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Silage feeding for laying hens (OK-Net Ecofeed Practice Abstract)

{Tool} Silage feeding for laying hens (OK-Net Ecofeed Practice Abstract). Creator(s): Steenfeldt, S.. Issuing Organisation(s): AU - Aarhus University. OK-Net EcoFeed practice abstract. (2019)

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Document available online at: https://orgprints.org/35470/


Summary

High-quality silage can provide nutrients for the hen and encourage natural foraging behaviour, thus reducing the risk for feather pecking. Growing protein-rich silage helps increase self-sufficiency and improve the crop rotation of the organic poultry farms.
Practical recommendation
• Choose the silage type(s) that provides the best yield and quality, depending on soil type and weather conditions.
• The silage has to be finely chopped.
• Silage generally has to be preserved under proper conditions to optimize the fermentation process.
• Analyse the protein content of the silage and other nutrients if possible.
• Avoid silage with anti-nutritional factors.
• Investing in an automatic feeding system (robot) is recommended for larger flocks to distribute the silage evenly and encourage the hens to eat it.
• Including the chemical content of the silage in the feed formulation could be an advantage, when feeding higher amounts per hen per day (>20 g per day).


EPrint Type:Practice tool
What problem does the tool address?:Feeding silage to organic laying hens is practised on a daily basis by many egg producers. Since hens can eat large amounts of silage, it is important to use high-quality silage.
What solution does the tool offer?:Different types of silage can be used. However, e.g. grass, clover grass, alfalfa, hemp, horse beans, lupines and sunflower silage often have a higher protein content than e.g. barley/pea or maize silage (whole plant or the cobs only). A chemical analysis of the harvested silage is important in order to estimate the quality.
Country:Denmark
Type of Practice Tool:Practice abstracts
Keywords:animal husbandry, feeding, rations, layer chickens
Agrovoc keywords:
Language
Value
URI
English
layer chickens
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_12109
English
feeding
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_2838
English
rations
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_6461
English
animal husbandry
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_8532
Subjects: Animal husbandry > Feeding and growth
Animal husbandry > Production systems > Poultry
Research affiliation: European Union > Horizon 2020 > OK-Net EcoFeed
European Union > Horizon 2020 > OK-Net EcoFeed > OK-Net Ecofeed Tools
Denmark > AU - Aarhus University > Faculty of Science and Technology > Department of Animal Science
International Organizations > International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements IFOAM > IFOAM Organics Europe
Horizon Europe or H2020 Grant Agreement Number:773911
Related Links:https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/35470, https://www.facebook.com/organicfarmknowledge/photos/a.341364110046066/536536380528837, https://twitter.com/farm_knowledge/status/1194975581760344067
Project ID:ofk
Deposited By: Willer, Dr. Helga
ID Code:35470
Deposited On:12 Nov 2019 10:17
Last Modified:27 Sep 2023 09:50
Document Language:English
Status:Published

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