Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The objectives of this project were to compare method of housing on productivity of poultry and rabbits; to compare the effects of method of housing on egg and meat quality including fatty acid profiles and consumer acceptance; and to provide a clearinghouse and connection among pastured poultry producers in Louisiana. There were no effects of the method of housing broilers (deep litter or pastured) on rate of gain, fed efficiency, mortality, carcass weight or cold carcass weight. Pastured birds had darker skin, and darker pectoralis major, biceps femoris and ileotibialis muscles than birds reared on deep litter. The only effects on fatty acids were increases in docosahexanoic and nisinic acids in breast meat and a decrease in linoleic acid in thigh meat. Consumer preference trials suggested that the leg and thigh meat from deep litter reared birds was more likely to be less juicy, less tender, and have a lower overall acceptability than meat from the leg and thigh of pastured birds. Pastured layers produced fewer eggs that have yolks that were more red than birds in cages or on deep litter. Caged birds however laid eggs that were lighter in color than eggs from pastured or deep litter birds. There were no effects of housing system on specific gravity or shell thickness. There were no effects on the proximate analysis values nor the fatty acid content except for a higher linolenic acid content in eggs from caged birds. A consumer panel was unable to detect any differences in flavor, tenderness, juiciness or overall acceptability of eggs from the three treatments. A single trial using pastured rabbits was carried out. The live and carcass weights of the rabbits reared in traditional cages were higher than those of rabbits reared in outdoor pens. Mortality was high in the outdoor units. There were no differences among the L*, b* and a* values for the biceps femoris, external oblique and trapezius muscles. Because of breeding and health problems, the rabbit portion of this project had to be discontinued after this trial. An informal clearinghouse for pastured poultry information has been established. Several new producers have been recruited and they rely heavily on telephone and e-mail contact with each other and with Southern University for help and information. Presentations about pastured poultry production have been made to several groups. Several farms have been visited. Funding has been provided for establishment of a pastured poultry demonstration unit at a homeless shelter in a nearby community. PARTICIPANTS: Farmers, general public, agricultural professionals, students The project is multi-disciplinary involving researchers and extension agents in horticulture, soil science, food safety, and nutrition and health. There is also collaboration with local, group, community and interested organizations. Undergraduate students especially those majoring in the areas of food and agricultural sciences, and Louisiana producers were also involved. TARGET AUDIENCES: Small, limited resource farmers Small, limited resource farmers and also socially and economically disadvantaged citizens. Food service and retailers were also targeted to ensure adequate knowledge and health benefits of pastured poultry. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
As a result of this project, the food analysis laboratory was activated including installation and operation of equipment and development of methods. Three students were involved in various phases of the project and gained laboratory and research skills. One farmer has constructed a small processing plant that has received an exemption from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry so he can sell birds in local farmer's markets and Halal chickens for the Muslim community. The plant with equipment cost about $8000. He is now selling about 100 dressed birds each week at two farmers markets as well as from the farm. His current prince is $2.75 per pound. He has recouped his investment and is currently expanding his farming activities to include to sales of eggs ($3.00/dozen) and organic vegetables. Another farmer has obtained an exemption and is selling his products in the farmers markets. Several other farmers have tried pastured poultry production and have stopped because they didn't like it or have gone to producing birds only for themselves. As a result of our promotion, several farmers have continued with pastured poultry production and are garnering substantial income from the practice. Several new farmers have also been recruited. Two farmers have constructed small processing plants for home processing activities. One is producing Halal chicken for the Muslim community as well as selling poultry and poultry parts at two farmer's markets. On a less encouraging note, our inability to find significant effects of pasturing on the meat and eggs of pastured birds, will not, as we had hoped, provide them a scientific basis for claiming their product is "better" than conventionally reared products.
Publications
- McNitt, J.I., J. Gager, F. Malekian, A. Bond, H. Mellieon, Jr., L. Parker, and K. W. McMillin. 2006. Pasture finishing of rabbits using the Morant-style hutch. Presented at the 3rd Rabbit Congress of the Americas held in Maringa, Brazil August 21-23, 2006 and published on the CD containing the Proceedings of the Congress.
- McNitt, J.I. and Parker, L. 2006. What is Pastured Poultry SUAREC Publication 196-00. 4 pp.
- McNitt, J.I. and Parker, L. 2006. Brooding Broiler Chicks for Pasture. SUAREC Publication 196-01. 4 pp.
- McNitt, J.I. and Parker, L. 2006. Rearing Broilers on Pasture. SUAREC Publication 196-02. 4 pp.
