Research Project

• Marion Staack
• Ute Knierim
• Detlef Fölsch

• Hessisches Dienstleistungszentrum für Landwirtschaft, Gartenbau und Naturschutz, Tierzuchtzentrum Neu-Ulrichstein, Homberg
• Bundesanstalt für Züchtungsforschung an Kulturpflanzen, Institut f. Stressphysiologie und Rohstoffqualität, Groß-Lüsewitz

Third party funds of the Federal Institution for Agriculture and Nutrition (BLE) in the context of the federal programme for organic agriculture

2002 - 2004

Since august 2005 the components of organic poultry fodder according to the EU-Organic-Regulation have to be from 100 % organic production. High quality, ‘conventionally produced’ protein components are no longer permitted. It was investigated whether germinated wheat in 100 % organic rations could contribute to the protein supply of chicks, young- and laying hens and whether these rations met their demand.

From hatching to the 40th week of life with a density of 5 animals/qm (since 5th week), 19 hens and one cock at a time (of two origins: Lohman Tradition -LT-, ISA Brown) were kept in ten stable segments in a barn without out-door run. Eight experimental groups were fed with 100 % organic complements and germinated wheat (four groups) or wheat grains (four groups). Two control groups were fed with complete ration with up to 15 % conventionally grown components.

The 48 hour germination of wheat did not have any influence on the content of raw nutrients other than starch and sugar and therefore did not improve the protein supply of the animals. Some vitamins (B1, B2, K, C) and the content of linoleic acid rose. 

Differences between the two experimental groups and the control group (germinated wheat, wheat grain and sole fodder) and the different origins concerning laying performance, egg quality parameters, and condition of the feathers were not significant apart from a tendency to higher egg weight in the germinated wheat group and higher live weights of the LT-hens in the 14th and 21st week of life. Under the given conditions the 100 % organic fodder provided very good health and feather condition and satisfactory performance of the animals. Biophotone analysis showed that yolk luminescence rates were significantly higher than the ones of eggs from conventional barns and cage systems. Only the again higher rates of the eggs of the control group suggested that the 100 % organic fodder met their demand to a lower extend as the complete ration. Further more, higher fodder consumption and squander was noticed with the 100 % organic complement. Further investigations on the determination of the need of nutrients of young hens and laying hens under organic husbandry conditions as well as for the development of demand meeting fodder rations are necessary.

• Staack, M., Fölsch, D. W., Knierim, U. (2009): Einsatz von gekeimten Getreide in der Geflügelfütterung. In: Mayer et al. (Hrsg.): Werte–Wege–Wirkungen: Biolandbau im Spannungsfeld zwischen Ernährungssicherheit, Markt und Klimawandel. Beiträge zur 10. Wissenschaftstagung Ökologischer Landbau, Zürich 11.-13.02., Band 2, 194-197
• Fölsch, D. W.; Knierim, U., Staack, M. (2004): Einsatz von gekeimtem Getreide in der Geflügelfütterung [Use of germinated wheat in organic poultry feeding]. Bericht, Fachgebiet Nutztierethologie und Tierhaltung, Fachbereich Ökologische Agrarwissenschaften, Universität Kassel.
• Volltext zugänglich: Schlussbericht (2,6 MB)