Claire Thompson
Raising free-range chickens in the Philippines is gaining popularity, driven by rising demand from health- and eco-conscious consumers. Free-range chickens are considered safer and healthier than commercially farmed chickens, as they are raised outdoors with space to roam and forage for food. To start raising free-range chickens, it is important to set clear goals, conduct market research, and obtain the necessary permits and licenses. Careful planning, knowledge of poultry farming practices, and dedication are required. A suitable site with access to pasture, clean water, and electricity is essential, and the area should be fenced off to protect the chickens from wild animals and theft. Proper housing, feeding, lighting, vaccination, and cleaning practices are also crucial for the success of a free-range chicken farming venture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken breeds | Native Philippines chickens, non-native breeds, hybrid breeds, crossbreeds like Sasso Brown Chicken, Asil Chicken, Naked Chicken, and Black Cemari Turken |
| Site | Grassy with enough pasture for foraging, easy access to clean water and electricity, far from roads and train tracks with high traffic, ranging area around the house for sunlight and foraging |
| Housing | Adequate space, ventilation, and protection from predators, facing southeast, surrounded by a fence, constructed from local materials like bamboo or palm leaves, or purchased materials like bricks, tiles, and cement |
| Feeding | Corn, rice, cassava, compound feed, commercial feeds, or a custom formulation with the right combination of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals |
| Egg-laying hens | Fed with layer feeds after two months, with beddings cleaned and replaced every two months, and proper lighting to increase production |
| Cleaning | Foot bath for visitors, cleaning materials like a dustpan, broom, brush, pale, and web broom, disinfecting materials like chlorine and powder soap |
| Permits and licenses | Registration, mayor's permit, health and safety regulations, barangay ordinances |
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What You'll Learn
- Choose a good site with pasture, water, electricity, and protection from theft and disease
- Construct housing with local or purchased materials, facing southeast
- Plan a feeding program with a poultry nutritionist, including herbs and garlic
- Implement biosecurity measures, including foot baths and regular cleaning
- Set goals, conduct market research, and obtain permits and licenses
Choose a good site with pasture, water, electricity, and protection from theft and disease
The success of your free-range chicken farming venture in the Philippines heavily relies on choosing a good site. Here are some key considerations when selecting a site:
Pasture
The site should be grassy to allow for enough pasture for your chickens to forage. As a rule of thumb, allocate at least one square foot of pasture per bird. However, providing more space is better as it aligns with the concept of free-range farming, allowing the birds to roam freely and access sunlight.
Water and Electricity
Ensure easy access to clean water and electricity. These are essential for maintaining your free-range chicken farm.
Protection from Theft
Choose a location that is distant from busy roads and train tracks. This measure helps protect your chickens from theft and reduces the risk of disease transmission associated with high-traffic areas.
Protection from Disease
In addition to distancing yourself from potential sources of disease transmission, you can protect your chickens from disease-carrying mosquitoes and wild animals by using free-range nets. These nets provide a physical barrier, ensuring the health and safety of your flock. Proper cleaning of the chicken farm is also crucial to biosecurity. Implement regular cleaning routines and provide a foot bath for visitors to disinfect their feet before entering the farm.
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Construct housing with local or purchased materials, facing southeast
Constructing housing for your chickens is an important step in setting up a free-range chicken farm in the Philippines. The housing should provide adequate space, ventilation and protection from predators. It should also be facing southeast.
You can construct the housing using local materials such as bamboo or palm leaves, or purchased materials such as bricks, tiles for the roof, and cement for a concrete floor. If you use bamboo for the floor, make sure it is 40-50 cm above the ground. Install nest boxes for laying hens inside the chicken house.
It is important to keep the chicken house clean to protect your birds from infections and diseases, and provide an ideal environment for them to grow. Clean the chicken house regularly using cleaning materials such as a dustpan, broom, brush, pale, and web broom. Use detergents and disinfecting materials like chlorine and powder soap.
You can also build a herbal garden to supplement the health of your flock. Some common herbs that you will find useful include garlic, which can be used as a natural antibiotic and added to the chicken feed or drinking water.
In addition to the chicken house, you will also need to set up fencing around the perimeter to protect your chickens from wild animals and theft. The fence should be at least six feet in height and made of barbed wire, chicken wire, netting, or other materials such as wooden boards or iron sheets.
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Plan a feeding program with a poultry nutritionist, including herbs and garlic
When raising free-range chickens in the Philippines, it is important to plan a feeding program with a poultry nutritionist and to include herbs and garlic in their diet. Here is a suggested feeding program:
Firstly, consult a poultry nutritionist to formulate a feed plan that suits the specific needs of your flock. The nutritionist will take into account the age, breed, health status, and productivity of your chickens to design a balanced and complete diet. This diet should include a mix of commercial feeds or, if you prefer, you can formulate your own feeds with guidance from the nutritionist.
