Contact/s:
Kelli Talving
kelli.talving@metk.agri.ee
Pastured Poultry: Portion Herding for Laying Hens
Estonia
Mixed Forest Sub-region of the Atlantic Continental region of the Temperate zone
- Animal Welfare: Portion herding supports hens' ethological needs, enhancing well-being.
- Farmer Benefits: Low-cost entry into agriculture, no need for expensive aviary infrastructure or large arable land, improves grassland quality.
- Consumer Advantage: Pastured poultry eggs offer higher nutritional value than conventional eggs.
Thematic Areas
Production System/s
Summary for Practicioners on the Main Finding(s)/Innovative solution(s)
Pastured poultry is an alternative method of keeping chickens. In regenerative agriculture, this term refers to chicken portion grazing. Depending on the size of the chickens’ running area, they stay in one place for 2–3 days. During this time, they eat the youngest parts of plants, fertilize, and aerate the soil by scratching.
Chicken portion grazing mimics how animals move in nature. They eat the best and youngest parts of plants, contribute fertilizer through manure, and slightly mix and loosen the soil. This method is highly effective in improving grassland health. After just one or two grazing sessions, vegetation becomes noticeably lusher.
Since the chickens remain in one place for only a few days, they constantly have clean ground and fresh green feed. They can consume nutrient-rich plants, insects, and small stones necessary for digestion. Sunlight and daylight strengthen their immune system. Being naturally curious and sharp birds, they can live as natural a life as possible on the pasture.
In winter, the chickens stay in a large, unheated greenhouse. Chickens are more sensitive to wetness and wind than to low temperatures, and the greenhouse provides excellent protection. Deep bedding helps keep their feet warm.
A short digestive tract ensures that much of the chickens’ valuable food and good living conditions contribute to the quality of their eggs. Thanks to their diet of grass and insects, pasture-raised chickens’ eggs contain significantly more vitamins and minerals.
Summary for Practicioners in Native Language
Rohumaal kanade karjatamine on alternatiivne pidamisviis, taastavas põllumajanduses peetakse selle termini all silmas kanade portsjonkarjatamist. Olenevalt kanade jooksuala suurusest on nad ühe koha peal 2-3 päeva. Selle ajaga nad söövad ära taimede kõige nooremad otsad, väetavad natukene ning õhutavad siblimisega mulda. Tegemist on väga efektiivse rohumaid tervistava meetodiga. Juba ühe-kahe karjatamise järel on taimestik märgatavalt lopsakam kui enne.
Kuna kanad on ühe koha peal kõigest paar päeva, on neil pidevalt puhas jalgealune ja värske roheline ninaesine. Nad saavad süüa toitaineterohkeid taimi, putukaid ja kanadele seedimiseks vajalikke pisikesi kive. Päike ja päevavalgus annab oma panuse immuunsüsteemile. Oma olemuselt väga uudishimulikud ja terased linnud saavad rohumaal elada nii liigiomast elu kui vähegi võimalik.
Talvisel ajal on kanad suures kütteta kasvuhoones. Kanad ei karda niivõrd madalaid temperatuure kui niiskust ja tuult, mille eest kasvuhoone neid ideaalselt kaitseb. Sügavallapanu annab oma panuse sooja jalgealuse hoidmisel.
Lühike seedetrakt tagab selle, et palju kanade väärtuslikust söögist ja heast elust jõuab ka muna sisse. Tänu rohu ja putukate söömisele on rohumaakanade munades oluliselt rohkem vitamiine ja mineraale.
Longer Description
Pastured poultry is an alternative method of keeping chickens. In regenerative agriculture, this term refers to chicken portion grazing. Depending on the size of the chickens’ running area, they stay in one place for 2–3 days. During this time, they eat the youngest parts of plants, fertilize, and aerate the soil by scratching.
Chicken portion grazing mimics how animals move in nature. They eat the best and youngest parts of plants, contribute fertilizer through manure, and slightly mix and loosen the soil. This method is highly effective in improving grassland health. After just one or two grazing sessions, vegetation becomes noticeably lusher.
Since the chickens remain in one place for only a few days, they constantly have clean ground and fresh green feed. They can consume nutrient-rich plants, insects, and small stones necessary for digestion. Sunlight and daylight strengthen their immune system. Being naturally curious and sharp birds, they can live as natural a life as possible on the pasture.
In winter, the chickens stay in a large, unheated greenhouse. Chickens are more sensitive to wetness and wind than to low temperatures, and the greenhouse provides excellent protection. Deep bedding helps keep their feet warm.
A short digestive tract ensures that much of the chickens’ valuable food and good living conditions contribute to the quality of their eggs. Thanks to their diet of grass and insects, pasture-raised chickens’ eggs contain significantly more vitamins and minerals.