Humane and Healthy Poultry Production : A Manual for Organic Growers

by Glos, Karma

• ISBN13: 9781603583572
• ISBN10: 1603583572
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-04-15
• Publisher: Chelsea Green Pub Co

Summary

Part of the NOFA guides. Includes information on: Organic poultry basics Establishing the facilities (housing and equipment, choosing and using litter, outdoor access, brooding, grazing and pasturing) Purchasing and brooding chicks Organic feed and supplements Poultry health care in the organic system Management challenges (production and culling, spotted shells, yolk color) Slaughter and Processing Marketing Production expectations and economic viability

Author Biography

Karma Glos is the daughter of homesteading parents. She majored in field biology at Evergreen State College in her home state of Washington and worked briefly for the U.S. Forest Service studying small mammal ecology. With her husband, Michael, she has been building Kingbird Farm in upstate New York since 1996. Their successful, diverse operation includes hogs, poultry, beef, vegetables, and herbs with the help of many draft horses. She has a passion for healthful, innovative livestock husbandry practices.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. vii
Organic Poultry Basics	p. 1
Creating Humane, Healthful Conditions	p. 1
Poultry's Place on the Integrated Farm	p. 2
The Intersection of Size, Sustainability, and Profitability	p. 3
Establishing the Facilities	p. 4
Facilities and Stocking Densities	p. 5
Housing and Equipment Management	p. 8
Outdoor Access	p. 16
Beyond Outdoor Access: Grazing and Pasturing	p. 18
Purchasing and Brooding Chicks	p. 21
Meat Chickens	p. 21
Laying Hens	p. 22
Turkeys	p. 24
Waterfowl and Other Poultry Breeds	p. 26
Special Problems Brooding Organic Chicks	p. 26
Organic Feed and Supplements	p. 33
Basic Nutrition for Poultry	p. 33
Feeding Strategies	p. 36
Poultry Health Care in the Organic System	p. 40
The Role of Vaccinations in Organic Production	p. 41
Diagnosing and Treating Common Health Problems of Poultry	p. 43
Poisoning	p. 51
Specific Management Challenges	p. 56
Organic Broiler Management Issues	p. 56
Organic Layer Management Issues	p. 59
Organic Turkey Management Issues	p. 66
Waterfowl for Organic Production	p. 70
Organic Slaughter and Processing	p. 75
The Basics	p. 75
Composting Poultry By-Products	p. 76
Marketing Organic Poultry	p. 84
Packaging and Labeling	p. 84
ôOrganicö and Other Labeling Claims	p. 86
Production Expectations and Economic Viability of Organic Poultry	p. 88
Poultry Performance Benchmarks	p. 88
Budget Planning and Economic Viability	p. 89
Conclusion	p. 90
Appendices
Housing and Equipment Sources	p. 92
Fencing and Pasture Equipment Sources	p. 93
Hatcheries and Pullet Sources	p. 93
Certified Organic Feed, Grains, Supplements, and Health-Care Products	p. 95
Expert Consultants in Poultry	p. 96
Sample Feed Recipes	p. 96
The National Organic Program Final Rule	p. 98
Recommended Web Sites	p. 102
Endnotes	p. 104
Bibliography	p. 108
Index	p. 112
About the Author and Illustrator	p. 118
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