Use of chickens and other birds on high and medium slopes

Use of chickens and other birds on high and medium slopes

DREVO Slope Poultry & Bird Management

Concept

In the systemDREVO Living MountainsDomestic and wild birds are used as part of multi-level slope restoration.

They can perform the following functions:

collect insects and their larvae;

recycle fallen fruits;

loosen the top layer of forest litter;

distribute organic matter;

add a small amount of manure;

spread individual seeds;

maintain food chains;

increase the productivity of agroforestry sites;

provide eggs, meat, feathers and breeding material.

However, the bird should not be considered as an independent method of slope restoration.

The main principle:

On a slope, the bird must move along a system of small mobile sectors, without creating permanent bare areas.

1. Difference between high and medium slopes

High slopes

Characteristic conditions:

strong wind;

shallow soil;

rapid surface runoff;

significant temperature changes;

limited food supply;

increased risk of erosion;

distance from infrastructure.

Here the bird is used in a limited way:

on the terraces;

in protected hollows;

in sparse forests;

around forest gardens;

on stable firebreaks.

Free-range keeping on a steep open slope is not desirable.

Middle slopes

Usually have:

deeper soil;

sustainable vegetation;

more trees and shrubs;

natural protection from the wind;

access to water;

developed agroforestry areas.

It is the middle slopes that are the main zone for integration:

belt;

turkeys;

guinea fowl;

quails;

pigeons;

individual breeds of ducks;

local wild birds.

2. Where poultry cannot be used

Permanent or temporary access is closed to the following areas:

with bare soil;

with fresh plantings;

with active erosion;

after the fire;

around springs;

near open drinking water reservoirs;

on wet landslide soils;

in natural nesting areas;

in places of rare land plants;

in amphibian breeding areas;

on steep scree slopes;

in emergency spillways;

in sectors treated with toxic substances;

in places of possible contact with sick wild birds.

3. Chickens

Chickens are the most versatile bird for mid-slope agroforestry systems.

Useful features

Chickens:

collect beetles, larvae and some caterpillars;

eat fallen damaged fruits;

reduce the number of individual pests under trees;

mix the surface litter;

crush the leaves;

bring in litter;

help maintain passages between plantings;

They give eggs and meat.

In forest farming systems, tree cover provides chickens with shade, protection from heat, wind, and some aerial predators, and manure returns nutrients to the soil.

Where are they especially useful?

orchards;

walnut groves;

terraced vineyards;

berry patches;

mature agroforestry systems;

spaces between mature trees;

chestnut and oak forest gardens;

nurseries after completion of the vulnerable growth phase.

Main risks

Chickens can:

dig up the roots of young plants;

destroy mulch;

eat the seeds;

damage seedlings;

create dust and mud areas;

concentrate nitrogen and phosphorus around the chicken coop;

pollute water;

eat up beneficial invertebrates;

interfere with the natural regeneration of plants.

On a steep slope, loosening the soil with paws can speed up the washout after a rainstorm.

4. Turkeys

Turkeys are best suited for:

wide terraces;

sparse forest;

large orchards;

sustainable forest pastures.

Useful features

They are capable of:

collect large insects;

eat some of the locusts;

recycle fallen fruits;

use coarse herbaceous vegetation;

to cover large areas.

Risks

Turkeys:

heavier than chickens;

cause more damage to soft soil;

require more space;

can perch on trees and structures;

more difficult to control on cliffs;

vulnerable to predators and bad weather.

On high slopes they are placed only in large, protected sectors with stable soil.

5. Guinea fowl

Guinea fowl are especially promising for dry and warm slopes.

Useful features

actively collect insects;

capable of covering large areas;

dig up the soil less than chickens;

make good use of open woodlands;

give a loud signal when danger appears;

Suitable for gardens and forest belts.

Restrictions

Guinea fowl:

noisy;

able to travel far;

do not respond well to conventional fencing;

can spend the night in trees;

require training to use a mobile base;

create a risk of contact with wild birds.

They are best used in a controlled manner with GPS tags, a shepherd or a well-established territorial habit.

