problem for many farms. Losses due to infection occurred
only in isolated cases at the beginning of the rearing period. The incidences
of antibiotic or antiparasitic treatments were low at 0.02 to 0.05 per
run. The pullet weights achieved were also at
comparable levels, albeit with a greater spread in terms of
uniformity.
Overall, no indications of specific health problems
were found as a result of granting free-range access to pullets. However,
the sometimes wide ranges in the results make it clear that
management requirements may increase as a result of outdoor access. Recommendations are made on
management and the design of the free-range area in accordance with the EC Organic Regulation
, taking into account practical experience in the countries studied
.
In cooperation with: University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria; Danish Agricultural Advisory Service DAAS, Denmark; öko-Marketing GmbH, Switzerland
Publications: