How chickens and cattle are a surprising fit in soil restoration

Gemma Cripps, a cattle station owner in Western Australia's Murchison region, has introduced chickens to her property after learning about their potential benefits for soil restoration during a regenerative agriculture course. The chickens, which graze on the land and leave manure, have contributed to improved soil hydration and plant health.

Two years into the experiment, Cripps has observed more vibrant wildflowers with a distinct color change, indicative of altered soil pH. Despite facing challenges such as dingo attacks and avian influenza threats, Cripps remains optimistic about the long-term viability of chickens on her property. While the chickens do not consume wildflowers, their scratching behavior aids in water infiltration and provides natural fertilizer.

The property, spanning 271,000 hectares, utilizes a small portion of the land for the chickens. The flock has experienced setbacks, including a dingo attack that killed around 80 chickens, leading to the implementation of a portable electric fence for their safety. Additionally, the region's isolation and lack of a permanent water source pose concerns for avian influenza risks.

Despite these setbacks, Cripps and her partner Helen Williamson aim to maintain a free-range chicken operation, hoping to breed their own chickens for enhanced biosecurity. If demand for eggs increases, they would consider expanding their flock size, but any growth would require careful consideration of additional feed and management costs.