Poultry production can be a profitable enterprise for organic farmers and eggs are a popular product that can be sold through many outlets - locally and nationally. However, chickens have particular management requirements that may not be obvious to the inexperienced producer. If managed well, and in systems that promote their health, poultry will thrive in a free-range environment. However, in a poorly designed or managed system a host of problems can arise which are a health and welfare concern, making the enterprise unviable. Unlike other livestock, poultry breeding is largely the domain of poultry companies who breed commercial laying stock in systems that are housed and not free-range. Organic farmers are generally reliant on these companies for their stock and this may be considered to be at odds with the organic philosophy. Hence, there are particular issues that organic producers must consider and the regulations are changing to require organic breeding. This will clearly have a practical and financial impact on organic egg production. Information resources Mineral supplements Marketing information for organic farmers (meat, milk, eggs, grain) Poultry information sheet Sources of animal feed Getting you meat and eggs to market Organic Poultry - an introductory guide Click on the links above or contact us to get a copy. Technical guides Managing Organic Laying Hens See our full list of technical guides in our online shop. Price data Latest livestock, dairy and eggs price data Useful links Source day old chicks from the Soil Association's organic marketplace: www.organicmarketplace.org Poultry health and welfare in organic farming: www.organic-vet.reading.ac.uk/Poultryweb/home.htm To find out about homoeopathy training courses for farmers contact 'Homoeopathy at Wellie Level' (HAWL) www.hawl.co.uk Useful contacts Support in your area from the Food and Farming Department