6. Ducks

Ducks are not suitable for the slope itself, but for:

lower terraces;

wet gardens;

areas near small ponds;

rice or wet agroforestry systems;

areas with snails and slugs.

Useful features

Ducks:

eat slugs;

collect aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates;

dig up the soil less than chickens;

can work in wet vegetation;

They process some of the fallen fruits.

Main risks

destroy the soft edges of water bodies;

quickly pollute small water bowls;

create liquid droppings;

increase the intake of nutrients;

can carry diseases through contact with wild waterfowl.

On the upper slopes, ducks are usually not advisable.

7. Geese

Geese are primarily herbivorous birds.

Possible functions

keeping grass short;

cleaning of passages;

use of stable row spacing in the garden;

protection of the territory through noisy behavior.

Risks

Geese:

heavily pollute recreation areas;

damage young trees and shrubs;

strip the bark;

trample down wet soil;

can be aggressive;

create excess load near the water.

On slopes geese are only allowed:

on wide, sloping terraces;

in a stable mature garden;

short cycles;

away from springs and young plantings.

8. Quails

Domestic quails are usually kept in secure mobile enclosures.

They are suitable for:

small terraces;

forest nurseries;

educational and tribal modules;

areas with limited space.

Free release of most domestic quails is not practical due to:

high vulnerability to predators;

weak attachment to place;

risk of loss;

contact with wild populations;

difficulties of control.

9. Pigeons

Pigeons can be used as an additional element in farm settlements on medium slopes.

Possible functions:

production of litter;

obtaining meat;

transfer of seeds within the territory;

use of vertical infrastructure.

But dovecotes should be located:

away from water intakes;

with litter control;

without creating conflicts with wild rock birds;

under veterinary supervision.

Pigeons are not the primary recovery tool.

10. Wild birds

For wild birds, the right strategy is to primarilycreating an environment, and not an artificial release.

Insectivorous birds

Functions:

track control;

collection of larvae;

eating bugs;

regulation of individual pests.

Required:

old trees;

shrubs;

hollows;

dead wood;

water points;

absence of insecticides.

Fruit-eating birds

Spread seeds:

juniper;

rowan;

hawthorn;

viburnum;

rose hips;

wild apple tree;

local berry bushes.

Birds of prey

Control:

mice;

voles;

individual small birds;

weak animals.

The following are created for them:

high perches;

old trees;

quiet rocky areas;

open hunting corridors.

Ground-nesting birds

They require areas free of chickens, dogs and constant human traffic.

Poultry should not enter their nesting areas.

11. Mobile slope chicken coop

The basis of the system becomesDREVO Mobile Slope Poultry Hub.

It can be performed in the form of:

light trailer;

platforms on wide wheels;

tracked platform;

sled frame;

module on DREVO AgriRail;

collapsible portable complex.

Main functions:

night shelter;

protection from predators;

egg collection;

feed storage;

automatic opening and closing;

ventilation;

temperature control;

charging GPS tags;

collection of part of the droppings;

video surveillance.

On high slopes the base is fixed:

anchors;

adjustable supports;

anti-roll elements;

with stretch marks from the wind.

12. Bird tractors

For precise control, mobile enclosures without a permanent floor are used.

They allow:

process a specific strip;

do not release the bird onto the entire slope;

protect from predators;

control the duration of exposure;

distribute droppings;

move the bird after achieving the desired result.

The bird tractor is especially useful:

between rows of trees;

on the terraces;

after harvesting;

before sowing grass;

when preparing a firebreak.

13. Sector size

The system starts with small pilot sites.

Approximate starting model:

This is not a universal stocking rate. The actual load is determined by the condition of the vegetation and soil.

14. Rotary system

Typical cycle:

sector survey;

protection of young plants;

installation of a mobile shelter;

short-term release;

soil and vegetation control;

poultry hatching;

overseeding or mulching;

restorative rest;

re-evaluation.

The bird hatches not when all the grass is destroyed, but much earlier.

15. Vegetation control

On the slope it is necessary to maintain:

dense root system;

layer of plant debris;

live grass;

shrub islands;

protecting the soil from direct rainfall.

