Increasing societal wealth, consumer awareness, demand for safe, healthy food, has resulted in an increased interest in organic food products. As a result, some farm owners may decide to convert to organic production. This paper aims to analyse data characterizing organic farms in the business of organic table egg production in the area of Mazowieckie Voivodeship, Poland, and the adjustments that had to be made to obtain a certificate. For that purpose surveys were handed out to organic farm owners in the Mazowieckie Voivodeship and 9 organic farms were selected for characterization. The first questionnaire contained 45 questions regarding general characteristics of the respondent -the farm owner, the adaptations made to obtain an organic production certificate, distribution and advertisement of products. The second questionnaire contained 10 questions focusing only on poultry production. Surveyed farms were mostly run by men with age above 40 years old, with secondary education. Each surveyed farm practiced mixed organic production, producing organic table eggs along with crops, diary and meat production. Most common farm animals, kept along with poultry, was cattle, with some farms keeping pigs, goats or rabbits. The most popular poultry breed was Green-legged Partridge chickens. In most cases, the respondents choose poultry production due to the popularity amongst consumers, and ease of infrastructure adaptation. Respondents sold their organic products directly at the farm, were consumers could also purchase eggs, meat, vegetables and milk. Product advertisement relied heavily on direct consumer contact and referrals. Internet advertising was also gaining popularity.

The aim of the study was to evaluation of the suitability of broiler chicken and turkey commercial feed mixes in the diets of grey partridge (Perdix perdix L.) during the rearing period. The study was carried out on a farm authorized by the Minister of the Environment to conduct breeding and farming of grey partridge, DL Pgł-6713-23/15852/13/RN dated 24 April 2013. The research material consisted of grey partridge chicks assigned to two groups: one, fed the complete feed mix for turkeys IB-1 till 4 weeks of rearing, followed by the complete feed mix for turkeys B-2 from 5 weeks on (group I, n = 22) and the other, fed the complete feed DKA-Starter for broiler chickens (group II, n = 22). The rearing cycle took 8 weeks. Observations within the experiment included deaths records and monitoring of health status, body weight, feed intake and maintenance conditions. Better parameters of partridges rearing were attained as a result of IB feeding. Birds fed with IB-1 and IB-2 feed mixes showed a higher body weight, as compared to chicks fed DKA-Starter (DKA-S). The difference persisted from the first week of rearing to the end of the feeding trial (respectively 0.32 g and 4.59 g). From day 1 until 8 weeks of age, partridges fed the IB feed showed greater average daily gains (4.17 g), a faster rate of growth (181.67%) and a greater final body weight, all at a lower feed intake compared to those fed mix with DKA-S. It has been found that the IB feed mix can successfully be used in the nutrition of grey partridges.