Laying hens in mobile barns
Project Leader: Prof.Dr.Knierim, Ute ; Gieseke, Daniel ; Dorkewitz, Katrin
Project participants: Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen; Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Marketing for Food and Agricultural Products
Project description:
Mobile barns, which are spreading with great dynamism in organic and conventional egg production, presumably meet consumer expectations in terms of visibility and type of animal husbandry to a very large extent and, if moved frequently enough, have advantages in terms of environmental impact and animal behavior. The extent to which they also have a positive effect on animal health, an important aspect of animal welfare, has not yet been proven. They have both risk-reducing and risk-promoting factors for various animal welfare problems. Stable-specific management is of great importance here. Therefore, one aim of the project is to examine the animal welfare of different types of mobile barns and, if necessary, to identify specific management requirements, also with regard to predator defense in the field, as well as to assess the effect of targeted advice. Since the economically successful use of mobile houses depends on whether an additional benefit can be communicated to consumers compared to stationary houses, fact-based and target group-specific marketing strategies are also to be developed. In addition to the question of egg marketing, the acceptance of mobile barns by the population is a success factor. Therefore, possible conflicts in the construction of barns as well as the assessment of residents with regard to the environmental and health effects of mobile barns in the local area will be investigated. Overall, the project aims to provide information and recommendations for action for a future field of laying hen husbandry and thus focus on an innovative husbandry method that promotes contact between agriculture and society.