Signs of overexertion:

visible bare ground;

numerous swimming holes;

mulch displacement down the slope;

root damage;

disappearance of flowering plants;

the appearance of the smell of ammonia;

increase in flies;

muddy runoff after rain.

When these signs appear, the bird is immediately transferred.

16. Litter as a resource and a risk

Bird droppings contain concentrated nutrients.

In moderation it:

returns nitrogen;

returns phosphorus;

supports soil biology;

accelerates the decomposition of plant residues.

When in excess, it causes:

plant burn;

accumulation of nitrates;

phosphorus leaching;

eutrophication of water bodies;

scent;

development of flies;

sanitary risks.

Therefore, you cannot place:

permanent feeders in one place;

stationary drinkers on bare ground;

chicken coop directly above the drainage ditch;

large herds near the spring.

17. Feeding management

If the birds are constantly fed in one area, the bulk of the droppings will accumulate there.

Therefore, feeding is organized:

in small portions;

at several points;

with regular movement;

inside protected feeders;

away from waterways;

on a stable foundation.

Some of the food can be distributed around the area to encourage uniform movement, but this should not attract rodents and wild birds.

18. Water for birds

Drinking bowls must:

be closed to wild birds;

do not overflow;

have a solid foundation;

cleanse regularly;

move;

be located away from springs and natural bodies of water.

Official biosecurity measures recommend storing food, water and bedding so that wild birds and rodents cannot access them.

19. Protection from predators

On the slopes the bird is threatened by:

foxes;

martens;

jackal;

dogs;

wild cats;

seat;

hawks;

owls.

The protection system includes:

automatic night closing;

electric grid;

upper mesh sections;

shrub shelters;

protective canopies;

guard dogs only under control;

cameras;

motion sensors;

minimum power night lighting.

Wild predators cannot be exterminated for the sake of poultry farming. Infrastructure must adapt to their presence.

20. Biosafety

Contact between domestic poultry and wild birds creates a risk of infection transmission.

Required:

registration of livestock according to local regulations;

daily inspection;

quarantine of new birds;

closed feed;

closed drinking water;

separate footwear and equipment;

cleaning mobile modules;

removal of dead birds;

rodent control;

temporary closure of poultry due to epizootic restrictions.

Protection measures against bird flu require preventing wild birds and rodents from accessing feed, water, and poultry premises.

21. Work after harvest

The safest time to keep chickens in the garden is:

after harvesting the fruits;

before the beginning of the vulnerable spring phase;

after the young grasses have taken root;

outside the period of heavy rains.

Chickens can collect:

damaged fruits;

part of the larvae;

insects in the litter;

harvest remains.

Before low-growing berries and vegetables ripen, the birds are usually taken out.

22. Working with young trees

Young trees are protected by:

mesh cylinders;

wooden boxes;

stone-branch rings;

dense planting of shrubs;

temporary fencing of the entire group.

Chickens are capable of digging into the root zone even without causing direct damage to the trunk.

Until the landings are fully secured, the birds are allowed only in closed passages.

23. Fire protection function

The bird can reduce:

number of small weed seeds;

part of dry grass;

layer of fallen fruits;

small insects;

organic remains around economic zones.

But chickens are not able to replace:

sheep;

eye;

mowing;

mechanical removal of shrubs;

firebreaks.

Their contribution is auxiliary and is most noticeable on small terraces.

24. Mixed groups of birds

Different species do not necessarily have to be kept together.

Rational scheme:

Chickens

Precise processing of garden and forest terraces.

Guinea fowl

Extensive patrolling of dry sparse forests.

Turkeys

Large, stable garden sectors.

Ducks

Lower wet terraces and slug areas.

Geese

Short-term grass control on wide, sloping areas.

Simultaneous maintenance complicates:

feeding;

veterinary control;

protection;

assessment of the actual impact of each type.

Therefore, one type of bird is tested first in one type of sector.

25. Integration with trees and crops

The bird can work under:

nut;

chestnut;

oak in a forest garden system;

olive;

carob tree;

apple tree;

pear;

plum;

cherries;

mulberry;

grapes on properly arranged terraces;

forage shrubs.

In this case, toxicity is checked:

fruits;

seeds;

leaves;

plant treatments;

protective drugs.

