1. Growth of Industry 1997-2001 – surge of certified organic poultry production Certified organic layers 537,826 (1997) to 1.6 mil (2001) ORGANIC POULTRY PRODUCTION Ken W. Koelkebeck University of Illinois

2. Certified organic broilers 1997-38,285  3.3 mil (2001) Certified organic turkeys 1997-750  98,000 (2001)

3. 2002 – USDA National Organic Program www.ams.usda.gov/nop/indexIE.htm National standards dictate how broilers, turkeys, layers and others are to be managed and raised

4. Standards – poultry not required to have access to pasture, but must be given freedom to: 1) exercise 2) access to fresh air 3) exposure to direct sunlight Birds can be “housed” if weather is bad - exception

5. Organic producer will pasture the birds and/or house in semi-confinement and temporary confinement Producers must create “Organic System Plan” if seek certification 1.Comply with national rules 2.Describe how to manage flock, house, feed, waste, handling, health, welfare, and maintain records

6. Resource – National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) Organic Livestock Workbook -A Guide to Sustainable and Allowed Practices From:Agricultural Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) PO Box 3657 Fayetteville, AR 72702 (800) 346-9140 www.attra.ncat.org www.attra.ncat.org/attra- pub/PDF/livestockworkbook.pdf

7. HUSBANDRY AND MANAGEMENT Birds: Day-old chicks, all species and breeds Land: Outdoor access (land must be organic)

8. HUSBANDRY AND MANAGEMENT Housing: Semi-confinement or pasture Density: Allow for natural behavior Equipment: electric fence, poultry netting, feed troughs, water fountains

9. Labor: Keep accurate records Operation: Year-round Advantages: Premium prices for products, environmentally friendly, endorsed by animal rights groups Disadvantages: Record keeping, regulated management practices, higher feed costs

10. BIRDS Purchase day-old chicks from conventional stock Breed and hatch own Purchase started pullets, but must come from certified organic breeders

11. BIRDS Breed selection is vital to success Nat. Organic Standards prohibit use of conventional medicines/treatments – so get a breed that is hardy

13. RAISING BIRDS ON PASTURE Standards – “living conditions which accommodate health and natural behavior of animals” Pasturing is compliant, but not required Outdoor access with minimum plant cover are compliant Outdoor cement yards are not compliant Many producers keep birds on pasture for 6 months

14. If birds on pasture, have to follow the National Organic Standards for pasture seeding Use organic seed where available and approved practices to control weeds Organic buyers of birds or eggs may have own guidelines

15. EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES Checklist FeedersArtificial lights Waterers Electric fence LitterApproved cleaners Nest boxesOrganic certified seed-on pasture Source: Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) – www.omri.org Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (715) 772-3153 www.mosesorganic.org

17. HOUSING Certain living conditions ExerciseProvide forEscape bad weathernatural behaviors Provide fresh air Move birds without injury Semi-confinement shelters Equipped with access doors so birds can move freely between inside and outside Some buyers may dictate stocking density - standards do not stipulate

27. If build a large or long house for your birds, you should have many access doors – the number of doors not stipulated in standards Should check with your local certifier

28. HOUSING FOR LAYERS Lighting – standards do not include guidelines for artificial lighting or access to natural light and dark cycles If use artificial lighting to induce molting should check with local certifier if allowed It is of course important to provide artificial light in the fall and winter months to stimulate good egg production

29. Induced molting may be looked upon buyers of eggs as “inhumane”, so check with your local certified if you can molt a flock Use of cleaning products It is standard practice to clean and disinfect broiler, turkey, and layer houses in between flocks to prevent buildup of pathogens

30. Be sure to check the list of allowed and prohibited substances for cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing www.ams.usda.gov/NOP/NationalList/ListHome. html under “Processing Materials Decisions”

31. The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) screen products to use – www.omri.org