Poultry Your Way - Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems ...

MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES
PASTURE: DAY-RANGE
Feed and Water. Research suggests that birds on pasture consume 5 to 20 percent of their feed needs from
grasses, legumes, and insects (Mattocks, 2002). Experienced farmers like Joel Salatin and Ron Desens say forage
consumption may be even higher—around 30 percent of birds’ daily feed intake (see Farm Profile: Sleeping Cat
Organic Farm). Forage intake varies by species and breed. Geese, for example, can be productive on a diet of only
grass, water, and grit (Holderread, 1993). On the other hand, modern chicken broiler breeds like the Cornish Cross
do very little foraging unless they are enticed with high quality grasses and legumes (Mattocks, 2002).
Regardless of how much foraging your birds do, they will need high-protein feed and mineral supplements,
particularly during the growth stage for broilers and laying cycle for hens. Many farmers who practice pasturebased
management provide this supplemental feed on a restricted basis; that is, they withhold feed when birds are
likely to forage on their own. Birds on pasture tend to forage most often during the morning (when temperatures
are cool) and on overcast days (Chisholm, et al., 2003). By removing feed during these times, you can encourage
your birds to forage for more of their food.
Feed can be mixed on your own farm with supplements or purchased as a complete ration. Many day-range
growers feed simple or low-protein feeds instead of complete rations as a way to encourage more foraging and
to save on expenses. If the feed contains all or most of the dietary requirements, the chickens will depend on
the feed instead of the forage. In Pasture-Raised Poultry Nutrition, poultry nutritionist Jeff Mattocks provides
nutritional requirements and diet recommendations for chicken broilers and layers, turkey starters and finishers, as
well as meat ducks raised on pasture.
Temperature affects how much birds consume, creating
a management challenge for anyone using day-range
or other pasture-based management alternatives. Pay
careful attention to the changing water requirements
of your birds during hot weather and ensure that water
does not freeze for an extended period during fall and
winter. Jody Padgham, editor of the American Pastured
Poultry Producers Association’s GRIT newsletter,
reviewed four watering systems that are commonly
used on pasture (open pan, bell, nipple, cups) and are
appropriate for most species in the brooding, growing,
laying, and finishing stages (see Resources under
Housing).
Average water consumption needs, reported by the New England Poultry Management and Business Analysis
Manual, are summarized in Figure 27.
Equipment and Supplies. In addition to shelter, you’ll need some basic equipment and supplies. Your biggest
piece of equipment will be a skid steer loader or tractor. Day-range growers also use portable electric perimeter
fencing, poultry netting, feed trays or troughs, and waterers (see Figure 28).
Figure 28: Equipment Checklist – Day-Range Management
✔ Skid steer loader or tractor
✔ Housing supplies (hoops, roofing
material, plastic tarps, plywood,
chicken mesh/wire, roosting bars)
✔ Electric fencing
✔ Poultry netting
✔ Automatic or covered feeders
Figure 27: Water Consumption of Layers Based on
Environmental Temperature
TEMPERATURE ( o F)
20-40
41-60
61-80
81-100
GALLONS PER DAY
FOR 100 LAYERS
4.2-5.0
5.0-5.8
5.8-7.0
7.0-11.6
Source: Mercia, 2001.
✔ Hanging waterers or water buckets
and heaters (if necessary)
✔ Nesting boxes and liners (if used)
✔ Litter material
Poultry Your Way 69
MANAGEMENT
ALTERNATIVES