- McNitt, J.I. and Parker, L. 2006. Marketing Pastured Poultry Products. SUAREC Publication 196-03. 4 pp. McNitt, J.I. 2005. Home Harvesting of Broilers. SUAREC Publication 153. 4 pp.
|
Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Proximate analysis has also been carried out on egg samples (yolk and white) from the three housing treatments. Analysis of these data is ongoing. The consumer acceptance trials with the broiler meat were concluded in December 2005 and analysis of the data has been completed. The techniques for using the GS/MS for fatty acid determination have been established and evaluation of the fatty acid content of the samples has been carried out. A new laboratory assistant has been hired and these data are being analyzed. Presentations about pastured poultry production have been made to several groups including producer groups. Several farms have been visited. The following research-based extension education publications are being disseminated to producers and potential producers on an ongoing basis: McNitt, J. I. and Parker, L. 2006. What is Pastured Poultry SUAREC Publication 196-00. 4 pp. McNitt, J. I. and Parker, L. 2006. Brooding Broiler Chicks for Pasture. SUAREC Publication 196-01. 4 pp. McNitt, J. I. and Parker, L. 2006. Rearing Broilers on Pasture. SUAREC Publication 196-02. 4 pp. McNitt, J. I. and Parker, L. 2006. Marketing Pastured Poultry Products. SUAREC Publication 196-03. 4 pp. PARTICIPANTS: The project is multi-disciplinary involving researchers and extension agents in horticulture, soil science, food safety, and nutrition and health. There is also collaboration with local, group, community and interested organizations. Undergraduate students especially those majoring in the areas of food and agricultural sciences, and Louisiana producers were also involved. TARGET AUDIENCES: Small, limited resource farmers and also socially and economically disadvantaged citizens. Food service and retailers were also targeted to ensure adequate knowledge and health benefits of pastured poultry. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Several farmers have continued with pastured poultry production and are garnering substantial income from the practice. Several new farmers have also been recruited. One farmer has constructed a small processing plant for his home processing activities and has received an exemption and is producing Halal chicken for the Muslim community as well as selling poutry and poultry parts at two farmer's markets. Through the help of this project, funding has been provided for establishment of a pastured poultry demonstration unit at a homeless shelter in a nearby community. The plant with equipment cost about $8000. He is now selling about 100 dressed birds each week at two farmers markets as well as from the farm. His current price is $2.75 per pound. He has recouped his investment and is currently expanding his farming activities to include to sales of eggs ($3.00/dozen) and organic vegetables. Another farmer has been striving to obtain a clear statement of the regulations for an exemption so he can begin selling his products in the farmers markets. We finally have obtained the clarity needed so he can build his facility and get the needed exemption.
Publications
- McNitt, J.I. 2007. Uj korszak a nyultenyesztesben (English: What is our future) Evoflyam, 2007 No. 4, pp 69-72
|
Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The objectives of this project were to compare method of housing on productivity of poultry and rabbits; to compare method of housing on egg and meat quality including fatty acid profiles and consumer acceptance; and to provide a clearinghouse and connection among pastured poultry producers in Louisiana. The year-long egg portion of the project was completed May 18, 2007 and a second broiler trial was immediately started. Those birds were processed July 25, 2007. All the samples from the first broiler trial and the egg trial have been subjected to proximate analysis and consumer acceptance trials have been carried out. Samples from the second broiler trial await proximate analysis and consumer evaluation. Fatty acid analyses of the samples have not been possible because of the equipment not functioning properly. All completed data including production and color results from the first broiler trial and the egg trial have been statistically analysed and rough drafts of
research reports have been prepared. A pastured rabbit trial was conducted that indicated needed refinement of our methods. Unfortunately, breeding problems with the rabbits have continued so no further trials have been carried out.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences were small producers, limited resource producers, socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, the underrepresented, the underserved, women, and minorities. Others: youth 13 - 18 years, policy makers, community leaders/stakeholders, interested agencies and organizations.
Impacts
There are several producers who are interested in starting or expanding pastured poultry production but are awaiting clarification of the regulations required to obtain exempt status. All participants in the training session said they found the training sessions useful and that the sessions increased their knowledge of pastured poultry production. One farmer has constructed a small processing plant that has received an exemption from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry so he can sell birds in local farmer's markets and Halal chickens for the Muslim community. The plant with equipment costs about $8,000. He is now selling about 50 dressed birds each week at two farmers' markets as well as from the farm. His current price is $2.70 per pound. He expects he will have recouped his investment by the end of 2007. Another farmer has been striving to obtain a clear statement of the regulations for an exemption so he can begin selling his products in the farmers
markets. We finally have obtained the clarity needed so he can build his facility and get the needed exemption.
Publications
- Gonzalez-Marsical, G., J. I. McNitt and S. D. Lukefahr. 2007. Maternal care of rabbits in the lab and on the farm: Endocrine regulation of behavior and productivity. Hormones and Behavior, 52:86-91.
- James I. McNitt. 2007. What is our future? Proceedings of the 19th Hungarian Conference on Rabbit Production, Kaposvar, Hungary May 23, 2007, pp. 5-15
- McNitt, J.I. 2007. Why is a Rabbit not a Chicken? Domestic Rabbits, 35(3):28-29.
- McNitt, J.I. 2007. Rabbit Production in Hungary. PRMA Journal, 8(4):1, 4, 5.
