You must search the organicxlivestock.de database to ensure that there are no comparable organic animals for sale within a 200 km radius of the farm. Then

1) non-organic poultry can be placed in an organic poultry production unit, provided that the pullets for egg production and the poultry for meat production are less than three days old , or

2.) young animals may be used for breeding purposes to build up a flock or herd. They must be reared immediately after weaning in accordance with the organic production rules. The following restrictions also apply to the day the animals are introduced into the herd or flock:

(a) cattle, horses and antlered animals must be less than six months old;

b) sheep and goats must be less than 60 days old

c) Pigs must weigh less than 35 kg.

d) Rabbits must be less than three months old.
or

3.) non-organic/non-organic adult males and nulliparous (not yet born) females are used for breeding purposes to renew a herd or flock. They must then be reared in accordance with the organic production rules. In addition, the number of females per year is limited as follows:

(a) up to a maximum of 10 % of the herd of adult horses or cattle and 20 % of the herd of adult pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits or antlered animals may be used;

b) for smaller units, such herd/flock renewal is limited to a maximum of one animal per year.

These percentages may be increased to up to 40% if

• the livestock holding has been significantly increased or
• one breed is replaced by another or
• a new branch of animal production has been established.

The animals must be identifiable at all times or kept separately from the organic animals during the conversion period.