August 20, 2008

Organic chickens have higher energy requirements than conventional chickens but proteins required are about the same, according to a new report published by the Animal Sciences Group from Wageningen UR in the Netherlands.

The study looked at the physiological basis for possible differences in energy and protein requirements of organic versus conventional poultry.

The energy and protein requirements of poultry are determined by on the one hand the need of nutrients for maintenance, and on the other hand the need of nutrients for production.

The study suggests that energy requirement of organic housed poultry is higher compared to conventional housed poultry as a result of factors such as maintenance.