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Re-Circulation of free-range husbandry of laying hens: substrates and additives in close vicinity (KLUFT)
Project
Project code: 2819OE050, 13/18/31
Contract period: 01.10.2019
- 31.03.2022
Budget: 304,955 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: circulation, free-range husbandry, laying hens, substrate, additives, nitrate erosion
The KLUFT project is related to the BÖLN Announcement No. 13/18/31 with the subject area “Animal Husbandry / Animal Welfare”. The project’s overall aim is to minimize the environmental burden which emerges from the high nutrient load occurring in free-range laying hen husbandry systems. The focus is on the identification of substrates and additives which may have the ability to absorb the nutrients in the highly frequented area at the outlet of the animal housing. Furthermore, a suitable substrate may offer the possibility of an internal utilization of the occurring nutrients and thus a contribution to closed nutrient cycles. In an exact experiment under ceteris paribus differently conditioned substrates will be analyzed for their ability and capacity of absorbing nutrients and thus reduce the nutrient export into the environment. This model experiment on 120 different plots will be held in two consecutively leaching periods on natural grown soil. To offer an evaluation of the substrates’ sorption capacity, Nmin soil analysis and nutrient balances of nitrogen and phosphorus will be conducted. Based on the achieved results, a method for an application of appropriate substrates will be designed. A further step is to design an economical calculation for different scenarios of the internal utilization of the nutrients. Another aim is the identification of unknown challenges and requirements when applying the substrates under real conditions in the outlet area of laying hen housing systems. Therefore, one organic laying hen farm is included in the observation. Furthermore, the important aspects of animal welfare and free expression of animal behavior regarding the acceptance of the substrate and the free-range area need to be considered. Results and derived recommended actions will be processed and systematically passed over to guidance and practitioner. Therefore, different workshops, presentations and publications are planned.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal Husbandry
- Organic Farming
Framework programme
Federal Organic Farming Scheme and other forms of sustainable agriculture (BÖLN)
