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800-346-9140 SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION

Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas PRODUCTION GUIDE

ATTRA is the national sustainable information center funded by the USDA’s Rural Business -- Cooperative Service.

Contents: Alternative Production Methods ...... 2 Free-range...... 2 Pastured ...... 3 Semi-intensive...... 3 “Yard and Coop”...... 4 Innovative...... 5 Breeds for Pasture-Based Production ...... 5 Flock Health for Alternative Poultry Production ...... 6 General Management Concerns ...... 8 Integrating onto the ...... 8 Other Poultry in Sustainable Production...... 9 Further Resources...... 9 Summary...... 10 References...... 10 Enclosures...... 11 Resource Section ...... 12

Introduction In the industry, usually large, loose-litter houses are used for production. Layers are Selling "farm-fresh" chicken and eggs is a usually kept in small cages with 3 to 4 birds in marketing opportunity for enterprising farmers. each. In "sustainable poultry production," These farmers raise chickens on outdoor range alternatives to confinement housing and cages or in existing farm buildings to keep overhead are considered, such as access to range. costs low. Little or no medication is used in the Preventative management to maintain health is feed. Market potential exists for products from emphasized instead of routine medication. poultry raised in what consumers consider to be Nonconventional processing and marketing "natural" environments. channels may be explored as part of alternative production. Poultry production can be a low- Per-capita consumption of poultry products has capital farm diversification strategy. climbed dramatically as large integrators have stresses environmentally made poultry among the "best buys" at the sound and economically viable approaches to supermarket. Each U.S. citizen ate an average of agriculture, and focuses on low-input strategies 97 lbs. of poultry and 234 eggs in 1993 (1). and support of rural communities by However, many consumers are also interested in maintaining the family farm. homegrown poultry. Some consumers consider homegrown poultry more "natural" than A common feature of alternative production industry-raised poultry; others want to support models includes access to range. Access to family and locally produced goods. range can help reduce feed costs, reduce stress

ATTRA // SUSTAINABLE CHICKEN PRODUCTION Page 1 compared to confinement, and provide a Most of these models feature access to pasture marketing advantage for certain market but with modifications. Simply turning the segments. An alternative poultry production chickens loose to run free on the farm may be strategy can reduce health problems and fine for a family flock, but not to produce eliminate routine medication. This adds to the poultry commercially. marketing advantage since some consumers want birds raised with no pharmaceuticals in Free-range the diet. Poultry manure can add fertility to the pasture and the manure is spread directly onto "Free-range" refers to operations using the field, eliminating waste disposal problems. moveable housing and access to pasture. In Many pasture-based systems are seasonal— free-range operations, portable houses or pens young birds need to be fully feathered before are moved regularly so that chickens may forage putting them out on pasture. These systems grass, seeds, and insects. Maximum stocking tend to be low cost and require little capital for density should be 200 birds per acre (3). start-up. Pasture-based systems are widely used in Europe on a large scale. Some free-range operations have automatic watering systems in the field and specially The focus of this publication is alternative constructed feeders to protect feed from the chicken production. General information on weather. The pasture area may be tightly small-scale poultry production is already fenced to keep predators from entering; portable available from many sources such as books, housing provides safety at night. magazines, and Extension publications. Information on general topics—such as setting Ohio farmer Herman Beck-Chenoweth (4) uses a hens, brooding, culling, etc.—can be obtained free-range model to produce . Long from these sources. Some small-scale chicken portable houses (skids), which hold up to 400 books listed at the end of this publication in the broilers each, are towed by tractor every few Resources Section. weeks to new locations in the pasture. The wooden skids are enclosed with chicken wire This publication is part of a series on sustainable with litter–covered floors, tarp-covered gable chicken production. Please also see the ATTRA roofs, and doors on both ends. Concentrate feed publications Sustainable Egg Production, costs are reduced by access to range. He uses Feeding Chickens, Processing and Marketing Cornish cross broilers and finds that they range Chicken Products: Meat and Eggs. about 100 feet away from the skids. The only fencing required is a strong perimeter fence to keep out neighbors' dogs. Predation at night is Alternative Production Methods not a problem if the chicken wire is tightly attached to the skid; during the day, the birds The terms for alternative poultry operations are run back to the skid if threatened. Since the loosely defined in the U.S. Countries in the birds are never confined, except at night for European Community (EC) have specific criteria safety, this model appeals to those interested in defined by EC trading standards regulations in animal welfare issues. In order to use this free- order to label eggs as , semi-intensive, range model, you need a tractor, draft horse, or , perchery, etc. (2); however, for the a strong pick-up to move the skid. Beck- purposes of this publication, the following Chenoweth’s model is described in great detail operations are described: in his book Free-Range Chicken Production and • free-range Marketing (4). He also edits a newsletter called • the Free-Range Forum. • semi-intensive • “yard and coop” There are many modifications of free-range, • innovative especially “protected free-range,” such as field

