Organic poultry farming: opportunities and challenges

Many different poultry breeds are kept by smallholder farmers throughout the world, some of whom are organic or agroecological, although not certified organic in all cases. Many of these breeds are locally adapted, multi-purpose, and indigenous. At a global level, smallholder agroecological or organic poultry flocks contribute to food security, protein supply, and the livelihood of many families, especially women, in many smallholder settings. This chapter introduces organic poultry farming and focusses on ways in which its practices can be improved. The chapter examines poultry as part of ecological systems and cycles and considers how the precautionary principle and concepts of naturalness can be applied to this area. The chapter examines health and disease in organic poultry farming and considers animal welfare aspects, such as fairness and good quality of life. Finally, the chapter looks ahead to future research trends in this area.