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Orchard raising chicken attention issues
In recent years, with the acceleration of forestry reform, an increasing number of farmers have begun to utilize forest land for raising chickens. This integrated approach allows chickens to provide organic fertilizer for trees while feeding on pests, and in return, the trees offer a suitable environment for the chickens to thrive. This harmonious integration of planting and breeding leads to a "win-win" situation. However, to ensure success, several key factors must be carefully considered.
First, orchard selection plays a crucial role in this system. The model is not overly strict when it comes to the type of orchard, making economic forests such as pear orchards, citrus groves, vineyards, or timber plantations ideal candidates. It's important to avoid young fruit trees or short-statured orchards like dwarf trees, as chickens are active and tend to jump around, which may hinder tree growth. To support the chickens, it’s beneficial to intercrop the area with grasses, vegetables, or white clover, providing them with additional food sources.
Second, choosing the right chicken breed is essential. Since the management conditions are relatively low, the selected breed should be hardy, able to adapt to rough feeding, and resistant to diseases. Local heritage breeds are typically the best choice, followed by local hybrids. Commercial broilers are generally unsuitable due to their high feed requirements and lower resilience.
Third, determining the appropriate farming scale is vital. Free-range grazing is central to this model, so the number of chickens per mu (about 667 square meters) should be carefully calculated. A general guideline is to raise around 50 chickens per mu. Too many can complicate tree maintenance and lead to waste accumulation, causing pollution. Too few, on the other hand, reduces land use efficiency and economic returns.
Fourth, setting up proper facilities is necessary for successful implementation. A chicken house is needed for shelter during the night or bad weather. It should be located on a well-drained, sunny slope. The density inside the house can be slightly higher, with about 5-8 square meters per 100 chickens. Feeding equipment, such as troughs, should be sufficient to prevent competition among chickens—around five 1-meter-long troughs per 100 birds. Drinking stations should be placed throughout the area, or natural water sources like ponds can be used if available. A fence or netting around the orchard helps manage the flock effectively.
Finally, feeding and management practices require attention. Chicks should be raised for the first week at a temperature of 32-35°C, gradually decreasing each week until they are ready for free-range grazing. Ventilation is critical to maintain air quality and prevent harmful gases. During the brooding period, nutrition should be balanced, and feed amounts can be reduced by 10-40% once chickens start grazing. Vitamin supplements may also be adjusted accordingly. Protective measures are essential to keep out predators like rats, foxes, and snakes. Additionally, when pesticides are applied to trees, chickens should be temporarily moved indoors to avoid poisoning.
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Orchard raising chicken attention issues