ATTRA // SUSTAINABLE CHICKEN PRODUCTION Page 2 pens that are regularly moved to fresh pasture. includes information on brooding, pen One that has received a lot of attention is “the construction, feeding, pasture management, pastured poultry model” (discussed below). processing, and marketing. The book and a There are also many models of free-range egg video can be ordered from The Stockman Grass production, such as the “eggmobile,” discussed Farmer (7). in the ATTRA publication Sustainable Egg Production. In response to growing interest about the pastured poultry model, an organization called Pastured poultry the American Pastured Poultry Producers Association (APPPA) (8)was formed in 1996. "Pastured poultry" is a term used to describe a APPPA was formed to help producers network modification of free-range—a field pen where for information, used processing equipment, etc. the area and bird density is strictly Membership costs $20 per year and includes a controlled. Joel Salatin (5) has developed this subscription to the newsletter Grit! The innovative model in which broilers are pastured newsletter editor is Diane Kaufman (8), a in floorless pens, which are moved daily to fresh longtime pastured poultry producer—contact pasture. Seventy-five to one hundred chicks Kaufman for more information on APPPA and (two to four weeks old) are placed in 10' x 12' x to join. 2' pens. The pens follow a rotation. Feed concentrate is provided in the pen, along with Heifer Project International (HPI) (9), an water. In this system, allowing the birds to Arkansas development organization is forage on plants, seeds, insects, and worms sponsoring a project to integrate pastured reduces concentrate feed costs by 30%. poultry onto the farms of limited resource farmers in the South. (Case studies from this Salatin raises 8,000 birds a year from March to project will be available from ATTRA in 1999.) October. Death losses at the Salatin farm Skip Polson at HPI coordinates the project and average less than five percent, with mortality is also a pastured poultry producer. under two percent in some flocks. Bird performance is good—reaching slaughter size The pastured poultry model has also been by eight weeks with a carcass weight of 4 to 4½ adapted for egg production as described in the pounds. ATTRA publication Sustainable Egg Production.

The cages are moved by hand by putting a Semi-intensive: specially designed dolly on one end and lifting the pen with a handle on the other end. The "Semi-intensive" refers to permanent housing pens, weighing about 200 lbs., can be dragged in with access provided to a yard or pasture. this way. The pasture needs to be kept short According to an article from World Poultry (about 4-8 inches). Further issues about pasture Science Journal (3), chickens in semi-intensive usage and feeding is available in the ATTRA operations are raised in non-moveable buildings publication Feeding Chickens. with access to outdoor grazing in pens that are used in rotation. Feed and water are provided Several producers have modified the cage within the houses; stocking density is up to 500 design by constructing it with PVC pipe, instead birds per acre. of wood, to lighten it. Some producers have installed a gabled tarp roof tarp to allow more The chickens should be rotated through heat to escape. different pens; otherwise, a classic dirt chicken yard can result. Vegetation may disappear, Salatin’s pastured poultry model is described in because chickens are rough on plants and too great detail in his popular 330-page book, much hot manure is deposited. Medicated feed Pastured Poultry Profits (6). This publication may be needed to control disease in an

