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Dual-purpose chickens in organic farming - breeding and potential identification of suitable origins and implementation in practice. Stuttgart (Öko2Huhn)

Project


Project code: 2819OE061
Contract period: 20.02.2020 - 31.12.2023
Budget: 268,973 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: animal breeding, meat, eggs, animal genetic resources, animal welfare, husbandry techniques, organic farming, poultry

The overall objective of the project is to further develop the dual-use approach of chickens in organic farming. The problems of one-sided conventional basic breeding remain. In order to do the best possible justice to the various producer structures and demands of the industry, approaches in the field of organic crossbreeding and breeding of pedigree chickens are to be pursued in this project. Always in focus: a possible dual use. Livestock breeding in organic farming is still under development. To this day, most organic farms use laying hens and poultry for fattening, which are adapted for conventional farming and not specifically (as required by the EU Organic Regulation) to organic farming. Different husbandry environments in both systems place different demands on the chicken. The result is that conventionally bred chickens are less able to cope on organic farms. For this reason, independent organic breeding with adapted selection characteristics is necessary. A practical selection environment (breeding without individual animal cages, 100% organic feeding of the breeding animals) plays a decisive role. On this basis, robust animals suitable for both production directions (eggs and meat) can be selected and made accessible to practice through continuous breeding work.

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Subjects

  • Animal breeding
  • Agricultural Technology Animal Production
  • Animal health
  • Special animal species
  • Genetic Resources
  • Organic Farming
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