Blog About Gamebirds and Peafowl: Early-Life Microbial Priming with Johnson Su Compost Extract
Title: Early-Life Microbial Priming in Gamebirds, Peafowl, and Turkeys: A Regenerative Approach from Brow Farm
Published by: Martin Caunce of Brow Farm Ltd | First Trial: Summer 2025
Background
In the summer of 2025, Brow Farm trialled a regenerative method using Johnson-Su compost extract in the early rearing stages of pheasant chicks, peafowl ("peas"), and domestic table turkeys. Our goal was not to medicate or eliminate pathogens, but to explore whether exposing birds to beneficial soil microbes early in life could help their immune systems better handle later encounters with parasites and pathogens.
We introduced a diluted Johnson-Su compost extract into the drinking water of pheasant, peafowl, and turkey chicks starting from Day 3 post-hatch. The water was filtered rainwater, UV-treated after collection, with the extract added after UV filtration to preserve microbial life. This was the first time we had tried such a practice on our birds.
None of the birds received any other medications. This includes no coccidiostats in feed, no wormers, and no other preventative treatments at any point.
Why We Tried It
Our hypothesis was based on the principles of regenerative agriculture: just as healthy soil teems with beneficial microorganisms that help plants resist disease, we believed that a diverse microbial environment could help birds build early immune resilience.
Instead of aiming to prevent exposure to parasites like worms or coccidia, we aimed to give the chicks, peas, and turkeys early exposure to non-harmful microbial diversity, mimicking the kind of natural environment their wild ancestors would have encountered.
We hoped this microbial priming would allow the birds' immune systems to recognize and react more effectively when exposed to more aggressive pathogens later in life.
What We Observed
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Pheasant Chicks: No worm treatments were needed either before or after release—a first in our experience. Birds were released into a pen that had been used year after year, where worm treatments were normally essential.
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Peafowl Chicks: Historically prone to coccidiosis after moving from heated floors to cooler, damper pens, our 2025 batch showed no signs of coccidiosis during or after transition. Bedding in these pens was concrete with wood shavings, a high-risk environment.
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Domestic Table Turkeys: Four turkeys were treated in the same way, receiving no medicated feed or water. All remained healthy throughout rearing, with no signs of coccidiosis or parasite stress.
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All birds showed strong activity levels, consistent feed intake, healthy droppings, and well-formed feathers. No losses or visible signs of parasite stress were recorded.
Why It Matters
This practice may not offer complete immunity to worms or coccidiosis, but the results strongly suggest that early-life microbial diversity builds resilience. Just as a diverse gut microbiome improves health in humans and livestock, the same may be true for gamebirds, turkeys, and ornamental species like peafowl.
As far as we are aware, this is the first documented case of Johnson-Su compost extract being used in this way for pheasant, peafowl, or turkey chicks. We believe it is worth sharing so others can explore and build upon this observation.
What We're Doing Next
We plan to continue using compost extract in 2026 and beyond, refining our methods and recording outcomes. This includes:
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Treating pheasant, peafowl, and turkey chicks again with extract from Day 3.
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Testing bedding misting or feed inoculation with diluted extract.
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Recording worm-egg counts and monitoring coccidiosis signs.
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Exploring partnerships to validate this further.
We welcome interest from researchers or regenerative farming groups who wish to follow or replicate this work.
Closing Thought
Many years ago, a university professor told us: "It's not just about who sees something first. It's about who documents it."
We’re documenting it.
Martin Caunce
Brow Farm Ltd
West Lancashire, UK
www.browfarm.co.uk
admin@browfarm.co.uk