10123022Dual purpose chickens: Exploring the practicalities and sustainability of dual purpose, pasture poultry as additional integrated enterprises for UK farmsClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKChicken and eggs are popular protein sources for UK diets. In the UK, an average of 35Kg of chicken and 200 eggs are consumed per person per year. However, current chicken and egg production has several 'hidden' negative costs. Costs include overseas deforestation from soy-based feed, impacts on human health from antibiotic resistance, poor animal welfare, local pollution from litter disposal, and wastage and ethical challenges from male chick culling. We aim to create a blueprint for pasture-based, dual-purpose poultry that is not reliant on these negative costs. The farm-based blueprint will outline housing, breed, feed, and management options for farmers wishing to incorporate poultry onto their farms. The lack of economic value and thus disposal of male chicks is not a well-known issue, however recent bans in Europe raises this issue up the sustainability agenda. Dual-purpose chickens are those where the males can be reared for meat production while the females are kept to produce eggs. Such breeds reduce wastage in laying hen systems and provide an opportunity for a robust meat bird for pasture-based production. Furthermore, a recent Animal Welfare Committee report recommended supporting _"the development and use of dual-purpose breeds, such as via regenerative and agroecological farming programmes"._ While agroecological chicken production is available in the UK (particularly from small-scale producers), it is unique to focus on the use of dual-purpose breeds. It is also unique to approach dual-purpose, pasture-based production with the ambition to scale onto other farms thereby breaking out of niche markets. The blueprint could be applied to 11.2 million ha of permanent or temporary grassland (65% of the UK's utilised agricultural area) providing a substantial opportunity for poultry production in this way. An additional, integrated chicken system could support diversification of income to UK farmers improving profitability and resilience of existing farming operations. It would also provide an attractive substitute for consumers seeking an alternative to conventionally produced eggs and chicken meat. Through desk-based research this project will undertake initial investigations into available dual-purpose breeds, circular and alternative feed options, housing and management practicalities. Through a small-scale trial the project will refine and explore these components. Stakeholder engagement activities will scope applicability to other farms. All project activities will inform the creation of the farm-based blueprint. Our long-term goal is to scale the blueprint onto other farms by replication, co-creating a network of farmers integrating dual-purpose poultry on their livestock or mixed farms.