EU Regulation 1804/1999 for organic livestock specifically states that in the choice of breeds or strains for organic systems must account must be taken of the capacity of animals to adapt to local conditions, their vitality, and their resistance to disease. In addition, breeds or strains of animals should be selected to avoid specific disease or health problems associated with some breeds of strains used in intensive production. Preference should be given to indigenous breeds or strains.
Details of some of the specific disease tolerance/resistance characteristics of particular breeds are included in the appropriate disease sub-sections of this compendium.
Layers
Laying breeds that are suitable for free-range conditions, such as ISA Brown, Hyline and the more traditional breeds such as the Light Sussex and Rhode Island Red, are suitable for organic egg systems. Other breeds popular in some organic systems are Black Rocks and Hebden Blacks. A newer breed, Bovan Goldline has a reputation of being docile and a non-feather-pecker.
Table birds
The breed of table bird suitable for organic systems of production are limited by the organic standards that require a minimum slaugther age of 81 days. Although faster growing breeds used in more intensive systems, such as the Ross/Cobb, are used by some organic producers, there is a risk that they may reach an unmarketable weight and may become so heavy that they could suffer musculo-skeletal problems. Although slower growing breeds are best suited to organic systems, there may be problems with availability and cost of these as day old chicks.
Examples of suitable slower growing breeds include: Sasso, Poulet Bronze, Poulet Grey, Sherwood Gold, Hubbard ISA 657, 257 and PAC57.
A MAFF-funded study is currently being conducted at ADAS Gleadthorpe which aims to characterise bird performance, hardiness, behaviour and meat quality in a large number of hybrids and pure lines of poultry maintained under free-range and organic conditions. For further information on this work contact Sue.Gordon@adas.co.uk.