The critical period determining the success of raising free-range chickens is within the first 7 days after hatching. Food, temperature, and shelter must be well-maintained during this crucial phase.
If these are not properly managed, the chickens will not grow optimally. Brooding or warming management must be carried out with a temperature range of 31-33 degrees Celsius.
Farmers also need to adjust the height of feeding and drinking stations to the chickens’ backs and group the chickens by size for ease.
“The key is to understand the poultry you are raising well. Food, temperature, and feeding schedule must be consistent. You cannot get bored. You must enjoy it, be patient, and disciplined,” said Dr. Heru Sasongko, lecturer at the Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada, during a free lecture titled “Success in Raising Free-Range Chickens,” held on Friday (Sep. 27) in the Faculty of Animal Science Auditorium.
Dr. Sasongko stated that poultry is like a biological machine with general characteristics, including a simple digestive system, a fast metabolism, and a tendency to get stressed easily. Thus, the first week of free-range chickens’ management is crucial to their success.
Regarding feed management for free-range chickens, poultry nutrition expert Dr. Nanung Danar Dono mentioned that free-range chickens are prone to death if feed management is poor. He explained that chickens are often found without water, although drinking water is crucial to keep them eating.
“It would be even better if the water is clean and cool or cold,” he said.
Dr. Dono emphasized that no matter how good the chicks are, their development will not be optimal if the feed lacks proper nutrition. He pointed out that classic symptoms, such as malnutrition, often occur in both laying and broiler free-range chickens.
He also highlighted alternative feed ingredients for free-range chickens that can be processed simply, such as corn, rice bran, cassava flour, fish eyes, maggots, earthworms, golden snails, local fish meal, or coconut cake, complete with their nutritional content. He suggested that these feed ingredients could be good options.
“Farmers can adjust the feed based on the nutritional targets they feel are still lacking in their chickens,” he said.
Dr. Suci Paramitasari Syahlani, a researcher in livestock socio-economic studies, stated that free-range chicken farmers should gain knowledge from upstream to downstream regarding free-range chicken farming, including the marketing process.
The market segment for free-range chickens must be adjusted to motives, geography, lifestyle, and community habits. Nonetheless, the most important factors in the free-range chicken business are government regulations, consumer health, and consumer preferences.
“I think the government needs to provide stimulus through labeling and certification, which will give potential buyers more confidence,” she explained.
She added that poultry farmers should also encourage the creation of marketing communications content that emphasizes the benefits of increasing knowledge about processed free-range chicken products.
“The hope is that there will be added value to processed free-range chicken products thanks to comprehensive information and good copywriting,” concluded Dr. Syahlani.
Author: Bolivia
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photo: Freepik