Secondly, supplement the feed with herbs and garlic to boost the health of your chickens. Herbs such as lavender, mint, oregano, parsley, cilantro, thyme, and basil can be offered fresh or dried. These herbs provide nutritional benefits and can also act as natural pest repellents. Garlic, known for its antibacterial properties, can be added to the feed or crushed and mixed into the drinking water. It is important to note that garlic and onions can impact the flavour of eggs, so use them sparingly and adjust the quantity as needed.
Thirdly, in addition to herbs and garlic, offer your chickens a variety of treats and table scraps as recommended by the nutritionist. This can include vegetables, meat scraps, and grains. Soaking feed can decrease waste and ensure your chickens consume all the nutrients. However, be mindful of the types of treats you offer, as some foods like avocado pits, skins, and undercooked beans can be toxic to chickens.
Finally, ensure that you follow the 90/10 rule, where 90% of the diet consists of complete feed and 10% is treats. This will prevent nutrient dilution and ensure your chickens get all the necessary nutrients from their feed. It is also important to provide enough pasture area for your chickens to forage and supplement their diet with natural insects and plants.
By following this feeding program and working closely with a poultry nutritionist, you can raise healthy and productive free-range chickens in the Philippines.
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Implement biosecurity measures, including foot baths and regular cleaning
Implementing biosecurity measures is crucial for protecting your free-range chicken farm in the Philippines from infections and diseases. It will also provide an ideal environment for your chickens to grow and thrive. Here are some detailed instructions for implementing biosecurity measures, including foot baths and regular cleaning:
Foot Baths
Provide a foot bath that is at least 4 inches deep at the entrance of your chicken farm. Ensure that all visitors, including yourself, dip and disinfect their feet before entering the farm. This will help prevent the spread of pathogens and diseases from outside.
Regular Cleaning
Regularly clean the chicken house, drinkers, and other equipment using cleaning materials such as a dustpan, broom, brush, pale, and web broom. Aim to clean at least once every two to three weeks, depending on the level of contamination. Additionally, use detergents and disinfecting materials like chlorine and powder soap for a thorough clean. Don't forget to also regularly clean the ranging area and farming equipment, such as feeders and waterers.
Bedding and Litter
Change the bedding or litter regularly, with the frequency depending on contamination levels. Typically, it should be changed every two to three weeks. Use bedding that provides proper ventilation, such as sawdust, rice straw, or rice hull. After use, the bedding can be repurposed as organic manure.
Feed and Water
Provide your chickens with clean drinking water daily. You can use commercial feeds or formulate your own to ensure the quality of the ingredients. Ensure their feed is free from chemical agents and fertilizers so they can source clean food from their pasture.
Site Selection
Choose a site that is grassy and provides enough pasture for your chickens to forage. Ensure easy access to clean water and electricity, and maintain a distance from high-traffic roads and train tracks to minimise the risk of disease spread and protect your chickens from theft.
By implementing these biosecurity measures, you can help ensure the health and productivity of your free-range chicken farm in the Philippines while also reducing potential losses from disease outbreaks.
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Set goals, conduct market research, and obtain permits and licenses
Setting clear goals for your free-range chicken farm in the Philippines is essential. Ask yourself what you want to achieve: Are you raising chickens primarily for meat or eggs? Understanding your goals will help you make informed decisions and develop a plan.
Market research is key to understanding the demand for chicken products in your area and determining profitability. Study local consumption patterns, prices, and competition. This knowledge will guide your business strategies and help you adapt and improve your practices to stay competitive and meet customer needs.
Before starting your chicken farm, you must obtain the necessary permits and licenses from the appropriate government agencies. This includes registering your business, securing a mayor's permit, and complying with health and safety regulations. Visit your local government offices or seek guidance from a professional to ensure you meet all legal requirements.
In addition to permits and licenses, you should also be aware of the relevant regulations and guidelines for chicken farming in the Philippines. This includes biosecurity measures such as proper cleaning of the chicken house, drinkers, and equipment to protect your birds from infections and diseases.
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Frequently asked questions
Free-range chickens are healthier and safer than chickens farmed commercially as they are raised outdoors with space to roam and forage for food. They are also less stressed, can freely interact with each other, and seek natural shelter.
You will need a suitable site with plenty of pasture for the chickens to forage. The site should have access to clean water and electricity and be far from roads and train tracks to protect the chickens from theft and disease. You will also need to obtain the required permits and licenses from the government, including registering your business and complying with health and safety regulations.
Set clear goals for your business and conduct market research to understand the demand for chicken products in your area. Find reputable hatcheries or suppliers that provide healthy and disease-free chicks. Develop a feeding program with a poultry nutritionist or veterinarian to meet the nutritional requirements of your chosen breed. Construct chicken houses, feeding and watering systems, and waste management facilities. Protect your chickens from wild animals and mosquitoes with free-range nets.
