Free range chicken technology and breeding tips

In rural areas, free-range chickens are very common. Many rural free-range chicken farmers often lack basic feeding management , have very poor sanitary conditions, and have never even carried out disinfection measures. This leads to the growth and spread of viruses and bacteria, making the flocks susceptible to disease. If you are a farmer who wants to make a profit from free-range chickens, you must pay attention to the details of raising free-range chickens. Let’s learn about rural free-range chicken technology and breeding techniques.

1. Construction of free-range chicken houses

Free-range chickens do not mean there is no chicken coop, it just means that the chicken coop is simpler than that of caged chickens. The chicken house should be built in an area with higher terrain and good ventilation to ensure heat protection and cooling in summer, shelter from wind and rain, and insulation in winter. In low temperatures, insulation measures in the chicken house are crucial to the growth rate and egg production rate of chickens. The area of ​​the chicken house should be 6-8 chickens per square meter, and chicken racks should be set up inside, which can accommodate 5 chickens per meter. Buckets and feed barrels are packed in units of 50 chickens. Avoid overcrowding to reduce the occurrence of disease.

2. Feeding and Management

The breeding and management of free-range chickens is very different from that of caged chickens, and many issues need to be considered and corresponding breeding and management techniques need to be mastered.

Roosters and hens should be kept in separate groups for better management. Roosters are mainly used for selling live chickens and have a shorter breeding cycle; while hens are responsible for laying eggs and have a longer breeding period. Raising roosters and hens separately can avoid fighting between them, which affects the hens' egg production, and ensure the proper distribution of feed .

Build a small isolation coop for weak and sick chickens to provide special nutrition and prevent trampling.

Strengthen patrols of the chicken coop at night and try to let the chickens rest on the racks to avoid being stepped on. When the chicken house is small or the temperature is low, chickens tend to gather together to keep warm.

Develop a good habit of keeping a feeding log in order to summarize feeding and management experience. Strictly filling out the breeding log and forming a paper document will help summarize management experience.

3. Disease Prevention

Disease prevention and control of free-range chickens is extremely important, and we should establish the concept of prevention first. Disease prevention and control must never be taken lightly, otherwise the chickens will easily get sick, and it may even lead to total loss.

Chickens must be vaccinated against Newcastle disease and avian influenza. These two diseases are highly contagious and difficult to control once they break out, easily causing serious losses.

Preventive dosing was performed twice a month. One is to prevent E. coli, and the other is to prevent colds. The medication for these two diseases needs to be adjusted according to the season. In summer, the main focus is on preventing E. coli, and in autumn and winter, the main focus is on preventing colds.

During the egg-laying period, try to use antibiotic-free products to prevent affecting the quality of eggs .

In general, whether it is free-range chickens or caged chickens, breeding technology is essential. It does not mean that free-range chickens are just free-range and you don’t have to take care of them.