Range use and pasture consumption in free-range poultry production
M. Singh A B C and A. J. Cowieson B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Poultry CRC, PO Box U242, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
B Poultry Research Foundation, University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: Mini.Singh@sydney.edu.au
Animal Production Science 53(11) 1202-1208 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN13199
Submitted: 8 July 2013 Accepted: 30 August 2013 Published: 17 September 2013
Abstract
The recent increase in free-range meat and egg production and consumption has led to extensive investigation in this area and has revealed that the level of animal performance achieved in such systems is low compared with that achieved in conventional production systems. In Australia, this difference has been attributed either to the absence of in-feed antibiotics or to range access, which may result in exposure to detrimental climatic conditions, predators, disease, welfare challenges and nutrient dilution. Moreover, although poultry in free-range systems have ready access to outside runs, not all birds utilise them optimally. Pasture consumption results in dilution of energy and protein intake and may cause impaction and dietary electrolyte imbalance. This paper provides an overview of these issues to provide a conceptual framework for further study in this area.
Additional keywords: free-range, pasture consumption, poultry, range enrichment, range usage.
References
Abbot R (2010) Hen housing systems and egg safety. Poultry International 49, 30, 32–33.ACMF (2011) ‘The Australian chicken meat industry: An industry in profile.’ (Australian Chicken Meat Federation (ACMF) Inc.: North Sydney, NSW)
AECL (2012) Australian Egg Corporation Limited Annual Report 2012. Australian Egg Corporation, North Sydney, NSW.
Almeida GFD, Hinrichsen LK, Horsted K, Thamsborg SM, Hermansen JE (2012) Feed intake and activity level of two broiler genotypes foraging different types of vegetation in the finishing period. Poultry Science 91, 2105–2113.
| Feed intake and activity level of two broiler genotypes foraging different types of vegetation in the finishing period.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Antell S, Ciszuk P (2006) Forage consumption of laying hens – the crop content as an indicator of feed intake and AME content of ingested forage. Archiv fur Geflugelkunde 70, 154–160.
Appleby MC, Hughes BO (1991) Welfare of laying hens in cages and alternative systems: environmental, physical and behavioural aspects. World’s Poultry Science Journal 47, 109–128.
| Welfare of laying hens in cages and alternative systems: environmental, physical and behavioural aspects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bassler A, Ciszuk P, Sjelin K (2000) Management of laying hens in mobile houses – A review of experiences. Ecological animal husbandry in the Nordic countries. In ‘NJF- Seminar No. 303. Tjele, Denmark. 16–17 September 1999’. (Eds JE Hermansen, V Lund, E Thuen) pp. 45–50. (Danish Research Centre for Organic Research: Tjele, Denmark)
Borges SA, Fischer da Silva AV, Majorka A, Hooge DM, Cummings KR (2004) Physiological responses of broiler chickens to heat stress and dietary electrolyte balance (sodium plus potassium minus chloride, milliequivalents per kilogram). Poultry Science 83, 1551–1558.
Borland EA, Hazel S, Glatz PC, Rodda BK, Rimmington H, Wyatt SC, Miao ZH (2010) Attracting laying hens into range areas using shelterbelts. In ‘Proceedings of the 21st Annual Australian Poultry Science Symposium. Sydney, 1–3 February 2010’. p. 134. (Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney: Sydney, NSW)
Bright A, Brass D, Clachan J, Drake KA, Joret AD (2011) Canopy cover is correlated with reduced injurious feather pecking in commercial flocks of free-range laying hens. Animal Welfare (South Mimms, England) 20, 329–338.
Bubier NE (1998) Movement of flocks of laying hens in and out of the hen house in four free-range systems. British Poultry Science 39, 5–6.
| Movement of flocks of laying hens in and out of the hen house in four free-range systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Campo JL, Prieto MT, Davila SG (2008) Effects of housing system and cold stress on heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, fluctuating asymmetry, and tonic immobility duration of chickens. Poultry Science 87, 621–626.
| Effects of housing system and cold stress on heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, fluctuating asymmetry, and tonic immobility duration of chickens.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD1c7otVyksg%3D%3D&md5=eabd23baeafe8bca0603bc4a177c9066CAS | 18339981PubMed |
Chapuis H, Baudron J, Germain K, Pouget R, Blanc L, Juin H, Guemene D (2011) Characterization of organic free range broiler exploratory behaviour obtained through RFID technology. In ‘Actes des 9emes Journees de la Recherche Avicole. Tours, France, 29–30 March 2011’. pp. 746–750. (INRA: Paris, France)
Christensen NH (1998) Alleviation of grass impaction in a flock of free-range hens. The Veterinary Record 143, 397
| Alleviation of grass impaction in a flock of free-range hens.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK1M%2FhvFSjug%3D%3D&md5=d0735d21d64584a15df3825f280fbea7CAS | 9802200PubMed |
Clench MH, Mathias JR (1995) Motility responses to fasting in the gastrointestinal tract of three avian species. The Condor 97, 1041–1047.
