Interactions between broiler chickens, soil parameters and short rotation coppice willow in a free-range system

ABSTRACT

Planting short rotation coppice willows (SRCW) in chickens’ free-range areas could have several advantages for the chickens, environment and farmer. Our aim was to test the effects of combining SRCW and chickens on free-range use, soil conditions and SRCW growth. A free-range chicken area was partially planted with a grass/clover mixture, and partially with SRCW. Chickens preferred to range in SRCW compared to grassland. No effects of periodical chicken presence on SRCW growth were observed. Total mineral N (N_min) was affected by interactions between vegetation type, location, and soil depth; it was generally higher in SRCW than in grassland and in areas close to the chicken houses. N_min did not appear to accumulate in the soil over the years, but there were strong indications for higher risk of N leaching to deeper soil layers and possibly to groundwater close to the houses and in SRCW. SRCW was beneficial for the chickens, but the combination needs to be studied further with a focus on strategies for preventing nutrient leaching to groundwater.

KEYWORDS:

• Willow
• carbon storage
• nitrogen loss
• poultry
• biomass
• agroforestry

Highlights

• SRCW was successful in attracting chickens (farther) into the free-range area

• Soil mineral N levels were higher in SRCW than in grassland

• Soil mineral N levels were higher in areas with high chicken density

• Soil C sequestration did not differ between grassland and SRCW

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the animal caretakers of ILVO for their care for the animals, and A. De Vliegher and the technical team of G. De Smet for installation and maintenance of the SRCW plots and collection of soil samples. They also thank V. Nelissen for help with the nitrogen balance. This research was funded by a Ph.D. grant of Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO).

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Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Flanders Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO).