Soil macrofauna under laying hens’ grazed fields in two different agroecosystems in Portugal

Abstract Although chickens can improve the chemical properties of soil through deposition excreta, their effects on macrofauna are poorly known. This work assessed grazing indigenous laying hens two agroecosystems in Portugal: an organic horticultural field and a conventional orchard. At field, were used to control weeds results compared with those other weed treatments: mechanical (rototiller) thermal (flame weeding). orchard, that orchard understory vegetation, as control. Soil epigeic was collected both locations, earthworms only field. Relative treatments, increased density medium term (ranging from 150 625 earthworms/m 2 ), without harming diversity macrofauna. However, at grazed soils presented lower diversity, well significantly spiders than (4.67 vs 8.67 individuals/sample, respectively). These suggest be affected by several factors, including type agroecosystem farm management. Further research is required optimize management different farming systems, considering animal duration, thus ensuring best contributions fertility.