Haselbachtal: Pedigree poultry boss Günzel is retiring after 12 years!

Haselbachtal: Pedigree poultry boss Günzel is retiring after 12 years!

The withdrawal of Christoph Günzel, President of the Association of German Poultry Breeders (BDRG), is causing a stir in German poultry farming. After twelve years at the helm, the 72-year-old resigned from his voluntary work and retired to the honorary presidency. Günzel, who can look back on six decades of impressive experience in pedigree poultry breeding, is leaving big shoes to fill. Ute Hudler, the first female president of the BDRG, is taking over his legacy and will take over the fortunes of the association, while Günzel now wants to devote himself to his collection of trophies and pins.  Sächsische.de reports that during his term of office, Günzel not only reformed the administration of the BDRG, but also initiated the construction of the new scientific poultry farm in Rhineland-Palatinate.

Günzel emphasizes that interest in keeping chickens continues to increase in Germany, especially in times of crisis, as many people are increasingly relying on self-sufficiency. This fits in with the current growing trend of keeping chickens in your own garden, which is particularly attractive for families. In Germany, around 200 eggs are consumed per capita every year, and two to six chickens are sufficient for a family of four. Self-sufficiency with eggs from your own garden is an option that is becoming increasingly popular with many, although keeping chickens requires some considerations, such as choosing the right breed of chicken and keeping them in a species-appropriate manner. svsger.de describes that breeds such as the Plymouth Rock and the Sussex are considered particularly suitable.

The challenges of keeping chickens

Although chicken farming is considered particularly ecological, it is not without its challenges. Feed prices and energy costs have increased, which also affects holding costs. In Germany, the annual cost of keeping a chicken is between 120 and 250 euros, depending on the breed and health status. Hobby keepers are also required to vaccinate chickens against Newcastle Disease, a highly contagious viral disease that also affects other bird species. The vaccination protects the animals and is required by law. svsger.de emphasizes that species-appropriate housing with sufficient space, fresh water and food is necessary to minimize health risks.

The decline of poultry farming operations in recent decades is also an important issue. According to the report by Statista The number of farms fell from around 80,000 in 1992 to around 2,980 in 2023. Nevertheless, Germany remains among the three largest producers of poultry meat in the EU, which shows that, despite the challenges, interest in keeping chickens and breeding poultry is unbroken.

Considering all of these factors, it is clear that Christoph Günzel has achieved a lot with his commitment and passion for pedigree poultry breeding. His belief that small animal breeding will still exist in 200 years reflects the hope of many breeders. At a time when people are again placing more value on self-sufficiency and sustainable practices, keeping chickens in your own garden could become an increasingly popular practice in everyday German life.