ATTRA // SUSTAINABLE CHICKEN PRODUCTION Page 3 overcrowded chicken yard, but rotating the production model, the birds could possibly be chickens to fresh ground helps prevent disease. reluctant to range outside—young birds are especially tentative. However, raising the birds Entrepreneur David Wilson (10) led an effort in in a house with a high level of natural lighting this decade to establish semi-intensive broiler and using a small house with multiple exits may production on a commercial level in the U.S. encourage young Cornish cross birds to venture Based in Kentucky, Wilson used contracted outside. If they are still reluctant to leave the growers with older chicken houses, some built house, placing a range feeder outside may in the 50’s, on their farms. The flocks were encourage them. Another alternative is to use generally no larger than 6000 birds—actual flock breeds that are more conducive to foraging; size depended on the square footage of the however, the market conformation of the breed particular house. Stocking density was 1 square is important since most consumers expect birds foot per bird in the houses (industry averages to have plump breasts. are about 0.5 to 0.7 square feet) and 22 square feet per bird on the range. Wilson believes an “Yard and coop” ideal set-up would be 4500 birds in a 4500 square foot house. "Yard and coop" is a catch-all term referring to poultry operations that do not include a formal The total range space was usually a couple of plan for rotating pasture or have no pasture acres around the house. According to a former access at all. Some producers let chickens, production manager, John Purdy (11), it was mainly layers, roam the farm at will, shutting problematic setting out the range area since the them up at night to protect against predators. houses were built without regard to range. While this is a low-input system, disadvantages Wilson believes an ideal would be to have at include loss to predators and droppings in least two ranges in order to rotate. If the house undesired places. It is generally not practical for is oriented east-west, then it would be possible commercial production. to have north and south ranges. Wilson did not have the opportunity to improve the range, but Many producers raise chickens in the familiar he believes that with legume plantings, ranges chicken coop. Much literature is available on could provide a substantial portion of the chicken coops. The magazine Countryside & broilers’ diet. Small Stock Journal publishes many articles on this topic; a useful book is the Homesteader’s The broiler operation was year-round, but the Handbook to Raising Small Livestock (see birds did not go outdoors when the temperature Resources Section). For more information on dropped below 40ºF, making a 90-day window general small-scale chicken housing and in Kentucky in which the birds stayed indoors. equipment such as nestboxes, waterers, roosts, During this time, stocking density was reduced etc., refer to books and other materials that are and alfalfa was added to the feed. The birds listed in the Resources Section. were allowed to range at 4 weeks of age during the summer and 5 weeks during the fall. Some producers use unusual housing for small flocks such as hoophouses, where a loose-litter There was a low incidence of parasites, even system is employed. The second edition of the though parasiticides were not included in the book Chicken Tractor (12) describes how to diet. Wilson speculates that since it was a build a bale house as winter protection for closed system and biosecurity was high, layers. There has been continued interest in parasites never got established. Disease was not incorporating poultry into greenhouses. a problem. In Europe, open-ended houses with covered Purdy speculated that if a producer used straw yards for layers as an intermediate system conventional Cornish cross birds in this between wholly outdoor and wholly indoor.

