Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Soil Organic Matter and Nutrient Levels in Outdoor Runs in Organic Laying Farms

Version 1 : Received: 28 November 2022 / Approved: 1 December 2022 / Online: 1 December 2022 (16:11:03 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Zoli, M.; Mantovi, P.; Ferrari, P.; Ferrari, L.; Ferrante, V. Soil Organic Matter and Nutrient Levels in Outdoor Runs in Organic Laying Farms. Animals 2023, 13, 401. Zoli, M.; Mantovi, P.; Ferrari, P.; Ferrari, L.; Ferrante, V. Soil Organic Matter and Nutrient Levels in Outdoor Runs in Organic Laying Farms. Animals 2023, 13, 401.

Abstract

To evaluate the nutrient load due to the grazing of laying hens in outdoor runs, soil characteristics were monitored in three Italian organic farms. For each farm, soil samples were taken from three increasing distances from the hen house and two depths and different chemical parameters were evaluated. The comparison among the results from the different distances shows that N-NO3 and Olsen P are the most affected parameters by hen faeces: both present high values with a statistically significant difference in the area close to the poultry house and for the most superficial layer. Even TKN and TOC show significant differences between the concentrations of the first layer (more concentrated) and those of the second layer (less concentrated). In general, the surface soil layer closest to the chicken house is the portion of the outdoor run most affected by chicken droppings and represents the most critical point in terms of potential environmental impact. Therefore, it is necessary to intensify the management of the outdoor run with tools that can facilitate the grazing of animals and with vegetation that can absorb nutrients by limiting leaching and run-off.

Keywords

free-range system; hen runs; nitrogen; phosphorus; organic matter.

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Agricultural Science and Agronomy

Comments (0)

We encourage comments and feedback from a broad range of readers. See criteria for comments and our Diversity statement.

Leave a public comment
Send a private comment to the author(s)
* All users must log in before leaving a comment
Views 0
Downloads 0
Comments 0
Metrics 0


×
Alerts
Notify me about updates to this article or when a peer-reviewed version is published.
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here.