Initial situation: High level of technological advancement – lack of small-scale structures
The rearing, slaughtering, and production of Austrian poultry products is highly mechanized. Production units are becoming larger, while the number of farms is decreasing. The market is dominated by a few large-scale poultry slaughterhouses using high-performance rearing systems.
The result of this development: Products from small-scale, domestic poultry production are hardly available on the market anymore. The structures for the production and distribution of small units of quality poultry have also largely disappeared in Austria.
The goal of the "Home Chicken" project
Against this backdrop, the "Heimathuhn" project comes into play. The core of the project is the development of a practical, integrable system for small-scale poultry production, processing, and marketing in Austria.
The aim is to create a model that opens up new perspectives for agricultural businesses and strengthens regional value creation.
Project partners and interdisciplinary collaboration
- The project is supported by a broadly based consortium:
- Submitter: Patrick Birkl (K&P Hendlhof)
- Eiermacher GmbH (slaughterhouse)
- HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein (Consulting & Science)
- Lugitsch (animal feed)
- Mag. Schuller (Specialist Veterinarian for Poultry)
- Staudinger & Partner (Business & Innovation Consulting)
- HLBLA St. Florian (Diploma theses)
HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein contributes its scientific and advisory expertise in the areas of animal husbandry, emissions, production systems and sustainability.
Added value for agriculture, market and regions
The "Heimathuhn" project pursues a holistic approach with several advantages:
- Development of new, high-quality Austrian chicken products
- Market opportunities and new sales channels for small "poultry manufacturers"
- Use of more robust chicken breeds with lower requirements for feeding and housing environment (e.g. reduced protein requirements, alternative feedstuffs, local heat sources in rearing)
- Use of small-scale structures such as existing buildings and pastures
- Lower resource consumption and reduced emissions compared to large units
- Contribution to the preservation of the cultural landscape and impetus for regional tourism
Successful project launch
During the kick-off meeting, the project's focus areas, roles within the consortium, and next steps were agreed upon. The project partners reaffirmed their shared goal of developing "Heimathuhn" (Home-Raised Chicken) as an economically viable and sustainable alternative to highly technological poultry production. The project consortium is supported by three students and a professor of animal husbandry from the HLBLA St. Florian agricultural college; the students are writing their diploma theses on specific aspects of the "Heimathuhn" project.
