A Stable for organic laying hens

Short description

Michael Oberger and his partner Monika, living in the Lower Austrian Schwarzenbach changed their agricultural production from dairy cattle to organic laying hens. The decisive factors were the certain wish for income maintenance on one hand and the aim for a less work intensive production, associated with an improvement of quality of life on the other hand.

In 2015 the Oberger-family built a stable for 6000 organic laying hens. This stable consists of two compartments housing 3000 laying hens each. The separated deep litter area, 6 hectares of free-range area and sufficient provision of natural light/ day light and the possibility for “entertainment” activities, e.g. taking dust baths, ensure the animals’ wellbeing.
A specific conveyor belt carries the spelt glumes-lined nests to the egg collection point, where the eggs are imprinted with the producer code (farm code).
The packaging is effected by the company Schlögl. The eggs are further marketed under the brand “Zurück zum Ursprung”  / “Back to the Origin”.
The costs of the gross investment amount to EUR 830.000.  
The net costs of EUR 615.000 (about EUR 740.000 gross total) were determined as chargeable costs for this project.
The subsidies amount to EUR 120.000, agricultural investments excluded.

Point of departure

The project aims to ensure income maintenance. The Oberger-family took the chance of pursuing a new business branch in order to tackle the worrying market situation of the milk sector. 

Targets and target groups

This project benefits the families as well as the region. Working places, e.g. within the packaging company and the supplying companies for the stable construction, are safeguarded. Michael Oberger attaches great importance to purchase from local companies (feed, construction materials).

Project implementation and measures

The investments were made in a new stable.

Results and effects

The workload has been reduced noticeably. The economic situation has improved.

Erfahrung

It is still important to provide the society with a wide range of information in order to communicate the farmer’s services to all citizens. Especially the construction of stables can meet resistance. Agriculture and Forestry still has to open up.