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Introduction
The evolution of the Free-range poultry system in the Philippines has gone thru a lot of
challenges since it started in 1997 in the Philippines. Starting from the level of a novelty or a
hobbyist chicken, turning into a small scale backyard level, and, eventually progressed into a
level of semi-commercial to a formal commercial production.
The loyal clients of the free-range poultry meat has been growing thru the years because of the
more natural / delicious taste and the health benefits of the meat. The Interest in the project of
free range has
It is of prime importance that the farmer must have genuine true high quality day old chicks to
attain good results on free-range chicken meat production
.”When you use the right tools and correct skills you will eventually produce the right
product!”.
FREE-RANGE CHICKEN FARMING, FOR SMALL FARMERS, IS ABOUT QUALITY PRODUCTION,
NOT QUANTITY.
A substantial income can be generated if properly done in small volumes you will be enjoying
hands-on farming without the stress and pitfalls of over commercialization.
The proper farming and skills that are needed to produce a high quality free-range chicken
meat is the second most important foundation. “you must teach the farmer first before you
sell him the tools of the trade!”.
I recommend, that if you are a starting farmer please practice on small volumes to overcome
the learning curve with minimal waste of time, money and enthusiasm. If you have acquired
the proper knowledge or a legitimate veterinarian / technician has guided you correctly , then
you can venture to a much bigger volume of produce.
“Know your market well”. I always encourage self-reliance in Free-range chicken marketing,
since it is still a niche market. Always be prudent with the volume that you produce against
the actual volume of chickens that the market in your area can really absorb. A gradual
introduction of your produce to the market can give you surprising results due to the very good
taste and health benefits of the free-range chicken meat.
Lastly, always consult your veterinarian / technician that is well versed with the free-range
chicken meat production. Always remember that success in livestock production is also
dependent on the proper guidance of an expert.
Terms of Reference:
1. SUPERIOR F1 FREE-RANGE GENETICS - Your supplier of High Quality Certified free-range poultry
genetics For bookings Please contact the Marketing Director = Ms. Cristina Cruz - 09285059272
2. GRIMAUD FRÈRES / Hubbard– The genetic supplier of from Roussay, France that supplies the Parent
stock Breeders of Free-range colored chicken Meat Types. The company also supply Pekin ducks,
Geese, Hybrid Rabbits, Guniea fowls and Hybrid pigeons worldwide. GRIMAUD Company also owns
HUBBARD internationally.
3. Farmer—Refers to the interested individuals who will raise / manage free-range chicken grow-out
operations. These farmers can raise from 50 heads to 5,000 heads depending on the level of skill and
experience the farmer.
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4. Technicians—these are the skilled personnel, properly taught by the Free-range chicken specialist,
who assists / teaches the farmers in operating the free-range chicken farms.
5. Veterinary specialists—The veterinarian that has an extensive experience in free-range chicken
breeding, hatchery, and meat grow-out production.
Other technical references:
1. Brooding—the stage of growing the chicks from day –old to 21 days. This is the time when you provide
artificial heat to the chicks. This is like the nursery stage.
2. Ranging stage—refers to the time of 21 days up to harvest time when the birds are allowed to graze
in the ranging area.
3. Growing / Finishing stage—The specific stage of 22 days up to 60 days up until harvest stage. Harvest
periods can start at 60 days, 75 days or 81 days depending on the farmers / Consumer preference.
Importance of Parent stocks to sustain a steady supply of good quality day old chicks
To produce good / high quality free-range meat, you need a constant supplier of HARDY, ROBUST
AND PRODUCTIVE chicks, this requires Imported Parent stock breeders
Parent stock breeders are naturally selected to provide the best qualities / traits that when bred
will produce a uniform production of good quality chicks
PARENT STOCK BREEDERS (P.S.) are not related. This prevents abnormalities in the F1 produced.
P.S. are of the same age, properly housed, and well managed.
P.S. are coming from Grand Parent Stock Breeders that were managed properly and with a
complete vaccination.