| Motility responses to fasting in the gastrointestinal tract of three avian species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dal Bosco A, Mugnai C, Sirri F, Zamparini C, Castellini C (2010) Assessment of a global positioning system to evaluate activities of organic chickens at pasture. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 19, 213–218.
| Assessment of a global positioning system to evaluate activities of organic chickens at pasture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dawkins MS, Cook PA, Whittingham MJ, Mansell KA, Harper AE (2003) What makes free-range broiler chickens range? In situ measurement of habitat preference. Animal Behaviour 66, 151–160.
| What makes free-range broiler chickens range? In situ measurement of habitat preference.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Deag JM (1996) Behavioural ecology and the welfare of extensively farmed animals. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 49, 9–22.
| Behavioural ecology and the welfare of extensively farmed animals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Durali T, Groves P, Cowieson AJ (2012) Comparison of performance of commercial conventional and free-range broilers. In ‘Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Australian Poultry Science Symposium. Sydney, 19–22 February 2012’ . p.28. (Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney: Sydney, NSW)
Elvehjem CA, Sober HA (1943) The nutritional significance of grass. Chronica Botanica 7, 301–303.
Eyles DE (1963) Non-ruminants. In ‘Animal health, production and pasture’. (Eds AN Worden, KC Sellers, DE Tribe) pp. 359–383. (Longmans: London)
Fanatico AC (1998) ‘Sustainable chicken production: Livestock production guide.’ (Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA): Fayetteville, AR, USA)
Glatz PC, Rodda BK, Rimmington H, Wyatt SC, Miao ZH (2010) Attracting laying hens into range areas using shade and forage. In ‘Proceedings of the 21st Annual Australian Poultry Science Symposium. Sydney, 1–3 February 2010’. p. 135. (Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney: Sydney, NSW)
Gordon SH, Forbes MJ (2002) Management factors affecting the use of pasture by table chickens in extensive production systems. In ‘UK Organic Research 2002: Proceedings of the COR Conference. Aberystwyth. 26–28 March 2002’. (Ed. J Powell et al.) pp. 264–272. Available at http://orgprints.org/8257/1/Gordon_Forbes_management_pasture_chickens.pdf [Verified 3 September 2013]
Grigor PN (1991) Emergence behaviour in domestic fowl. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 31, 295–296.
| Emergence behaviour in domestic fowl.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Grigor PN, Hughes BO (1993) Social inhibition of movement in free-range domestic fowl. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 35, 297–298.
| Social inhibition of movement in free-range domestic fowl.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Grigor PN, Hughes BO, Appleby MC (1995) Effects of regular handling and exposure to an outside area on subsequent fearfulness and dispersal in domestic hens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 44, 47–55.
| Effects of regular handling and exposure to an outside area on subsequent fearfulness and dispersal in domestic hens.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harlander-Matauschek A (2002) Space use of free-range laying hens, their distribution on range and the influence of pop-holes. Archiv fur Geflugelkunde 66, 145
Harlander-Matauschek A, Felsenstein K, Niebuhr K, Troxler J (2006) Influence of pop hole dimensions on the number of laying hens outside on the range. British Poultry Science 47, 131–134.
| Influence of pop hole dimensions on the number of laying hens outside on the range.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD283jtlyltg%3D%3D&md5=0d97f1a2214785f4b3409711a309abbcCAS | 16641023PubMed |
Hegelund L, Sørensen JT (2007) Developing a HACCP-like system for improving animal health and welfare in organic egg production – based on an expert panel analysis. Animal 1, 1018–1025.
| Developing a HACCP-like system for improving animal health and welfare in organic egg production – based on an expert panel analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC38vpt1Sktg%3D%3D&md5=d43728b955d6ca4564a56b15f903aa40CAS | 22444804PubMed |
Hegelund L, Kjaer JB, Kristensen IS, Sørensen JT (2002) Use of outdoor area by hens in commercial organic egg production systems. Effects of climatic factors and cover. In ‘11th European Poultry Conference Abstracts, 6–10 September, Bremen’. Special Issue II September in Archiv für Geflügelkunde vol. 2.1.6, p. 141. [Abstract]
Hegelund L, Sørensen JT, Kjær JB, Kristensen IS (2005) Use of the range area in organic egg production systems: effect of climatic factors, flock size, age and artificial cover. British Poultry Science 46, 1–8.
| Use of the range area in organic egg production systems: effect of climatic factors, flock size, age and artificial cover.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2M3gtFeiuw%3D%3D&md5=996807c2882d22af12b2d79a1bf28e0fCAS | 15835245PubMed |
Horsted K, Hermansen JE, Hansen H (2007) Botanical composition of herbage intake of free-range laying hens determined by microhistological analysis of faeces. Archiv fur Geflugelkunde 71, 145–151.
