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Animal health plans: improving animal health in organic farming for better processing and product quality: Practical implementation based on modelling of laying hen husbandry
Project
Project code: 2805OE013
Contract period: 01.12.2005
- 31.03.2008
Budget: 89,377 Euro
Purpose of research: Basic research
A study of the health situation of laying hens from 10 organic farms confirmed the findings of previous studies on the state of animal health in organic laying hen husbandry. Significant deficits in animal health related to a broad range of problems (above all feather pecking, infestation with mites or worms). But the situation among the different farms varies greatly. Seasonal influences also play a role. It is however apparent that a number of farms demonstrate good animal health over a long period of time. The project shows that animal health must be defined as a central management task and that solutions must be found by the actors, starting with the farm managers. Animal health plans with a participative approach are suited as an instrument to improve health on individual farms. A farm's situation depends, however, on management and many other factors, not necessarily connected with animal husbandry (overwork, information, financial possibilities, personal and business situations and priorities, and finally, unknown factors). Not all laying hen farms were ready to put more effort than a certain level for better animal health. Particularly the large farms had problems with participation and left the project before its conclusion. In the project it became clear that there are large differences in the subjective and objective consideration of animal health for farmers, consultants/veterinarians and scientists. Farmers mentioned that they first became aware of their problems through the animal health check. But solutions were seldom sought. More motivation for improvement could first be generated with proven economic significance ('Sick animals perform less'). In the case of laying hens, poor health is not necessarily connected to poorer economic performance ('Even hens without feathers lay eggs'). The animal health plans can not yet be evaluated because the time period was not adequate, neither could an optimisation based on new knowledge gained during the project be incorporated.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal health
Framework programme
Federal Organic Farming Scheme and other forms of sustainable agriculture (BÖLN)
