Pastured Meatbird Production Housing & Equipment Funding for this presentation was provided by USDA's Outreach and Assistance to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (OASDFR) program (Project number ), part of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and Risk Management Agency (Award # 11-IE )

Meatbird Housing Balance between: – Cost, Functionality, Portability Must fit management style – Pens – Day-Ranging – Fixed housing Brooders – Protect chicks until ready for pasture Balance between: – Cost, Functionality, Portability Must fit management style – Pens – Day-Ranging – Fixed housing Brooders – Protect chicks until ready for pasture

Pre-pasture – In the Brooder Chicks shipped from hatchery Supplemental heat required – Electric or Gas Bedding – litter Prevent Coccidiosis – Sanitary conditions – Feeders & waterers full Chicks out at 2-4 wks – Weather dependent Chicks shipped from hatchery Supplemental heat required – Electric or Gas Bedding – litter Prevent Coccidiosis – Sanitary conditions – Feeders & waterers full Chicks out at 2-4 wks – Weather dependent

Pasture Housing Designs Day Ranging Mobile Pens

Mobile PensSalatin design Portable, Inexpensive Moved once or 2x/day 10 ft x 12 ft x 2 ft Water via Bell waters 75 birds/pen Dolly used to move pen and protect birds Heat can be an issue Nearly predator proof Most common pen design Portable, Inexpensive Moved once or 2x/day 10 ft x 12 ft x 2 ft Water via Bell waters 75 birds/pen Dolly used to move pen and protect birds Heat can be an issue Nearly predator proof Most common pen design

Day-Ranging Pen Design Falling Sky Farm Pens 10 ft x 12 ft x ~6 ½ ft 60 birds/pen Penning broilers Day ranging turkeys & ducks Easy to work in (taller) Falling Sky Farm Pens 10 ft x 12 ft x ~6 ½ ft 60 birds/pen Penning broilers Day ranging turkeys & ducks Easy to work in (taller)

Day Ranging Pen Design Birds allowed outside pen More foraging – Insects & plants – Less trampling Manure spread more Still move daily – More freedom Electric Poultry Netting – Has to be moved too Birds allowed outside pen More foraging – Insects & plants – Less trampling Manure spread more Still move daily – More freedom Electric Poultry Netting – Has to be moved too Cattle Panel Pen

Dolly for Moving Pens Made of conduit Slides under back of pen, tilt back pen rides on dolly Prevents: – bird injuries (esp. leg) – Pen damage Rocks Uneven ground Grass tuffs Made of conduit Slides under back of pen, tilt back pen rides on dolly Prevents: – bird injuries (esp. leg) – Pen damage Rocks Uneven ground Grass tuffs

Electric Poultry Netting Netting with built-in stakes designed to be electrified Very effective in excluding predators Typically 164 ft long Can drain charger in wet weather Netting with built-in stakes designed to be electrified Very effective in excluding predators Typically 164 ft long Can drain charger in wet weather

Poultry Waterers Chickens drink x2 more water by weight than feed they eat Good Water intake = more feed consumption = growth = $$$ Keep waterers level with chickens backs Bell waterers are most common on pasture Chickens drink x2 more water by weight than feed they eat Good Water intake = more feed consumption = growth = $$$ Keep waterers level with chickens backs Bell waterers are most common on pasture

Poultry Waterers Poultry die quickly in heat without adequate water Keep water in shade during heat. Consider additional water sources Watering thirsty birds is chaotic Consumption goes up 1-2% /˚F Need clean water source – Hurts feed conversion & $$$ – Dirty water clogs up waterers – Pond water wont work Poultry die quickly in heat without adequate water Keep water in shade during heat. Consider additional water sources Watering thirsty birds is chaotic Consumption goes up 1-2% /˚F Need clean water source – Hurts feed conversion & $$$ – Dirty water clogs up waterers – Pond water wont work

Poultry Feeders Can be expensive or homemade Dont have to restrict feed on pasture – Birds dont eat in dark of night Running out of feed = Stress = lost $$$ 4 inches linear/bird – less for round feeders Can be expensive or homemade Dont have to restrict feed on pasture – Birds dont eat in dark of night Running out of feed = Stress = lost $$$ 4 inches linear/bird – less for round feeders

Homemade PVC Feeder

Resources Organizations – ATTRA – the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service – – American Pastured Poultry Producers Association (APPPA) ATTRA Publications Magazines – GRIT! – APPPA Magazine Books – APPPA Raising Poultry on Pasture – Ten Years of Success. 246 p. – Salatin, Joel Pastured Poultry Profit$. 371 p. Organizations – ATTRA – the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service – – American Pastured Poultry Producers Association (APPPA) ATTRA Publications Magazines – GRIT! – APPPA Magazine Books – APPPA Raising Poultry on Pasture – Ten Years of Success. 246 p. – Salatin, Joel Pastured Poultry Profit$. 371 p.

Resources Suppliers – Cornerstone Farm Ventures - – Kuhl Poultry Supply - – Kencove Fencing- – Premier Fencing- Suppliers – Cornerstone Farm Ventures - – Kuhl Poultry Supply - – Kencove Fencing- – Premier Fencing-