ATTRA // SUSTAINABLE CHICKEN PRODUCTION Page 4 Deep litter houses are more fully enclosed. : A Designer’s Manual (14) offers Other enclosed models include aviaries and further permaculture designs for poultry. percheries. Contact ATTRA for more information on the use of chickens in permaculture systems Innovative A "composting chicken house" provides an The “chicken tractor,” developed by Andy Lee, alternative for manure management in is designed to be integrated with vegetable buildings where manure and litter accumulate. production. It is a floorless pen, usually 4’x10’, About six inches of dry material, such as enclosed with chicken wire and a covered top as sawdust or straw, is spread on the dirt floor of protection against the weather. Twenty broilers the poultry house and sprayed with compost are kept in this size pen. The pen is moved starter. Scratching by the birds helps mix the daily on fallow beds. You may need twice the dry material and the chicken manure—these garden space to use this system, but this allows products then begin to decompose, eventually the land to be “treated” every other year. Your becoming compost. The compost is periodically land will become very fertile—doubling garden rototilled to keep a crust from forming. yields or better. The chickens weed, till, and Additional litter or water may be added if the fertilize the beds. They also help in insect mixture becomes too wet or dry. A side benefit control. In addition to a concentrate ration, is that the composting process stabilizes the kitchen and garden wastes are thrown in the floor temperature at about 70°, keeping the birds pens as feed. more comfortable in winter and summer. Litter compost is removed from the house periodically There are several different ways the chicken to be used as or sold. Composting tractor is used in a garden. The pen is rotated chicken houses are described in a late-80’s daily to a fresh spot as described above. Or the publication called Down on the Farm . This pen can stay stationary, and fresh straw bedding inexpensive publication describes the is added daily to create a raised garden bed. composting chicken house operated by Natural This is especially useful in areas with poor soil. Foods Associates (15). Or something in between these two systems: the pen stays on the garden bed longer than one day, but less than one month. This puts a sheet- Breeds for pasture-based production mulch on top of the beds to kill grass and weeds and add fertility. Andy Lee’s book Chicken Light, heavy and dual-purpose chickens have Tractor (12) provides detailed information. been bred to suit different production goals. The light breeds lay large quantities of eggs and There are also various permaculture models for are generally nervous birds which are not range chicken production permaculture inclined to become "broody." The heavy breeds integrates natural systems with human needs and their crosses are used for meat production, for food, shelter, fiber, etc. An example is a primarily broilers. Rhode Island Reds and system in which a central chicken house has Whites and Barred Plymouth Rocks are dual- doors (popholes) to provide access to four purpose breeds—large birds that produce eggs different yards. Chickens have access to a single as well as meaty broilers. They are useful for quarter for 2 months. When the chickens finish small flocks. tilling and weeding one of the yards (a quarter), they are excluded from the quarter. The quarter Pastured poultry producer Joel Salatin (5) can then be planted to high-value crops like recommends choosing a meat type that vegetables and flowers, followed by forage consumers are accustomed to, such as the crops (rye, buckwheat, alfalfa. etc.) that the industry type, Cornish cross. Although this birds will eat when they move back to the breed is not an aggressive forager, it is a fast- quarter in 6 months (13) Bill Mollison’s book grower. Other breeds may have less meaty

ATTRA // SUSTAINABLE CHICKEN PRODUCTION Page 5 breasts. It is important to find a supplier that Sanitation and isolation you are happy with. Some have their own breeding flocks; others buy eggs from other Sanitation and isolation are preventative hatcheries. measures to control disease problems. The "all- in, all-out" approach is a useful way to maintain Entrepreneur David Wilson’s (10) emphasis in flock health in confined flocks. Under this pasture-based production was culinary. He method, each batch of birds is treated as a unit wanted to produce a differentiated chicken from the time it arrives on the farm until product—a chicken with an exceptional taste. departure. Facilities are thoroughly cleaned and He was introduced to French chicken by disinfected between batches of birds. Producers European-trained chefs and he imported the La not using the "all-in, all-out" approach should Belle Rouge™, which is a trademark for breeds quarantine new birds for two weeks or more to accepted into a French program that promoted make sure they are not bringing in diseases. range production. Since the birds are typically However, in general it is a good policy not to harvested at about 9 to 11 weeks, the slower add new birds to an old flock. Human visitors growout may also contribute to flavorfulness. may introduce diseases if they have been around other flocks. Borrowed poultry The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy equipment, rodents, and poultry shows can be (16) can recommend endangered poultry breeds further sources of disease. Sick or dead poultry that need protection. An important part of should be removed promptly. Mixing different sustainability is maintaining a wide genetic species of poultry can spread infections. A base. disease may not affect one type of poultry and therefore be hidden, but it may be devastating to another species. An example is blackhead, Feeding Options which can be spread from chickens to turkeys.

For information on feeding, home-mixed In contrast to the “all-in, all-out” approach rations, certified organic diets, feeding concerns which includes thorough sanitation between for pastured birds, please see the ATTRA batches, some small-scale producers believe that publication Feeding Chickens. disinfection not only kills pathogens but also beneficial microbes. For example, some producers do not clean facilities between Flock Health in Alternative Poultry Production brooder batches because they believe the bedding helps new chicks build defenses Chickens in the past used to be range-raised. against diseases they will eventually encounter, However, commercial poultry houses may have such as coccidiosis. large amounts of fecal dust and ammonia in the air, and bird density may be high (25,000 birds Vaccination in a building 40' x 400'). These conditions require routine medication such as antibiotics. Vaccination may be done by the , but Public concern exists about the routine use of chicks can also be bought unvaccinated. It is antibiotics in livestock production and the recommended to vaccinate for Marek's disease perceived risk of transfer to humans of strains of as a rule of thumb, and consider vaccination bacteria resistant to antibiotics. Concern about programs, particularly for layers, since they are possible residues in meat and eggs also kept longer than broilers (17). Producers should contributes to consumer interest in poultry be aware of the risks of not vaccinating—if a raised with a minimum of medication. The disease outbreak occurs, it may be necessary to following sections discuss health concerns for get rid of the whole flock. If there are a lot of both indoor and outdoor flocks, with details on neighboring flocks in an area, it is especially the special health concerns for outdoor flocks. important that disease control be effective, so

