There are a couple problems with evaluating how much value chickens gain from pasture.
The first is that the current industrial practice is to produce both meat and eggs within a controlled, indoor environment. Perhaps most important, temperature is controlled. Outdoors, it's a little tougher on the birds and sometimes a lot tougher. Energy requirements go up.
The 2nd problem is that most of the research has been with broilers that are butchered between 2 and 3 months of age. My observation is that chicks eat very little other than their commercial feed
. Older birds become more adventuresome.
Honestly, I think it is quite optimistic to believe in 30% feed savings with pasturing broilers. Maybe this is a reasonable idea for laying hens, however.
Here's an abstract of research done at Trueman State University on pasturing broilers. You should know that this data is based on small samples. Some of the differences in feed conversion ratios are quite impressive but "Independent samples t-tests showed significance in all paired comparisons except Pastured versus Indoor Pen B." So, that one is too close to call. However, "These results supported the hypothesis that the outdoor birds supplement their diet with forage and insects."
A more recent study in South Africa using far larger numbers of birds came up with a 6% cost savings for day range birds. With today's feed costs, that's significant.
It is up to the individual to decide how much value to place on the finished product - meat in the freezer. And personally, I place a good deal higher value on the scrambled eggs in the pan
.
Steve
edited to say that in the SA study a grass-only pasture was provided and day ranging means that the chicks had to decide on their own if they wanted to leave the house and forage. They were not moved about in pens.
The first is that the current industrial practice is to produce both meat and eggs within a controlled, indoor environment. Perhaps most important, temperature is controlled. Outdoors, it's a little tougher on the birds and sometimes a lot tougher. Energy requirements go up.
The 2nd problem is that most of the research has been with broilers that are butchered between 2 and 3 months of age. My observation is that chicks eat very little other than their commercial feed
Honestly, I think it is quite optimistic to believe in 30% feed savings with pasturing broilers. Maybe this is a reasonable idea for laying hens, however.
Here's an abstract of research done at Trueman State University on pasturing broilers. You should know that this data is based on small samples. Some of the differences in feed conversion ratios are quite impressive but "Independent samples t-tests showed significance in all paired comparisons except Pastured versus Indoor Pen B." So, that one is too close to call. However, "These results supported the hypothesis that the outdoor birds supplement their diet with forage and insects."
A more recent study in South Africa using far larger numbers of birds came up with a 6% cost savings for day range birds. With today's feed costs, that's significant.
It is up to the individual to decide how much value to place on the finished product - meat in the freezer. And personally, I place a good deal higher value on the scrambled eggs in the pan
Steve
edited to say that in the SA study a grass-only pasture was provided and day ranging means that the chicks had to decide on their own if they wanted to leave the house and forage. They were not moved about in pens.
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