Feed practices in Australian free-range egg production

Abstract

Free-range layers currently supply ~45% of the Australian egg market. The aim of this study was to investigate feed management practices of free-range layer farms in Australia. An on-line survey was created and promoted from May - Nov 2014. A total of 41 free-range egg producers completed the survey, representing ~10% of the overall Australian commercial egg producers. While 80% of farmers offer a complete diet, 12.5% of farmers conduct combined feeding, and 7.5% choice feeding. Additional feed supplements included shell grit (42.9%), limestone (40.0%), hay (28.6%), silage (8.6%), and others such as vegetables, pasture, insects, and harvested grass (37.1%). Feed was provided as mash (30.0%), pelleted feed (17.5%), whole grains (15.0%), coarse ground (25.0%), and/or fine ground feed (17.5%). Farmers obtained feed from milling facilities (72.5%), produced their own (22.5%), or combined both sources (5%). Hens were fed ad libitum in 77.5% cases. Feed was provided by (gravity refilling) troughs (55.3%), automatic feeder pans (28.9%), or automatic feeder chains (15.8%). Feeders were located in the barn (52.5%), on the range (32.5%), or on both locations (15.0%). With mobile sheds and/or paddock rotation 74.4% of farms had persistent vegetation on the range area and was never stripped bare. Seventy one percent of farmers reported that over 75% of their flock used the range area.