Dr. Frederick N. Bebe, Assistant Research Professor
What is Pastured Poultry?
Raising chickens, turkeys, ducks etc. in open bottom pens placed directly on pasture
Pens moved to a fresh area of the pasture daily
A beneficial approach for producing chickens: Pastures can provide vegetation, insects, and worms to give sufficient nutrients to replace at least 10% of prepared diets, while manure (feces) provides nutrients for grass/forage and/or food crops
Sustainable; integrates well with other farm enterprises
Can start small and gradually grow with low capital investment
Strong demand for farm fresh products; potential for extra income
Pasture-raised products are generally sold at premium prices
Consumers perceive pasture-based products to be naturally produced in a healthy environment (Bartlett, 2011)
Brolier chickens in pens on pasture at KSU's Research & Demonstration Farm
Perception is that these products are healthier, tastier, and higher in important nutrients, and support the environment and the welfare of the birds
Consumers willing to pay higher prices because they believe that the meat is of better nutritional quality
According to Fanatico et al. (2002), pasture-raised poultry meat has 21% less total fat, 30% less saturated fat, 28% fewer calories, and higher levels of n-3 fatty acids and vitamin A.
One person can operate the business
Attract poultry customers to other farm products like vegetables, fruits, etc.
Poultry raised on pasture are processed on-farm and direct marketed, thereby creating supplemental income on small-diversified family farms
Kentucky Poultry Industry Facts (2014) - $1.2billion
oultry and Eggs are the #1 agricultural & food commodity in Kentucky