P.S. consume almost the same amounts of feeds and are managed uniformly.
P.S. Females produce a high number of high quality hatching eggs (60 grams up, eggs) = high
quality chicks (35-40 gram chicks), provided that they are managed properly and within
standards.
The offspring (F1) are efficient in feed conversion (good converters of feeds to meat).
Why we cannot use F1 as breeders
Technically, they are “brothers and sisters” = extreme inbreeding = abnormalities, high
mortalities, irregular and small sizes = poor quality chicks produced
Poor sanitation, incomplete vaccination and medication program = source of contaminations and
diseases = bad quality
F1 will produce approximately 110 eggs which will hatch approximately 50 chicks VS. Certified
P.S. which will produce approximately 160 eggs and hatch approximately 140 chicks.
F1 will consume 75 kilos of feeds compared to 42 kilos by the certified P.S.
Will result to high % mortality, losses, failure.
Why do we need certified F1 (Superior F1 Genetics) in producing good quality free-range chicken meat
A meat-type producer capable of an average of 1.6 kilos live weight at 56 – 60 days. If raised on
a fast grow system.
Ideal harvest age is 60 days.
Feed conversion index FCR = 2.1-2.2
Estimated feed consumption per head up to 56 days is 3.2-3.5 kilos.
Can be used also as a backyard-type free-range chicken and can subsist in the range and with
lesser amount of feeds. LESS FEEDS WILL PRODUCE LESSER MEAT
However, this is personal consumption only and not for commercial production due to lower
meat quality
Standard Liveability up to 56 days is 95%.
Important keys to a successful free-range chicken farming
Get Certified F1 free-range day-old chicks of true high quality.
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Start by: learning to produce with a small starter volume of chicks .
Acquire knowledge thru this manual and consult with your chick supplier that can prrovide
reputable technicians/veterinarians that specializes in free-range production.
Prepare a good but simple housing and invest on proper but simple equipments.
Be prepared to receive the chicks.
Use only quality feeds, price consideration must be secondary
2 CATEGORIES OF FREE-RANGE FARMING
1. BACKYARD TYPE FREE-RANGE FARMING
The main objective of the Backyard type free-range chicken is to provide ANIMAL PROTEIN
SOURCE FOOD ON THE TABLE for farmers in the provinces and urban dwellers in the cities with
available backyard areas for raising the birds.
A small scale system of production of 1-100 heads with the objective of producing meat for
personal or for family consumption only.
This is usually limited to an area of the household backyard. Cost to produce is variable
depending on the available surplus of cereals, vegetable and fruits available as surplus to the
household (otherwise ALTERNATIVE SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDS). The source of manpower is
acquired from available family members.
The quality of meat is below the commercial standards due to the following:
a. The irregular feeding program and the variety of feeds (alternative supplemental feeds from
the household) given to the birds will result to low meat recovery
b. The absence of a regular cycle of loading of chicks and harvesting at a specific time are
needed to maintain a regular supply to stimulate the demand
c. Investments in housing, feeds and equipment are also very important points to consider to
produce uniform production of meat in terms of volume and quality.
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2. MOVABLE RANGING HOUSE (22 DAYS UP TO 80 DAYS) = 7 x 2 x 2 meters or 14 meters per 100
birds. The ranging house can be transferable to another ranging location.
3. RANGING AREA space requirement up to harvest age of 80 days = 1 square meter of ranging area
per bird exclusive of the Mobile ranging house. The ranging area is enclosed with fishnet 5 feet
in height.