ATTRA // SUSTAINABLE CHICKEN PRODUCTION Page 6 that diseases do not spread. It may be wise to eliminated on well-run pasture-based chicken consult with a local veterinarian or Extension farms; however, the possibility for disease personnel about the importance of vaccinations. outbreaks still exists.

Alternative treatments Farmers should be aware that chickens raised by pasture-based methods are exposed more Some "natural products" like diatomaceous frequently to wild animals, which can transmit earth (DE) have been used for control of external parasites and diseases. may be and sometimes internal parasites in livestock, transmitted by wild birds (17). Fowl cholera including chickens. DE is the fossilized remains may especially be a problem in outdoor birds of diatoms, tiny sea organisms, which have (17). One study showed that mortality can be microscopic cutting edges that may pierce the higher in free-range than caged production (i.e. outer protective layers of insects and parasites, 15% compared to 4%) (21), but this depends on causing them to die by dehydration. Some many factors. producers believe DE is effective, based on their experiences; however, its efficacy has not been is generally not recommended for documented by research. Cedar chips, tobacco, range birds—it makes foraging more difficult. petroleum oil, and brewer's yeast have also been Although cannibalism can be reduced by used to control external parasites such as lice. debeaking, many range flocks do not suffer from cannibalism. Homeopathic treatments in chickens have been used as an alternative to antibiotics in Germany Control of predators is necessary for outdoor and have been particularly treating respiratory flocks. Tight fences around the range area and diseases and diarrhea (18). A U.S. referral housing where birds can be locked in at night service, the American Holistic Veterinary can deter predators. Portable housing should Medical Association (19), may be a source of have close contact points with the ground. Joel further information on alternative treatments. Salatin (5) has found that many predators will Some producers believe that probiotics are not cross a short-grass pasture in the daytime. useful in preventing disease in poultry. Guardian animals such as well-trained dogs Probiotics are live microbial feed supplements may be useful in combatting predators. that may improve livestock health by "feeding" beneficial gut microbes. Weather conditions can be big variables for outdoor operations. The spread of disease is Poultry books and the Extension service are worse for outdoor birds during the times of the useful in poultry disease identification, year when mosquitoes are active and during treatment, and preventative care. Gail wet, rainy conditions. Mosquitoes spread some Damerow's The Chicken Health Handbook (20) diseases such as fowl pox (17). Standing water is a very practical resource guide for small-scale and runoff from heavy rains can be health producers. It is written for non-vets and hazards for chickens on pasture, especially in includes sections on chicken health, parasites, portable pens. Pastured poultry producer Joel diseases, diagnosis, and postmortem. Salatin puts a hay pad under a roofed section of his field pens to allow the birds to get dry. Special Health Concerns for Pasture-based birds Larger birds can take the cold if they are dry; Stress plays a role in the bird’s immune system. however, severe cold will freeze chickens' According to David Wilson (10), stress is combs. If the temperature gets above 90° F, reduced by access to range, small flocks, and birds over seven weeks suffer—Salatin's field low stocking density. Since chickens are pens need to be slightly propped up for aggressive, being able to escape from each other ventilation under these conditions. Shade may reduces stress. Routine medication can often be be necessary.

