CHICKEN ECOLOGY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES (CHICKEES)

Working in cooperation with our grower collaborators, we propose to: (1) Detail chickens' feeding on pest and beneficial insects, and weeds, through molecular analysis of dietary-DNA remains in chicken feces, (2) Track likely sources of chicken exposure to Salmonella and Campylobacter bacteria using whole-genome pathogen sequencing, and (3) Quantify the birds' net impacts on arthropods, weeds, and soil microbes, through on-farm chicken exclusion experiments. Our "Chicken Dinner" outreach effort will recruit grower citizen-scientists from across the southeastern U.S. to submit samples from their own pastured flocks for diet and pathogen analysis, so they can assess the ecosystem services (and disservices) their birds are providing. Our ultimate goal is to provide growers with practical tools to maximize the benefits of pastured chickens, while minimizing any dangers, as part of whole-farm planning.