Welfare issues and potential solutions for laying hens in free range and organic production systems: A review based on literature and interviews
In free-range and organic production systems, hens can make choices according to their needs and desires, which is in accordance with welfare definitions. Nonetheless, health and behavioral problems are also encountered in these systems. The aim of this article was to identify welfare challenges observed in these production systems in the EU and the most […]
Dual-Purpose Poultry in Organic Egg Production and Effects on Egg Quality Parameters
Egg laying genotypes have been selected for generations due to their high yield and egg quality, resulting in efficient feed utilization and low body weight; hence, they are not suitable for meat production. This imposes an issue for the male layer chicks, which are killed at one day old. Because of ethical and food waste […]
Plants and planting designs for organic poultry ranges
There are some laying hen farms that look almost like a desert, containing very little biodiversity. The booklet suggests different methods and tools to improve the use of free-range areas on organic layer farms. The booklet focuses on designing free-range areas for laying hens in order to: – increase the farmer’s satisfaction in his/her work; […]
What are the challenges facing the table egg industry in the next decades and what can be done to address them?
The article is published in “Animal – The international journal of animal biosciences“. There has been a strong consumer demand to take welfare into account in animal production, including table eggs. This is particularly true in Europe and North America but increasingly around the world. We review the main demands that are facing the egg […]
Progetto RELACS: integrazione di vitamina B2 per il pollame biologico, nuovi valori
Il progetto RELACS ha messo a punto delle raccomandazioni per l’integrazione di vitamina B2 nei polli da carne biologici a crescita lenta e per le galline ovaiole nei sistemi avicoli biologici. Il problema è sostanzialmente la necessità della vitamina B2 (riboflavina) come supplemento nelle diete del pollame. Nel settore biologico, le fonti/i supplementi senza OGM […]