- McNitt, J. I. 2006. Policies and strategies for the development of rabbit production in American countries United States. Presented at the 3rd Rabbit Congress of the Americas held in Maringa, Brazil August 21-23, 2006 and published on the CD containing the Proceedings of the Congress.
|
Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
The objectives of this project are to compare methods of housing on productivity of poultry and rabbits; to compare the method of housing on egg and meat quality including fatty acid profiles and consumer acceptance; and to provide a clearinghouse and connection among pastured poultry producers in Louisiana. The laboratory assistant employed to carry out the chemical analyses recently resigned thus slowing our progress with the analyses and necessitating employment of a new assistant. This has been done. The remaining 30 chicken samples from trial number 1 were de-boned, homogenized and stored in a freezer for further analysis. Dark leg meat and white breast meat were analyzed separately. Proximate analysis (fat, ash, protein and moisture) was performed on the homogenized samples. Proximate analysis has also been carried out on egg samples (yolk and white) from the three housing treatments. Analysis of these data is ongoing. The consumer acceptance trials with the
broiler meat were concluded in December 2005 and analysis of the data is ongoing. Presentations about pastured poultry production were made to two farmer groups and to the Louisiana Gulf Coast Institute of Food Technology. Several farms have been visited and one of our technical staff and a pastured poultry producer attended a conference on pastured poultry in Mississippi to make a presentation. A pastured rabbit trial was conducted that indicated needed refinement of our methods. Unfortunately, breeding problems that arose last year have continued, so no further trials have been carried out.
Impacts
Three new producers have started rearing pastured poultry. They were all successful with their first batches in that they successfully produced and processed the birds and used them for home consumption and sold enough to make a profit. All three intend to continue production but have been slowed because of hurricanes Katrina and Rita which negatively impacted all of our producers.
Publications
- McNitt, J.I., J. Gager, F. Malekian, A. Bond, H. Mellieon, Jr., L. Parker, and K. W. McMillin. 2006. Pasture finishing of rabbits using the Morant-style hutch. Presented at the 3rd Rabbit Congress of the Americas held in Maringa, Brazil August 21-23, 2006 and published on the CD containing the Proceedings of the Congress.
- McNitt, J. I. and Parker, L. 2006. What is Pastured Poultry? SUAREC Publication 196-00. 4 pp.
- McNitt, J. I. and Parker, L. 2006. Brooding Broiler Chicks for Pasture. SUAREC Publication 196-01.4 pp.
- McNitt, J. I. and Parker, L. 2006. Rearing Broilers on Pasture. SUAREC Publication 196-02.4 pp.
- McNitt, J. I. and Parker, L. 2006. Marketing Pastured Poultry Products. SUAREC Publication 196-03.4 pp.
- Negatu, Z., J. I. McNitt and K. McMillin. 2006. Determination of small bone fragments in mechanically separated rabbit meat. J. Muscle Foods, 17:185-197. Forrester-Anderson, I.T, J. McNitt, R. Way and M. Way. 2006. Fatty acid content of pasture-reared fryer rabbit meat. J. Food Comp. and Anal. 19:715-719.
- McNitt, J. I. 2006. Policies and strategies for the development of rabbit production in American countries, United States. Presented at the 3rd Rabbit Congress of the Americas held in Maringa, Brazil August 21-23, 2006 and published on the CD containing the Proceedings of the Congress.
- McNitMcNitt, J. I. and J. Swanson. 2005. Animal welfare issues for commercial rabbit producers. In: Information Resources on the Care and Welfare of Rabbits AWIC Resources Series, No. 31, pp. xvii-xxx.
|
Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
The objectives of this project are to compare method of housing on productivity of poultry and rabbits; to compare method of housing on egg and meat quality including fatty acid profiles and consumer acceptance; and to provide a clearinghouse and connection among pastured poultry producers in Louisiana. During this start-up period, two additional outdoor day range houses were constructed. The first broiler trial was conducted and the carcasses were frozen for future chemical and sensory analysis. A laboratory assistant has been employed for the chemical analyses which are ongoing. Similarly, consumer acceptance trials comparing the meat from pastured and pen housed birds are continuing and will be completed in December 2005. A pastured rabbit trial was conducted that indicated needed refinement of our methods. Breeding problems in the herd have prevented further trials but these will be carried out as soon as fryers are available. We identified 12 farmers who were
producing pastured poultry in Louisiana. We held two general training sessions and two on-farm processing training sessions during the year. Four informational letters were sent to the producers and a publication entitled Home Harvesting of Broilers was prepared for distribution to producers.
Impacts
Three new producers have started rearing pastured poultry. They were all successful with their first batches in that they successfully produced the birds and used them for home consumption and sold enough to make a profit. All three intend to continue production but have been slowed because of hurricanes Katrina and Rita which negatively impacted all of them.
Publications
- McNitt, J.I. 2005. Home Harvesting of Broilers. Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center Office of Technology Pub. 153. 4 pp.
|
|