Organic poultry and egg production in the Netherlands

There are over 1 million organic laying hens in the Netherlands. Organic eggs are in high demand on the domestic market. Dutch organic poultry meat has a small but growing market share. To facilitate organic poultry farmers, Wageningen UR and Louis Bolk Institute carry out a variety of research aimed specifically at organic poultry meat and egg production. Hot topics are the protein content of poultry feed, organic rearing and animal health. The report contains sector facts, sector aspirations, current affairs and research projects

Less avian influenza risk birds in poultry free range areas covered with trees

N/

Health and welfare in organic poultry in Europe: state of the art and future challenges.

In Europe, over 4 million laying hens and 1.8 million broilers are kept according to the organic principles. Although the regulations are the same for every country, there is a large diversity in farm sizes and farming systems. In Switzerland, 220.000 laying hens are kept on 2100 farms, while in the Netherlands 700.000 hens are kept on 130 farms. In Switzerland, mean mortality is 8%, in the Netherlands mean mortality is 11%, mainly caused by infectious diseases. Regarding animal welfare, feather pecking is seen in 70% of the Dutch and in 50% of the Swiss flocks. Feather pecking has usually started during the rearing period. The main challenges for the future are reducing the vulnerability to diseases and decreasing the amount of feather pecking. In this respect, appro-priate rearing conditions are of crucial importance. Moreover, the consequences of large farm size and the layout of the outdoor run should receive more attention. These goals can be achieved by research, education of farmers and regulation

Farm level factors associated with feather pecking in organic laying hens

Farm-level factors that could be associated with feather pecking of layers kept in organic farming systems were monitored in 63 flocks from 26 farms located in different areas of The Netherlands. Data on housing and management practices were collected and plumage damage as a measure of feather pecking was scored at 50 weeks of age or older. No or little plumage damage was found in 18 (29%) flocks, moderate damage in 12 (19%) flocks and severe damage in 33 (52%) flocks. A high percentage of hens in the flock using the outdoor run, a young age at purchase and an increasing number of cockerels present in the flock were found to significantly decrease feather pecking damage at 50 weeks or older. Factors associated with increased usage of the outdoor run were smaller flock size, a young age at purchase, an increasing number of cockerels present in the flock and a higher percentage of cover in the run. Based on the results organic farmers are likely to benefit from rearing their own layers. They should keep cockerels with their layers. Other practices resulting in low feather pecking damage are stimulating the use of the outdoor run by making it attractive with vegetative or artificial cover or keeping the flock size at around 500 birds

Vision of Dutch organic dairy farmers on animal health and welfare

Dutch organic dairy farmers expressed their opinions on animal health and welfare in order to be able to communicate it internally (within the dairy sector) and externally (to consumers). A healthy animal in their opinion is free of physical and psychological discomfort, survives in a herd, takes enough food and behaves naturally. Disease resistance, both innate and achieved, plays a crucial role in health and welfare. Breeding should aim at health criteria and high production may even be sacrificed for good health. Prevention is more important than treatment. A diseased animal should, to some extend, be given the opportunity to recover by itself. However, needless suffering should be prevented by effective treatment, which only as a last remedy, may be antibiotics. For the assessment of suffering, the intensity and duration of pain should all be taken into account, as well as the course of the disease and its prognosis, feed and water intake, survival in the herd and body reserves. Moreover, more regulations are no guarantee for a better health and welfare. Housing, adequate feeding, care and the farmers’ attitude toward his animals all contribute to animal health and welfare

Utilising intrinsic robustness in agricultural production systems: Inventions for a sustainable development of agriculture

This paper explores the potential of utilising robust crops and livestock for improving sustainability of agriculture. Two approaches for dealing with unwanted fluctuations that may influence agricultural production, such as diseases and pests, are discussed. The prevailing approach, which we call the ‘Control Model’, is to protect crops and livestock from disturbances as much as possible, to regain balance with monitoring and intervention and to look for add-on solutions only. There are a number of problems associated with the Control Model, including reduced animal welfare, environmental pollution and low public support. An alternative approach, which we call the ‘Adaptation Model’, is based on reducing the consequences of disturbances rather than taking disturbances ou

Bomen voor Buitenkippen

Deze brochure is het eindproduct van praktijknetwerk ‘Bomen voor Buitenkippen’ (2012-2015). Samen met pluimveehouders is onderzocht hoe je met beplanting de uitloop zo goed mogelijk kunt inrichten. We hebben de volgende aspecten meegenomen: beschutting voor de kippen, opbrengst in de vorm van fruit, brandstof of strooisel, verspreiding van de kippen en daarmee ook hun mest, weren van watervogels en landschappelijke waarde. Pluimveehouders hebben fruitbomen, miscanthus of wilgen aangeplant. De wilgen vanuit het project ‘Kiplekker onder de wilgen’ van Probos. De ervaringen met al deze soorten beplanting vormen de basis van deze brochure

Biovermeerdering in de lift.

In Duitsland zijn er tekenen dat biologische legouderdieren aan een opmars zijn begonnen. Het eerste bedrijf is al van start