ATTRA // SUSTAINABLE CHICKEN PRODUCTION Page 7 Internal parasite control is aided by pasture In large-scale confinement operations, chicken rotation, helping to prevent coccidiosis and litter should be managed so that it becomes a worms that affect ranging chickens. Salatin resource instead of a source of pollution. does not return to the same plot of land for three Poultry litter is often spread on fields as a years in his rotation and finds mortality from fertilizer or fed to cattle. These practices need to disease to be low (two to three percent). Most of be done properly to assure that excess nutrients the literature from the 30’s and 40’s, when birds do not pollute the environment. were commonly pastured, recommends waiting at least one year before returning to the same ATTRA can provide information on alternative plot of land. Birds can build up some resistance methods of fly control in poultry housing. to coccidiosis as they get older, but they are Integrated pest management is carried out with susceptible when young. Keeping the grass biological controls such as the release of wasps short (two inches), by mowing or following a that parasitize fly pupae; physical controls such cattle rotation, aids in sanitizing the pasture— as light traps, baited traps, and nontoxic sticky sunlight penetrates to the grass and soil. tapes; and cultural controls such as removing moist manure, spilled feed, and drainage Grower/writer Gail Damerow suggests problems. eliminating intermediate hosts of internal parasites, such as snails, and avoiding mixing chickens of different ages as methods to prevent Processing and Marketing parasites (20). For more information on slaughter, processing equipment, regulations, marketing, and the General Management Concerns organic market, see the ATTRA publication Processing and Marketing Chicken Products: For more information on general topics— Meat and Eggs. managing breeders, brooding, natural incubation and hatching, molting, etc.—consult some of the publications on poultry production Integrating Chickens onto the Farm listed in the Resource Section. Small-scale poultry production is Carcass disposal options are various. Burial and complementary with vegetable production. burning are often used to dispose of dead Combining poultry production with vegetable chickens, but composting is an alternative that production can provide weed and insect recycles the carcasses. When composting is the controls and fertilization benefits. Chickens eat option chosen, a carbon source such as sawdust insects in some vegetable crops, such as or straw is added. When composting is potatoes, without damaging the plants. properly done, temperatures above 130° F Chickens may be allowed access to the garden destroy pathogens and convert carcasses to after harvest to provide manure for increased fertilizer (22). The Extension Service in soil fertility. Maryland offers a video called "Composting Poultry Mortality" (23). One entrepreneur has Ducks, guineafowl, and geese have also been fed poultry and hog carcasses to alligators. used for controlling insects and weeds (24). In , chickens and geese eat fallen, pest- Disposal pits are often used in large-scale damaged fruit and can be effective in weed and production, but may be outlawed in some states insect control. Researchers at Michigan State because of concern about ground water University (25) have studied the use of chickens pollution. With any method, it is recommended and geese in orchards. Chickens were found to to be aware of local regulations about carcass control insect pests while geese aided in weed disposal. control.

ATTRA // SUSTAINABLE CHICKEN PRODUCTION Page 8 Chickens are sometimes used for tillage— Of the common domestic species of poultry, clearing surface weeds and bulbs out of a plot of only geese do well on a grass-only diet; land and preparing the ground for planting chickens, turkeys, and ducks need some grain. vegetables. As described earlier, many Geese and ducks are more resistant to disease permaculture systems use chickens for tillage, and parasites than chickens and turkeys, and, as rotating chickens through fenced areas, where waterfowl, are more able to withstand they stay for a period of several weeks, clearing temperature extremes and wet weather. In out vegetation, scratching, and fertilizing the addition to the meat and eggs provided by geese soil with their manure and preparing the and ducks, these poultry provide other services ground for planting. Other livestock operations such as insect, snail, and slug control. can be combined with chicken production. Grazing poultry can work well with other Guineafowl are considered luxury food in livestock in controlled . Europe where they are raised commercially. Organic operations can be enhanced by Their pheasant-like meat is appreciated in the having chickens follow the cattle rotation and U.S., but they are raised primarily as foragers to eat insects—chickens pick apart dung pats, control insects in pastures and gardens. destroying harbors for parasites and insect Guineafowl and geese can also act as larvae. "watchdogs" due to their noisy calls when alarmed.