Hughes BO, Dun P (1983) Production and behaviour of laying domestic fowls in outside pens. Applied Animal Ethology 11, 201
| Production and behaviour of laying domestic fowls in outside pens.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | [abstract]
Icken W (2009) Free-range behaviour and laying performance of table egg hens. International Poultry Production 17, 15–16.
Jondreville C, Travel A, Besnard J, Feidt C (2011) Intake of herbage and soil by free-range laying hens offered a complete diet compared with a whole-wheat diet. In ‘Actes des 9emes Journees de la Recherche Avicole’. Tours, France, 29–30 March 2011. pp. 91–95. (INRA)
Jurjahz S, Germain K, Juin H, Jondreville C (2011) Ingestion of soil and plant matter by broilers in grassed or tree-planted outdoor runs. In ‘Actes des 9èmes Journées de la Recherche Avicole, Tours, France, 29–30 March 2011’. pp. 101–105. (INRA: Paris, France)
Keeling LJ, Hughes BO, Dun P (1988) Performance of free-range laying hens in a polythene house and their behaviour on range. Farm Building Progress 94, 21–28.
Kjaer JB (2000) Diurnal rhythm of feather pecking behaviour and condition of integument in four strains of loose housed laying hens. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 65, 331–347.
| Diurnal rhythm of feather pecking behaviour and condition of integument in four strains of loose housed laying hens.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kjaer JB, Sorensen P (1997) Feather pecking behaviour in White Leghorns, a genetic study. British Poultry Science 38, 333–341.
| Feather pecking behaviour in White Leghorns, a genetic study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK1c%2Fgs1Krug%3D%3D&md5=8bcb398e298a9ba636529366ef01cef5CAS | 9347139PubMed |
Kjaer JB, Sorensen P (2002) Feather pecking and cannibalism in free-range laying hens as affected by genotype, dietary level of methionine+cystine, light intensity during rearing and age at first access to the range area. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 76, 21–39.
| Feather pecking and cannibalism in free-range laying hens as affected by genotype, dietary level of methionine+cystine, light intensity during rearing and age at first access to the range area.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Koreleski J, Swiatkiewicz S, Arczewska-Wlosek A (2011) The effect of different dietary potassium and chloride levels on performance and excreta dry matter in broiler chickens. Czech Journal of Animal Science 56, 53–60.
Lay DC, Fulton RM, Hester PY, Karcher DM, Kjaer JB, Mench JA, Mullens BA, Newberry RC, Nicol CJ, Sullivan NPO, Porter RE (2011) Emerging Issues: Social sustainability of egg production symposium: Hen welfare in different housing systems. Poultry Science 90, 278–294.
| Emerging Issues: Social sustainability of egg production symposium: Hen welfare in different housing systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21177469PubMed |
Lomu MA, Glatz PC, Ru YJ (2004) Metabolizable energy of crop contents in free-range hens. International Journal of Poultry Science 3, 728–732.
| Metabolizable energy of crop contents in free-range hens.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lubac S, Mirabito L (2001) Relationship between activities of ‘Red label’ type chickens in an outdoor run and external factors. British Poultry Science 42, S14–S15.
Mahboub HDH, Muller J, von Borell E (2004) Outdoor use, tonic immobility, heterophil/lymphocyte ratio and feather condition in free-range laying hens of different genotype. British Poultry Science 45, 738–744.
| Outdoor use, tonic immobility, heterophil/lymphocyte ratio and feather condition in free-range laying hens of different genotype.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2M%2FmvVeisw%3D%3D&md5=dbb766e684e121336ece117764456c99CAS |
Mashaly M, Hendricks G, Kalama M, Gehad A, Abbas A, Patterson P (2004) Effect of heat stress on production parameters and immune responses of commercial laying hens. Poultry Science 83, 889–894.
