Research Article

Characterization of table eggs-producing organic farms in Lublin Voivodeship

Elżbieta Bombik, Katarzyna Łagowska, Marcin Różewicz, Małgorzata Bednarczyk-Szurmak

Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Poland

1. Acta Sci. Pol. Zootechnica, 14(2), 2015, 55‒66

Abstract. The aim of this study was to analyze organic farms involved in the production of table eggs in the Lublin Voivodeship. The survey was performed by the use of a questionnaire in 5 farms located in the counties of Łęczna, Puławy, and Ryki. The analysis of the data shows the main reasons for undertaking organic poultry production included the low cost of purchase of animals, adaptability of buildings and chicken runs and marketability of the products (eggs and meat). The age of the owners of the surveyed farms ranged from 30 to 40 years (80% of respondents) and from 40 to 50 years (20% of respondents). The farms are run by men with families. 80% of respondents had secondary education, and 20% higher education with a specialization in agri-tourism. The average area of the farms was 14.2 ha. The crops were mainly grain, from 46.7 to 100%. There were farm-gate sales of vegetables, fruit and eggs. Some also offered milk and dairy products, as well as processed fruit and vegetables. All the farms focused on the production of chicken eggs, though. Greenleg Partridge was among breeds of chickens managed in all farms. New chicks for all the surveyed farms were purchased in a hatchery or from another organic farm. In most of the farms the flocks were at the level of 100 to 300 hens. Egg production ranged from 90 to 125 eggs per hens. Hens were fed in the traditional way, using organic, on-farm produced feeds. Birds had access to chicken runs. Hens were kept in brick chicken houses on litter bedding. All respondents answered that the marketing of the produce (eggs) is promoted through customer recommendations. They stressed that regular customers, who were from 70 to 90% of the buyers, often bring in new people willing to buy organic produce. All the organic farm operators replied that poultry production was profitable.

Keywords: organic farms, poultry, Greenleg Partridge, table eggs