Organic Research Ideas Related to Backyard Poultry Keeping

[centrarchid]

Today my research director pulled a co-worker and I aside directing us to develop and implement research directly suitable to backyard poultry keeping, not commercial. I have a few ideas, but also looking for other options. Rules laid down include management must be organic as will be conducted on our organic farm during the summer production season. It is likely trials will be conducted in a 20-acre field where an outer perimeter will keep an LGD (likely Akbash) from roaming to other paddocks. Co-worker is really partial to meat birds and chicken tractors which is likely to be a good part of what is done.

So far I am interested in the following:
1) Making better feces that is easier to clean up.
2) Use of Japanese Beetles as a feed component.
3) Use bio-attractor to concentrate insects for birds confined by poultry netting.
4) Explore methods to keep chickens from challenging poultry netting perimeter.

I am looking for thoughts on other questions that are of interest. There is a distinct possibility this be a multiple year effort if additional funding can be found. Every effort will be made to make so some aspect of information will be of value to conventional (non-organic) poultry keepers.

 

[Mrs. K]

What an interesting job you have!

 

[Cyprus]

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, or how you'd go about it, but I would be interested in effective ways to increase a chicken's ability to fight off disease.

 

[centrarchid]

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, or how you'd go about it, but I would be interested in effective ways to increase a chicken's ability to fight off disease.

That is big budget. We do not have expertise needed.

 

[aart]

#2 and #3 you've already got a good start on...do you think they may affect #1?

#4..I assume netting will be hot?
Howard has an interesting setup with using a single tape to control birds, might work inside the netting.

I would think the items you already have would be a good place to start,
adding more might make things too complicated for good data.
I look forward to your findings.

 

[centrarchid]

#2 and #3 you've already got a good start on...do you think they may affect #1?

#4..I assume netting will be hot?
Howard has an interesting setup with using a single tape to control birds, might work inside the netting.

I would think the items you already have would be a good place to start,
adding more might make things too complicated for good data.
I look forward to your findings.

I can get a good effect on hens for #1 but do not know minimum amounts in formulation to get job done. Additive is not some commercial producer will use because lowers nutrient density.

Netting will be hot. Howard's single tape approach is very, very iffy here as I have different breeds and different mix of pasture and cover patches that seem to really impact ranging habits. I live pretty close to him, same county I think. I would like to test approach I think keeps birds from even walking perimeter where there is cover well away from the perimeter fence. I am pretty sure it works, but really need to back it up with replication.

Must keep things simple this year. Will be putting everything together in a rush. Will post like done with Japanese beetles last year. Co-worker not so keen on behavior so will follow her lead where growth and conversion are more of a focus.

We have to get a dog lined up too which in my experience is not as easy as the experience of others indicates.

 

[annagoodspeed]

Re the feces thing... not sure about being easier to clean, but I have been using home made charcoal ( pit method biochar) to add to the bedding directly over feces, layered with hay. The birds also eat it. Some people are researching it as a feed additive. It greatly reduces the odor, and absorbs the ammonia, making the resulting composted bedding an amazing garden amendment. Check out research on biochar.
I use mostly berry and fruit tree prunings to make mine.

 

[centrarchid]

Re the feces thing... not sure about being easier to clean, but I have been using home made charcoal ( pit method biochar) to add to the bedding directly over feces, layered with hay. The birds also eat it. Some people are researching it as a feed additive. It greatly reduces the odor, and absorbs the ammonia, making the resulting composted bedding an amazing garden amendment. Check out research on biochar.
I use mostly berry and fruit tree prunings to make mine.

I have been using the biochar as a feed additive with fish feed and chicken feed. I am not certain if the material meets desired criteria for being organic. They can eat a lot and impact on feces is easy to see. Smelling has not been something I have done do date.

 

[annagoodspeed]

It is big with the carbon banking crowd, not sure about the organic guidelines, probably depends on the source.