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Closing the loop in free-range laying hens: Substrates & aggregates for the close range "KLUFT" (2019 - 2025).

Closing the nutrient cycle in the run of free range layers – suitable enrichment materials and additives
Laying hens kept in free range housing systems are to have access to an outdoor run. Due to the animals’ specific behavior and their preference of areas close to the stable these areas often show high accumulation of nutrients. The project’s major aim is to test different enrichment materials/litter and additives for their ability to absorb nutrients.  Nutrients are to be made available for on-farm utilization, thus minimizing nutrient losses and the associated environmental pollution.  

 

"Optimization of free-range management of laying hens to reduce nutrient inputs in the run in a participatory approach with the practice" (OPAL).

Optimizing free range housing systems of laying hens in order to reduce nutrient accumulation int the outdoor run in a participatory approach with farmers

Despite numerous design and management concepts for laying hen runs, areas close to the stable often prove to be highly affected by nutrient accumulation.
The transdisciplinary project, which is funded by the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU), therefore aims to develop solutions with farmers in order to reduce nitrogen inputs to the soil.

 

  • Nitrogen inputs in free-range laying hens
  • Nitrogen dynamics
  • Nutrient sorption capacity of different substrates
  • Nitrogen emissions in poultry runs

Deerberg, F. (2025) - Nutrient management in green runs of laying hens - challenges and solutions https://doi.org/10.17170/kobra-2025122211754

  • Deerberg, Fra., (2025). Nutrient management in green runs of laying hens - challenges and solutions. https://doi. org/10.17170/kobra-2025122211754
  • Deerberg, Fra., Deerberg, Fri. & Heß, J. (2024). Mineral substrates increase the risk of nitrate leaching in hen yards. Proceedings of the XXII International Nitrogen Workshop, Aarhus 2024 (p. 364)
  • Deerberg, Fra., Deerberg, Fri. & Heß, J. (2024). Mobile hen houses without floor panel and nitrogen leaching - a bottomless pit? Proceedings of the XXII International Nitrogen Workshop, Aarhus 2024 (p. 153)
  • Deerberg, Fra., Delics, B., Deerberg Fri. & Heß, J. (2024): Nutrient inputs in the vicinity of laying hen runs - Mineral substrates are not the yellow of the egg. [Why mineral substrates should not be used in outdoor runs.] In: Landwirtschaft und Ernährung - Transformation macht nur gemeinsam Sinn, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), pp. 263-264.
  • Deerberg, Fra.,Zublewitz, S., Deerberg, Fri. & Heß, J. (2023) Shit happens- also in the laying hen run. In: One Step Ahead - one step ahead! Contributions to the 16th Scientific Conference on Organic Farming, Frick (CH), March 7-10, 2023, Verlag Dr. Köster, Berlin.

  • Deerberg, Fra.,Jalane, V., Deerberg, Fri. & Heß, J. (2019) Nutrient inputs in free-range systems for laying hens - suitability of gravel in close proximity. [Suitability of gravel as a substrate in free range chicken runs. In: Mühlrath, Daniel; Albrecht, Joana; Finckh, Maria R.; Hamm, Ulrich; Heß, Jürgen; Knierim, Ute and Möller, Detlev (eds.) Innovatives Denken für eine nachhaltige Land- und Ernährungswirtschaft. Contributions to the 15th Scientific Conference on Organic Farming, Kassel, March 5-8, 2019, Verlag Dr. Köster, Berlin.

    Delics, B., Deerberg, Fra., Deerberg, Fri., Ruf, M. & Heß, J. (2019): Free-range management of organic laying hens under the nutrient aspect - problem areas in the run. [Free-range management of layers regarding nutrients - Problem areas in the range]. In: Mühlrath, Daniel; Albrecht, Joana; Finckh, Maria R.; Hamm, Ulrich; Heß, Jürgen; Knierim, Ute and Möller, Detlev (eds.) Innovatives Denken für eine nachhaltige Land- und Ernährungswirtschaft. Contributions to the 15th Scientific Conference on Organic Farming, Kassel, March 5-8, 2019, Verlag Dr. Köster, Berlin.

  • Deerberg, Fra., Deerberg Fri. & Heß, J. (2025): Problem zone near the barn. Farmers' Journal 19/25, May 2025, 42-43
  • Deerberg, Fra., Deerberg Fri. & Heß, J. (2025): Pellets retain nutrients. Bioland trade magazine July 2025, 40-41
  • Deerberg, Fra., Deerberg Fri. & Heß, J. (2025): Nutrient inputs in laying hen runs - risk or resource? DGS magazine for the poultry industry 08/2025
  • Heß, J., Deerberg, Fri. & Deerberg, Fra. (2025): Nutrient loads in free-range systems using the example of organic laying hens - a construction site. German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste (DWA) (ed.) DWA Topics Organic Farming and Waters, T3/2025, pp. 70-76
  • Deerberg, Fra., Delics, B., Deerberg, Fri. & Heß, J. (2023, 28.02.-02.03): What can woody strips contribute to nutrient management in poultry runs? Conference contribution, 27th International Bioland Poultry Conference, Tambach-Dietharz
  • Deerberg, Fra., Deerberg Fri., Delics, B. & Heß, J. (2020): Giving gravel and crushed stone a rebuff. In: DGS magazine for the poultry industry, special issue in DGS 49/ 2020, pp. 8-10.
  • Deerberg, Fra., Delics, B., Deerberg Fri. & Heß, J. (2026, February 11): Reducing nutrient inputs in the outdoor run - New results from research. Presentation at the poultry colloquium of the Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen (LLH)
  • Deerberg, Fra., Delics, B., Deerberg Fri. & Heß, J. (2026, January 21): Reduction of nutrient inputs in the vicinity of laying hen runs. Presentation at the Bioland Winter Conference Baden Württemberg, Bad Boll
  • Heß, J., Deerberg, Fri. & Deerberg, Fra. (2025): Nutrient loads in free-range farming using the example of organic laying hens - a construction site. German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste (DWA) (ed.) DWA Topics Organic Farming and Waters, T3/2025, pp. 70-76
  • Deerberg, Fra., Delics, B., Deerberg, Fri. & Heß, J. (2024, April 22): Nutrient management in the laying hen run. Conference contribution, Second BZL Consultants' Conference, Operational options for water protection and water management
  • Deerberg, Fra., Delics, B., Deerberg, Fri. & Heß J. (2023, November 29): Outlet design and nutrient inputs: Risks and potentials. Presentation at the poultry colloquium of the Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen (LLH)
  • Deerberg, Fra., Delics, B., Deerberg, Fri. & Heß, J. (2023, 28.02.-02.03): What can woody strips contribute to nutrient management in poultry runs? Conference contribution, 27th International Bioland Poultry Conference, Tambach-Dietharz
  • Deerberg, Fra., Deerberg Fri., Delics, B. & Heß, J. (2020): Giving gravel and crushed stone a rebuff. In: DGS magazine for the poultry industry, special issue in DGS 49/ 2020, pp. 8-10.