Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
There is little information about the types of breeds that organic producers are using for rearing
waterfowl and other poultry. Commercial breeds of waterfowl such as the Pekin duck and Em-
den goose and most other waterfowl breeds are suited for free-range organic production. Geese
do well on pasture since they are true grazers and can make excellent use of pasturage. Most
breeds of duck would also be suitable for organic production whether for eggs or meat. As with
chickens and turkeys, two important factors to consider when choosing breeds for organic pro-
duction are good feed conversion and adaptability to free-range conditions.
The brooding of organic chicks is identical in many ways to conventional brooding with a few
key differences. Although it is a commonly held belief that chicks and poults cannot be started
without coccidiostats and other antibiotics, organic producers have been doing just that with
excellent results. Many smaller producers (fewer than 1,000 birds) use a combination of
immunity-enhancing techniques such as apple cider vinegar, deep litter pack, soil contact, fresh
forage, and excellent nutrition. In my survey of smaller producers very few reported any prob-
lems with coccidiosis or other brooder diseases, though large commercial flocks may encounter
this disease more regularly due to stocking densities and associated stress.
Many organic producers also brood directly on pasture or provide young chicks with access
to sun porches or small runs. This technique helps acclimate young birds to the many environ-
mental factors they will face as adults on range. Early access to the outdoors accustoms chicks
to natural light cycles, weather patterns, predator risks, and foraging opportunities so they can
better thrive and produce under these conditions. However, it is not advisable to move young
birds out to pasture or range too early or in inclement weather just for the sake of getting them
out. If wet, cold, or dangerous conditions prevail outdoors, it is always preferable to continue
their confinement to the brooder until the transition is appropriate. Perhaps keeping young birds
housed and providing them with harvested forage or sod during harsh weather is a workable
solution.
The Author's Experience:Organic Brooder Management
3
As spring rolls into central New York, it is time to ready the brooder for chicks.
Most baby poultry we order, with the exception of Shell's broilers and the turkeys,
are readily available and can be ordered nearly any time. If broiler chicks are ordered
from large hatcheries like Reich's, there really isn't much of a rush either. There is,