Other Poultry in Sustainable Production Poultry species are also valued for show and are exhibited. Some poultry enthusiasts are Turkeys are considered more fragile than concerned about the preservation of minor chickens and more susceptible to disease, but breeds of poultry and believe a wide genetic turkeys are more aggressive foragers than diversity should be maintained. The American chickens. On a small scale, market turkeys Livestock Breeds Conservancy (16) works to may be a seasonal operation, since poults could protect minor breeds from extinction, including be started in June and ready for the holiday poultry breeds. market in November. Contact ATTRA for information on adapting sustainable poultry Many other avian species are raised production models for turkeys—the pastured commercially, such as quail, pigeon and ratites. poultry model, the free-range model, and the ATTRA can provide production information on chicken tractor are commonly used with turkey these species, as well as on other forms of production. poultry—such as turkeys, geese (weeder), ducks, guineafowl, and gamebirds. Weeder geese were used on a large scale in California in the '50s to weed cotton fields before the widespread use of herbicides. Geese Further Resources have been used successfully to weed crops such as strawberries, potatoes, onions, etc. Geese Extension and state Agricultural Experiment have a strong preference for immature grasses Stations have older literature (from the '30s and but sometimes eat ripe fruits and berries. '40s) describing small-scale and pasture methods of raising poultry—this literature is Duck is more commonly eaten in Europe and available at land grant university libraries. Asia than in the U.S., where only three percent of the population eats duck (26). Ducks have County and state Extension agents may be good been used for aquatic plant control in ponds, sources of information on small-scale poultry especially for duckweed and pondweed. production. The University of Maryland Muscovy ducks have been used for fly control Extension service offers the publication, Sources on dairy farms. of Poultry and Supplies for Small Flocks (27),

ATTRA // SUSTAINABLE CHICKEN PRODUCTION Page 9 that lists poultry resources for egg production, 3) Elson, H.A. 1988. Poultry management meat, turkeys, purebreeds, guineafowl, systems: Looking to the future. World gamebirds, waterfowl, as well as equipment and Poultry Science Journal. Vol. 44. p. 103-109. supplies, etc. The 4-H clubs can support poultry production and may aid in providing good 4) Beck-Chenoweth, Herman. 1996. Free- Range Poultry Production and stock. Marketing. Back Forty Books, Creola, OH. Order from: The Farming Alternatives Program at Cornell Back Forty Books University in New York offers a Specialty 26328 Locust Grove Road Poultry Resources Information Package that Creola, OH 45622 discusses marketing poultry products, grazing 740-596-3079 poultry, organic poultry production, and $39.50 (plus $4.50 s/h) resources (28). 5) Joel and Teresa Salatin A list of books and magazines dealing with Polyface Farms, Inc. Rt. 1, Box 281 small-scale and alternative poultry production Swoope, VA 24479 follows at the end of this publication. A (540) 885-3590 particularly useful book is Gail Damerow's A Guide to Raising Chickens (29). Other 6) Salatin, Joel. 1993. Pastured Poultry Profits. alternative poultry producers are also good Polyface, Swoope, VA. 330 p. sources of information. 7) The Stockman Grass Farmer P.O. Box 2300 Summary Ridgeland, MS 39158-2300 1-800-748-9808 Book ($30 plus $4.50 s/h) Although the present poultry industry offers Video ($50) affordable products, many farmers are interested in alternative poultry production. 8) APPPA Market potential exists for "farm-fresh" poultry Diane Kaufman products. Many models for pasture-based Sun Dance Hill Farm production exist—producers must decide which Rt 2, Box 125 one best fits their needs. Alternative poultry Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 production, usually small-scale, may involve a 715-723-2262 grazing component and emphasizes preventative measures for health maintenance. 9) Heifer Project International Skip Polson 1015 S. Louisiana Little Rock, AR 72202 References: 1-800-422-1311 1) Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. 10) David Wilson 1993. Arkansas Poultry Production. 1436 Century Rd. University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR. 21 p. Auburn, KY 42206 502-542-6928 2) Appleby, Michael C., Barry O. Hugher, and H. Arnold Elson. 1992. Poultry 11) John Purdy Production Systems: Behaviour, Management P.O. Box 475 and Welfare. CAB International, Frankfort, KY 40602 Wallingford, Oxon, U.K. 238 p. 502-564-3410 ext. 180

ATTRA // SUSTAINABLE CHICKEN PRODUCTION Page 10 References: (continued) 22) Barton, T. Lionel and Raymond C. Benz. 1994. Composting Poultry Carcasses. 12) Lee, Andy. 1998. Chicken Tractor. Straw MP 317. Arkansas Extension Service, Bale Edition. Good Earth Little Rock, AR. 12 p. Publications. Columbus, NC. 320 p. Order from: 3) Video Resource Center Good Earth Publications 0120 Symons Hall 1702 Mountain View Rd. College Park, MD 20742 Buena Vista, VA 24416 301-405-4594 540-261-8775 ($19.95) $50

