Free choice is an alternative feeding method
in which feed ingredients are provided in separate
feeders and birds self-select energy, protein,
mineral, and vitamin feedstuffs as needed; it is
also called cafeteria feeding. Free-choice feeding
is based on the principle that poultry can
adjust intake as a function of nutrient requirements.
Feed selection can be specific for energy,
protein, minerals, or other nutrients [1]. Birds
can adjust intake daily to meet nutrient needs,
which may vary widely in free-range production,
particularly where housing is open to provide
outdoor access and not climate-controlled.
This feeding method was used in the past
in the United States [2], but may hold renewed
potential for alternative poultry production. It
can also be useful in developing parts of the
world where vitamin, mineral, and amino acid
supplements may not be available. In addition,
in organic livestock production, synthetic amino
acids are largely banned. Methionine is the only
synthetic amino acid still permitted under the
USDA National Organic Program (NOP) but
only with restrictions [3].
Free-choice feeding lends itself to using feed
ingredients that have been raised on the farm,
which can reduce costs and increase nutrient
cycling in an agroecosystem, an important concept
in sustainability. Specifically, when crops
are grown on the farm or region to feed animals
and the animal manure is then applied to the
crop fields as fertilizer, nutrients are cycled in
the system instead of requiring external inputs.
Organic programs are generally based on ecological
principles [4].
Free-choice feeding is well-suited to production
systems with outdoor access because
poultry can obtain additional nutrients on pasture
from forage. Also, when feed ingredients
are offered free choice, the need for transportation,
grinding, formulation, and mixing can
be reduced, which can reduce energy usage. In
the current study, a trial was conducted with
the objective of determining the effect of freechoice
feeding on performance of free-range
chickens.