?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rft.title=Pilot+studies+in+organic+broiler+production+%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%93+management+and+cross-breeds&rft.creator=Bassler%2C+Arnd&rft.creator=Ciszuk%2C+Paul&rft.subject=+Health+and+welfare&rft.subject=+Poultry&rft.subject=+Feeding+and+growth&rft.subject=+Breeding+and+genetics&rft.description=Two+pilot+studies+were+conducted+in+1999+and+2000%2C+dealing+with+management+strategies+(study+A)+and+alternative+cross+breeds+(study+B)+in+organic+broiler+production.%0D%0A%0D%0AStudy+A%3A+Pastured+broilers%0D%0A280+male+chickens+were+raised+in+four+groups+in+movable+pens+on+pasture.+The+pens+(3.30+(width)+x+4.00+(length)+x+0.60+(hight)+m)+were+moved+to+fresh+ground+daily.+Three+groups+were+conventional+broiler-strain+chickens+(%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%9CRoss208%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%9D)+with+50%2C+70+and+90+birds+per+group%2C+and+one+group+was+a+Swedish+heavy+layer+cross+breed+(%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%9CDerco%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%9D)+with+70+birds.+The+birds+had+ad+libitum+(free)+access+to+a+proprietary+concentrate+(11.8+MJ+ME%2Fkg%2C+19+%25+crude+protein)+all+the+time+and+were+offered+whole+wheat%2C+free+choice%2C+from+day+42+onwards.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe+production+performance+of+the+Ross+chickens+showed+that+high+performance+is+possible+in+the+movable+pen+system.+With+the+feed+given%2C+the+modern+hybrid+used+in+the+experiment+grew+too+fast+to+be+recommended+for+a+12+weeks+growth+period%3A+The+birds+became+rather+large+and+showed+typical+health+problems+related+with+rapid+growth.+Between+50+and+90+birds+per+pen+(corresponding+max.+16+to+26+kg+liveweight+per+squaremetre)%2C+stocking+rate+did+not+seem+to+influence+the+birds'performance.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe+production+performance+of+the+Derco+chickens+did+not+reach+the+standards+for+slow+growing+table+birds%2C+as+they+are+set+by+French+hybrids+today.+The+actual+moving+of+the+pens+requires+simple+but+adjusted+mechanical+aid+and+routine+to+keep+the+physical+work+input+acceptable.+Direct+measurement+of+the+broilers%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%99+effect+on+the+sward+would+require+relatively+more+detailed+investigation.+Monitoring+of+long-term+effects+would+require+long+term+experiments.%0D%0A%0D%0AStudy+B%3A+Screening+crosses%0D%0ADerco+hens+were+crossed+with+Faverolle%2C+Orpington%2C+Modern+Game+and+Indian+Game+cocks%2C+and+four+batches+with+a+total+of+ca.+130+birds+were+raised+to+ages+between+12+and+15+weeks.+At+slaughter+day%2C+live+and+carcass+weight+were+recorded+and+for+three+batches%2C+the+carcasses+were+judged%2C+giving+scores+for+the+ocular+impression+of+the+quantity+of+meat+on+breast+and+legs+and+feather+residues+after+plucking.%0D%0A%0D%0AIt+is+concluded+that+crosses+between+Derco+hens+and+cocks+from+breeds+like+Modern+Game%2C+Faverolle+and+Orpington+does+not+produce+considerably+more+meat+than+pure+Derco+chickens.+Crosses+with+Indian+Game+cocks+gave+the+impression+of+higher+meat+yields+and+a+preferable+configuration+of+muscles%2C+but+the+fertilization+rate+between+Indian+Game+cocks+and+Derco+hens+was+relatively+low.&rft.date=2002-05&rft.type=Report&rft.type=NonPeerReviewed&rft.format=application%2Fpdf&rft.identifier=http%3A%2F%2Forgprints.org%2F2834%2F1%2Fekolantbruk34.pdf&rft.identifier=Bassler%2C+Arnd+and+Ciszuk%2C+Paul+(2002)+Pilot+studies+in+organic+broiler+production+%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%93+management+and+cross-breeds.+Ekologiskt+lantbruk%2C+34.&rft.relation=http%3A%2F%2Forgprints.org%2F2834%2F