Organic poultry production

Abstract

Organic livestock production in Malta is well under-developed compared to other EU countries. The main aim of this dissertation is to provide an assessment of the potential for organic poultry production on the Maltese islands, in particular, to identify technical and market constrains on the development of organic chicken production enterprises. The dissertation includes; • Definition of organic farming and implications for organic poultry production. • Description of organic poultry production systems and to define their physical parameters, with a particular emphasis on free-range systems and their respective input requirements and output potential. • Production standards and legislative context (according to EU regulations). This includes animal welfare, health and medication. • Ideal nutrition and housing for organic poultry production. • The market for organic meat, pricing and promotion. • A survey is carried out on a random sample of poultry farmers. The survey analyzes if the farmers are willing to change from a conventional system to an organic system. • A survey is carried out on a random sample of consumers. They are asked if they would prefer organic produced poultry products compared to conventional products.