Birds should not be released into a garden that has recently been treated with pesticides.

26. DREVO Poultry Corridor

On medium slopes, a network of connected sectors can be created.

It includes:

mobile chicken coops;

shadow islands;

feeding areas;

protected drinking bowls;

safe crossings;

forest belts;

temporary fencing;

zones of complete peace.

The bird gradually moves:

Garden → Forest Terrace → Firebreak → Restoration Site → Base.

27. Integration with DREVO AgriRail

On steep sections, small mobile modules can be transported by the systemWOOD AgriRail.

She delivers:

feed;

water;

bedding;

eggs;

mobile fencing;

battery;

veterinary equipment.

This reduces the need for heavy vehicles to constantly move up the slope.

28. Living Mountain Observatory

Controlled by:

bird location;

duration of stay;

state of vegetation;

area of ​​exposed soil;

nitrogen and phosphorus content;

water quality downslope;

plant damage;

insect population;

contact with wild birds;

presence of predators;

veterinary indicators.

Used:

lightweight GPS tags;

cameras;

chicken coop sensors;

automatic livestock accounting;

TREVO AeroSense Drone;

photogrammetry;

soil stations.

29. TREE AI

The system calculates:

optimal sector;

travel time;

state of the food supply;

probability of erosion;

risk of overheating;

accumulation of droppings;

probability of attack by predators;

sanitary restrictions;

safe route for mobile chicken coop.

The decision is confirmed by the operator, since the bird's behavior and the slope condition cannot be assessed solely by the calculation model.

30. Example of a sequence on the middle slope

Spring

poultry is not allowed into areas of fresh crops;

young plants are protected;

veterinary control is carried out;

the first small sectors are being formed.

The beginning of summer

chickens work in mature gardens;

guinea fowl - in dry sparse forests;

The vegetation cover is controlled.

End of summer

work on firebreaks;

collection of insects and fallen early fruits;

reducing the time spent in drought conditions.

Autumn

the main passage through the garden after the harvest;

processing of fallen fruits;

introduction of seed mixtures after hatching of birds.

Winter

limited access to stable areas;

protection of wet soil;

keeping some of the birds in closed winter modules;

preparing the next rotation.

31. Criteria for immediate withdrawal of birds

The bird is transferred to another sector if:

bare soil is visible;

gullies appear;

the roots are damaged;

mulch disappears;

the turbidity of the runoff increases;

vegetation is cut below a specified level;

droppings accumulate;

a strong smell appears;

the number of flies is growing;

the bird comes out to the spring;

signs of illness are observed;

sick or dead wild birds were found;

predatory pressure is increasing.

32. What not to do

The following is not allowed:

freely release chickens onto the entire slope;

place a permanent chicken coop on steep ground;

keep a bird near a spring;

release the bird after a rainstorm;

leave food available to wild birds;

keep ducks in a small natural body of water;

allow geese to be in young plantings at all times;

release turkeys onto scree slopes and cliffs;

mix domestic poultry with natural nesting colonies;

to destroy predators for the sake of free keeping of poultry;

apply the same density on all slopes;

use poultry as a substitute for soil restoration;

consider land completely cleared of vegetation a good result.

33. Success criteria

The system works correctly if:

the soil remains covered with vegetation;

no erosion occurs;

the number of individual pests is reduced;

useful invertebrates are preserved;

trees are not damaged;

the droppings are distributed evenly;

the water down the slope is not polluted;

the bird remains healthy;

conflicts with wildlife do not increase;

economic products are created without degradation of the slope;

each sector is fully restored before the next cycle.

Mission

Chickens and other birds can be an important part ofDREVO Living Mountains, especially on mid-slopes, in forest gardens, woodlands and mature agroforestry systems.

Chickens perform precise work under the trees. Guinea fowl patrol the dry areas. Turkeys work on the wide terraces. Ducks are used in the damp lower sectors. Wild birds restore the natural connections between the forest, shrubs, insects, and seeds.

But the bird is only useful when controlled mobile.

On a slope, a good chicken coop is one that moves regularly, leaving no bare ground or contaminated water behind.