13) Anon. 1994. Permaculture for Poultry. 24) McWilliams, John. 1993. Chickens in the African Farming. February. p. 13-14. garden: possibilities in pest control. Countryside & Small Stock Journal. 14) Mollison, Bill. 1988. Permaculture: A September-October. p. 28-29. Designer's Manual. Tagari Publications, Tyalgum, Australia. 25) Dr. Stuart Gage Michigan State University 15) Natural Food Associates Department of Entomology Bill Francis East Lansing, MI 48824 P.O. Box 210 517-355-4662 Atlanta, TX 75551 903-796-3612 26) Anon. 1990. Ducks are worth raising on the homestead. Countryside & Small Stock 16) American Livestock Breeds Conservancy Journal. March-April. p. 20. P.O. Box 477 Pittsboro, NC 27312 27) Wabeck, Charles, J. 1993. Sources of Poultry 919-542-5704 and Supplies for Small Flocks. University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, LESREC, 17) Dr. Lionel Barton (retired) Princess Anne, MD. 5 p. Order from: University of Arkansas LESREC-Princess Anne Facility Dept. of Poultry Sciences 11990 Strickland Dr. Fayetteville, AR 72701 Princess Anne, MD 21853 501-575-6529 Attn: Dr. Wabeck (410-651-9111)

18) Anon. 1993. Hooray for homeopathy! Ohio 28) Hilchey, Duncan. 1993. Specialty Poultry Ecological Food & Farm Resources Information Packet. Farming Association News. Winter. p. 15. Alternatives Program, Department of Rural Sociology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. 19) American Holistic Veterinary Medical 10 p. Association 2214 Old Emmorton Rd. Humane Society. 1993. The Humane Consumer and Bel Aire, MD 21015 Producer Guide: Buying and Producing Farm 410-569-0795 Animals for a Humane, Sustainable Agriculture. Humane Society of the U.S. and International 20) Damerow, Gail. 1994. The Chicken Health Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture. Washington, Handbook. Storey Communications, DC. 368 p. Pownal, VT. 353 p.

21) Phelps, Anthony. 1991. Alternative systems Enclosure: to cages need time, say researchers. Feedstuffs. August 19. p. 21. Traupman, Michael. 1990. Profitable poultry on pasture. The New Farm. May-June. p. 20, 23.

ATTRA // SUSTAINABLE CHICKEN PRODUCTION Page 11 Resource Section: Lee, Andy and Patricia Foreman. Date unknown. Straw Bale Chicken House: The Affordable, Publications: Sustainable, Compostable Way to House Your Hens and Mulch Your Garden. Good Earth Publications, Batty, J. 1990. Natural Incubators and Rearing. Columbus, NC. Pages unknown. Nimrod Press Ltd., Hants, Hampshire, UK. 111 p. Thear, Katie. 1990. Free-Range Poultry. Published Belanger, Jerome. 1974. The Homesteader's by Farming Press Books, Ipswich, U.K. Distributed by Handbook to Raising Small Livestock. Rodale Press, Diamond Farm Enterprises, Alexandria Bay, NY. Inc., Emmaus, PA. Cover page, p. 63-87. 179 p.

Bishop, John P. No date. Protected Free-Range: Graves, Will. 1985. Raising Poultry Successfully. Moveable Henhouse with Free-Access Range Run for Williamson Publishing, Charlotte, VT. 192 p. Single-Sire Flock of 25. Poultry Development Service, Marysville, OH 16 p. Order from: Worthington, Jim. A Profit from Free-Range Poultry. Poultry Development Service he Henry Doubleday Research Association, 11806 SR 347 Braintree, Essex UK. 46 p. Marysville, OH 43040 513-348-2344 Magazines:

Damerow, Gail. 1993. Your Chicken: A Kid's Guide Countryside and Small Stock Journal to Raising and Showing. Storey Communications, W8333 Doepke Road Inc. Pownall, VT. 156 p. Waterloo, WI 53594 Bimonthly, yearly subscription $18.00. Feltwell, Ray. 1980. Small-Scale Poultry Keeping. Faber and Faber Ltd., London, England. 170 p.

Prepared by Anne Fanatico, NCAT Agriculture Specialist.

February 1998

IP014

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