Milby TT (1961) Range versus confinement for growing turkeys. Poultry Science 40, 46–50.
| Range versus confinement for growing turkeys.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mongin P (1981) Recent advances in dietary anion–cation balance: applications in poultry. The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 40, 285–294.
| Recent advances in dietary anion–cation balance: applications in poultry.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL3MXmtF2isrw%3D&md5=ae32958ef2c434768da63a3a521f7815CAS | 7301833PubMed |
Mußlick M, Reichardt W, Gayer P, Hochberg H (2004) Auslaufnutzung. In ‘Alternative Legehennenhaltung. Evaluierung Alternativer Haltungsformen für Legehennen. Schriftenreihe der Sächsischen Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft Heft 8’. (Eds U Bergfeld et al.). pp. 123–138. (Sächsische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft, Dresden)
Nagle TAD, Glatz PC (2012) Free range hens use the range more when the outdoor environment is enriched. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 25, 584–591.
| Free range hens use the range more when the outdoor environment is enriched.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Newberry RC, Shackleton DM (1997) Use of cover by domestic fowl: a Venetian blind effect? Animal Behaviour 54, 387–395.
| Use of cover by domestic fowl: a Venetian blind effect?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 9268471PubMed |
Nielsen BL, Thomsen MG, Sorensen P, Young JF (2003) Feed and strain effects on the use of outdoor areas by broilers. British Poultry Science 44, 161–169.
| Feed and strain effects on the use of outdoor areas by broilers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3szgtVahuw%3D%3D&md5=c754fe028e11a3a63487fd889cf229c0CAS | 12828199PubMed |
Ponte PIP, Alves SP, Bessa RJB, Ferreira LMA, Gama LT, Bras JLA, Fontes CMGA, Prates JAM (2008) Influence of pasture intake on the fatty acid composition, and cholesterol, tocopherols, and tocotrienols content in meat from free-range broilers. Poultry Science 87, 80–88.
| Influence of pasture intake on the fatty acid composition, and cholesterol, tocopherols, and tocotrienols content in meat from free-range broilers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhtVClur8%3D&md5=1e21e7e63408bea1e70e4ea022d65aeeCAS |
Reiter K, Oestreicher U, Peschke W, Damme K (2006) Individual use of free range by laying hens. In ‘EPC 2006—12th European Poultry Conference. Verona, Italy, 10–14 September, 2006’. Paper 346. (World Poultry Science Association: Beekbergen, The Netherlands)
Richards GJ, Wilkins LJ, Knowles TG, Booth F, Toscano MJ, Nicol CJ, Brown SN (2011) Continuous monitoring of pop hole usage by commercially housed free-range hens throughout the production cycle. The Veterinary Record 169, 338
| Continuous monitoring of pop hole usage by commercially housed free-range hens throughout the production cycle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3MfmtF2hsw%3D%3D&md5=ca3ec4282ec84d91e6e5abf4a5063dacCAS | 21846686PubMed |
Singh M, Durali T, Walker T, Cowieson AJ (2013) ‘Are we turning chickens into cows: How much grass do free range broilers eat? In ‘Proceedings of the 24th Annual Australian Poultry Science Symposium. Sydney, 17–20 February 2013’. p. 146. (Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney: Sydney, NSW)
Steenfeldt S, Kjaer JB, Engberg RM (2007) Effect of feeding silages or carrots as supplements to laying hens on production performance, nutrient digestibility, gut structure, gut microflora and feather pecking behaviour. British Poultry Science 48, 454–468.
| Effect of feeding silages or carrots as supplements to laying hens on production performance, nutrient digestibility, gut structure, gut microflora and feather pecking behaviour.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXptVWitro%3D&md5=c95147a7c3598d3c9fe453a275520ee9CAS | 17701499PubMed |
Svihus B (2012) Gastrointestinal tract development: implications for free-range and conventional production. In ‘Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Australian Poultry Science Symposium. Sydney, 19–22 February 2012’. pp. 7–13. (Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney: Sydney, NSW)
Walker A, Gordon S (2003) Intake of nutrients from pasture by poultry. The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 62, 253–256.
| Intake of nutrients from pasture by poultry.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 14506872PubMed |
Whay HR, Main DCJ, Green LE, Heaven G, Howell H, Morgan M, Pearson A, Webster AJF (2007) Assessment of the behaviour and welfare of laying hens on free-range units. The Veterinary Record 161, 119–128.
| Assessment of the behaviour and welfare of laying hens on free-range units.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2svktlGjtQ%3D%3D&md5=45c74587998b34044161b4fa2faa3475CAS | 17660465PubMed |
Wood GM (1956) Consumption of forage by chickens. Poultry Science 35, 1083–1089.
| Consumption of forage by chickens.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zeltner E, Hirt H (2003) Effect of artificial structuring on the use of laying hen runs in a free-range system. British Poultry Science 44, 533–537.
| Effect of artificial structuring on the use of laying hen runs in a free-range system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3srgvVSqsw%3D%3D&md5=ae97f1f5bb0c8c65d5fc76485634de2dCAS | 14584842PubMed |
Zeltner E, Hirt H (2008) Factors involved in the improvement of the use of hen runs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 114, 395–408.
| Factors involved in the improvement of the use of hen runs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
