Free range poultry sounds simple - and it can be, given the right skills and reasonable expectations. This book has been written to provide easily consumed technical information and real-life examples from growers who range from large scale production to mixed farming of meat and egg production to help you get started in free range poultry.
Topics covered include:
- Sourcing stock
- Pastures for poultry
- Health management
- Biosecurity
- Regulations
Plus 9 case studies
AgGuides are compiled by highly regarded industry experts to provide easy to follow advice on agriculture and support the Tocal College external study program for agriculture.
The Author
David Brouwer lectured in Agronomy at Tocal College for 15 years before developing a course in Conservation and Land Management for external students. He has run external diploma studies in agriculture and land management for almost 20 years. He has authored and co-authored over 50 books for students as well as running courses in property planning for farmers.
Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: The market for free range production
Chapter 2: Pitfalls for new entrants
Chapter 3: An introduction to production systems and standards for free range eggs
Chapter 4: An introduction to production systems and standards for meat birds
Chapter 5: Choosing a breed
Chapter 6: Sourcing stock
Chapter 7: Managing the flock
Chapter 8: Feeding and nutrition
Chapter 9: Housing for free range poultry
Chapter 10: Protecting the flock from predators
Chapter 11: Pastures for poultry
Chapter 12: Free range health management
Chapter 13: Biosecurity for free range production
Chapter 14: Regulations: state and local government
Chapter 15: A business plan for free range poultry
Chapter 16: EggInvest: an aid to planning and budgeting
Appendix 1: An example of free range standards–eggs
Appendix 2: Free range eggs. Standards compared
Appendix 3: Chicken suppliers
References
Case study 1: Alan and Shelley Green – eggs
Case study 2: Burrawong Poultry – meat birds
Case study 3: Mill Road Organic Farm – eggs
Case study 4: Mark Killen – eggs
Case study 5: Ray Marshall – meat and eggs
Case study 6: Rodney Pope – eggs
Case study 7: Roy and Ivy Inwood – eggs
Case Study 8: Milawa Free Range Poultry – meat birds
Case study 9: Tony Coote – eggs
