Feeding trials on the Triesdorf farm chicken
As part of the Triesdorf Workshop Talks, the question today is whether the Triesdorf Landhuhn can also score with less demanding feed for Agriculture.
The dual-purpose breed Triesdorfer Landhuhn was bred at the Triesdorf Agricultural Education Institutes (LLA Triesdorf). Bayerischer Rundfunk had already reported on this in 2020(YouTube report). Prof Dr Klaus-Peter Wilbois conducted the interview with Prof Dr Jörg Rühle from the Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition department, who carried out fattening performance trials in collaboration with the LLA Triesdorf.
What characteristics make this chicken breed a potentially sustainable alternative to conventional fattening hybrids?
Dual-purpose chickens have come into focus as a way of avoiding chick culling, among other things. The Triesdorfer Landhuhn, which originated from the French Bressehuhn, Italians, Rhodelanders and other breeds, can be a particularly useful option for mobile barns and small-scale, extensive farming systems.
To what extent do the feed requirements of this slow-growing breed differ from those of modern high-yielding broilers?
Such dual-purpose breeds appear to have lower requirements for energy and nutrients such as essential amino acids compared to traditional fattening and laying hybrids. This is desirable, but needs to be scrutinised.
Do these animals react differently to the use of regional feed in terms of health or performance compared to broiler hybrids?
Various feeding trials have shown that the use of domestic (protein) feed can be sufficient under certain circumstances to satisfactorily utilise the genetically determined fattening and slaughter performance.
How do you assess the environmental impact of switching from high-performance breeds to those with slower growth and less demanding feed requirements?
Getting by with a less demanding protein supply should be emphasised positively, as protein feedstuffs such as soya products from overseas are considered problematic. However, at 70 days, the fattening period in our trial is almost twice as long as that of a classic fattening hybrid.
Do you also see potential for dual utilisation for meat and egg production, particularly in the context of organic farming?
Further investigations must clarify whether this chicken breed is comparable to the classic fattening and laying hybrids under organic feeding and husbandry conditions.
What challenges do you currently see in the practical implementation of such alternatives?
A longer fattening period makes meat production more expensive. Only if there is a willingness to pay an appropriately higher price for the meat will it be economically viable to keep Triesdorf country chickens.
How do you rate acceptance on the consumer side and what role does transparency regarding farming methods, breed and origin play in this?
This acceptance usually stands and falls with price and appreciation as well as the enjoyment value of the product. If the meat quality is equivalent or superior, the Triesdorf country chicken can serve a specific market segment. A positive environmental impact, such as a lower carbon footprint or higher protein efficiency, can also attract and retain a certain group of buyers in the long term.
What is the aim of the feeding trial?
The aim is to test whether reducing the crude protein content in the feed by two per cent while keeping the energy content the same enables the same fattening and slaughter performance. If this reduction can be achieved without any loss of performance, it would make a significant contribution to conserving resources in the production of high-quality animal protein.
What generally characterises the animal protein from broilers?
Compared to many vegetable protein sources, this animal protein contains a considerable amount of vital, essential amino acids. It also has a high digestibility and biological value. Even small amounts in the daily diet can make an important contribution to meeting amino acid requirements.
