Harvesting and use of protein-rich alfalfa products in organic poultry feeding (Grünlegum)

In organic poultry nutrition, the supply of essential amino acids to meet the requirements of the animals represents a central challenge. In particular, the supply of sulphur-containing amino acids, especially methionine, is difficult to implement. Within the framework of the ‘Grünlegum’ project, a high potential for the use of Alfalfa products as protein feed in the feeding of non-ruminants was demonstrated. Performance reductions were observed in broilers and laying hens, which could be attributed to the antinutritional saponins contained in the Alfalfa plant. On the other hand, it has already been shown that the antinutritional saponins contained in Alfalfa can reduce nitrogen (N) emissions (ammonia, NH3) in livestock farming. The proposed project aims to systematically investigate the extent to which Alfalfa plant tops and leaves are suitable for organic poultry feeding and whether there are differences in acceptance among selected genotypes, especially for dual-purpose chickens and conventional laying hybrids. Furthermore, the focus is on N emissions and animal welfare when feeding lucerne products. In this way, the goal of 100 % organic feeding on the basis of domestic protein feeds could be achieved and, in addition, N emissions reduced. Building on the results, a broad establishment of the topic in the practice of organic farming should be achieved and, where possible, a transfer to conventional farming should also take place.