Optimisation of the free-range management of laying hens to reduce nutrient loads in the outdoor run in a participatory approach with the practice (2018-2023)

Transdisciplinary approach:

• Practice plays a key role in determining the research approach
• Insights gained in research are shared with practitioners in workshops and further developed with them

Problem:

• Severe overuse of certain run areas by hens (e.g., area close to barn).
• destruction of the sward, puddle formation, danger of erosion
• very high nitrogen inputs in very small areas (compared to the total run area)
• also under "fastening material" like gravel, crushed stone and wood chips, as well as "structural elements" in the outlet partly extremely high values to be found
• displacement and leaching of nitrate
• immobile stables particularly strongly affected

Aim of the project:

• Minimization of nitrate inputs with simultaneous increase of the outlet acceptance by the laying hens on the basis of an
• OPTIMIZATION of house and run management and their design.

The anonymity of the participating farms is ensured by the university. Practical implementation:

• Recording of the status quo (run and nutrients).
• Participative approach, development of possible optimization approaches together with the farmers
• Inter-farm workshops

Operational win-situation:

• Accompaniment by science and expert advice
• Timely flow of information
• early entry into a customized, optimized outlet management system
• Exchange of experience with other farms
• Collection and utilization of on-farm nutrients for crop production
• improvement of the on-farm environmental balance
• Economic improvement of resource utilization

https://www.oekolandbau.de/landwirtschaft/tier/spezielle-tierhaltung/gefluegel/legehennen/wie-lassen-sich-naehrstoffueberhaenge-im-legehennen-auslauf-vermeiden/