Outdoor brooding house double deck design good for A single elevated brooding pen for 50 heads 1 X 2 meters
100 heads at 50 heads per deck
A triple deck design of a 2 X 1 X 0.5 meters by 3 levels with side Mobile Ranging houses using pvc pipes, laminated sacks and
extensions for heaters. Capacity 150 heads G.I. pipes as footing and frame support. 3 X 2 X 1 meters
A farmers simple design of Movable Ranging house for 100 heads FENCING MATERIALS FOR THE RANGING AREA
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Typical brooding of day old chicks with charcoal heaters An improved system of brooding that utilizes a
Brooding cage
50 Lively chicks with an incandescent 50 watts heater light bulb. The Author examining a good harvest, birds at 29 days weighing
With simple but complete feeding and watering equipments. 900 gms. At 100% livability and 85% uniformity
No water medication
Using Beddings of cut grasses. Take note of the uniform size and quality. Shaded areas for ranging improves weight gain by 10-15%
Complete feeders and waterers are important, to get excellent results
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1. Day old chick (DOC)—Refers to the hatched certified Superior F1 Genetics chicks that were hatched
with-in the last 24 hours.
2. Price of day-old chicks—this is dependent on the following:
A) Volume of DOC ordered
B) The place of delivery (proximity) ,additional air-freight or
travel costs
C) The regularity of placement of orders or Pre-bookings
D) The type of operation you are doing e.g. dealer, poultry
store, institutions (restaurants, hotels), regular grower
or first timer (newcomer).
3. Pricing reference standard of 40 pesos per chick as a parameter
4. Feed prices are also dependent on the area of the farm, the volume of feeds you will purchase and
the type of operation you will perform.
5. Pricing reference standard for feeds are the following: (Estimated)
A) Chick booster starter— 27 pesos per kilo
B) Chick starter— 25 pesos per kilo
C) Chick grower / Finisher— 24 pesos per kilo
D) Corn Grits—20 pesos per kilo
6. Medications are placed at a standard of 1 peso per bird—The medications are mostly herbal.
7. Sanitation cost is approximately 1 peso per bird
8. Brooding costs refers to the heating maintenance costs from age day-old to 21 days old. Depending
on the weather, farm location and season of the year.
9. Housing & equipment amortization is placed at 4 years.
PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES (THESE ARE ESTIMATES AND YOUR RESULTS WILL BE HIGHLY
DEPENDENT ON THE FEEDING SYSTEM, FEED QUALITY AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM UTILIZED)
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28 550 GRAMS 47 GRAMS 1.25
35 750 GRAMS 62 GRAMS 1.24
42 1010 GRAMS 70 GRAMS 1.52
49 1350 GRAMS 83 GRAMS 1.88
56 1.650 GRAMS 100 GRAMS 2.20 –2.35
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Introduction
From 1991 up to 1997, my common practice as a veterinarian in alleviating diseases in poultry
production was thru antibiotics, chemicals and disinfection. The excessive use of antibiotics has lead to
resistance as a common result thus the use of more powerful of more destructive antibiotics was next
“immediate” solution. This has led to “drugged” livestock that has direct effect to consumers. However,
in 1998 after getting into the practice of Free-range chicken production I saw an alternative approach to
a more productive livestock without the excessive use of chemicals. This has lead me to a more holistic
and preventive approach to livestock especially in Free-range Chicken production.
There are (4) four important foundations in Free-range production that must be met before you can
approach a holistic and preventive management system in Free-range chicken.
1. Source of Genetics or F1 – You must be sure of the source of your F1 day –old chicks the breeder
source must be also be practicing a holistic and preventive management approach to producing
High Quality day old chicks, If the Breeder source has questionable management system, then,
you will have problems later on and making your project less successful. A good and healthy
genetic source assures you of complete and well developed immune system all through-out the
production cycle. Even in extreme disease pressure, your chickens has a better livability and
recovery compared to sub-standard day-old chicks .
2. Good quality source of Feeds - There is no question that a good quality feeds can provide you a
good quality produce. In addition, a complete feed meal can provide the much needed vitamins
and minerals to sustain a good immune and body organ functions. Since quality meat produce is
the utmost priority, hence quality inputs is a must. Also included here are the fruits, vegetable
and herbal supplements that we provide as add-ons to the standards feeding management that
we provide the birds.
3. Good pasture / ranging area management – This is one foundation that are is taken with least
importance. How ironic it will be but the main platform or free-range chicken production is a
good ranging area. The quality of meat and good production results are based also in a good
quality pasture area. There are points that must be considered in gauging a good ranging area.
In cases of limited ranging areas, rehabilitation of the pasture must also be practiced religiously
to prevent “pasture fatigue” or hyper acidic soil to occur that can result into high level of
pathogenic micro-organisms in the soil.
4. Good Farming Management system – Good quality feeds, poultry pasture management and
free-range poultry management systems are three foundations where-in the farmer can
influence the best possible outcome of the free-range production, In particular, a good farming
management system must be simple, economical and practical yet it must not compromise the
quality of production. Included in this foundation are the following; correct labour, equipments,
procedure or methodology and Common sense.
These four foundations go hand in hand to create a holistic and preventive management approach to a
healthier flock.
Points on vaccination:
The use of vaccine is an acceptable practice in free-range production this is very important if you are
gearing into a semi commercial scale of production. As of the moment, the most common vaccine that is
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needed in free-range chicken production is New Castle Diseases vaccine of NCD.
The use of vaccines must be highly considered due to the following reasons:
1. Vaccines helps in protecting your flock from the common viral infection that is present in the
locality.
2. Vaccines also protect your flock from outbreaks from unvaccinated birds in the neighbourhood.
3. Vaccination is a community responsibility it is best that you help other farmers on the
importance of vaccination.
4. A properly vaccinated bird also reduces the risk of secondary bacterial infection to occur.
5. Lastly, vaccination is a Bio-security requirement to prevent your investment from the high risks
of disease outbreaks.
Common diseases encountered in free-range production
ASSUMPTIONS
1. The recommended market price of live weight of Free-range chickens manila based =
130 pesos
2. All management practices and procedures must be based on the basic grow-out of free-range
chicken
3. No antibiotic (only if nesceassary) must be used 20 days prior to the slaughter of the animals or as
recommended by the Veterinary specialist.
4. Market reference is based on the pro-health consumer clients and organic organizations /
institutions
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5. Dressing percentage is 70 % Which means that a 1.6 kilo live will yield a 1.1 kilo dressed chicken.
Inclusive of Gizzard, heart and liver.
PROFITABILITY
LESS
COST TO PRODUCE PESOS 14,037
FIXED COSTS NOTE: THESE ARE ESTIMATES AND SERVES AS GUIDES ONLY
HOUSING AND EQUIPMENTS
ITEM SPECIFICATIONS UNITS UNIT PRICE SUBTOTAL
1 BROODING PEN 2 x 2 METERS 1500 1500
2 FREE-RANGE MOBILE HOUSE 2 x 4 METERS 1 4000 4000
3 LIGHTING 1x18 WATTS CFL 1 120 120
4 Chick FEEDER TROUGH 1 METER 4 35 120
5 CHICK GALLONERS 1 MEDIUM 4 30 120
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6 TUBE FEEDERS 5 KILOS 4 155 620
7 BASIN WITH GUARD 1 SET 8 80 640
OPTONAL INCANDESCENT
BULB HEATER
50 WATT INC. BULB 2 PCS 2 45 90
WIRING AND RECEPTACLE 1 SET 2 100 200
OTHER EQUIPMENTS
8660
AMORTIZATION FOR 1 YEAR OR 5 GROWS DIVIDED BY 5
OPERATIONAL COSTS NOTE: THESE ARE ESTIMATES AND SERVES AS GUIDES ONLY
HERBAL MEDICINE
HEATING EQUIPMENT
3 POWDERED MILK CAN 2 KILO CAPACITY 3 20 60
4 CHARCOAL PER SACK 1 450 450
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12,305
BROODING
BROODING
HAPPY RANGING! COPY RIGHT: DR. ERWIN J.S. CRUZ, D.V.M.
CENTER
FARM ENTRANCE
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