Key Technical Points and Management Methods for Raising Chickens in Orchards

Abstract:For raising chickens in orchards, local chickens are the most suitable choice, because they adapt to the local environment and have stronger disease resistance. A stocking density of about 25 chickens per mu is sufficient. Build one chicken coop every 15 to 20 mu, with the coop about 50 sq m, and it should be equipped with automatic drinking devices. The coop site should be convenient for the chickens' daily activities and egg laying. To prevent the chickens from being disturbed, a fence also needs to be set up around the chickens' activity area. Normally, when fertilizing and spraying fruit trees, the chickens must be strictly isolated to prevent pesticide poisoning in the chickens.

1. Chick selection

For raising chickens in orchards, generally choosing local chicken breeds is sufficient, because local chickens have strong adaptability to the local environment, are easier to raise, and are also easier to sell when they reach market size.

2. Stocking density

When raising chickens in orchards, we must first make a preliminary plan based on the orchard's terrain and environmental conditions, that is, calculate the number to raise according to the orchard's area. Generally, about 25 chickens are raised per mu. It is recommended to build 1 chicken coop every 15 to 20 mu of land. The coop area should not be too large or too small; about 50 sq m is sufficient. This size can accommodate 500 chickens without a problem, but the construction of this coop must be scientific.

First, the best location for building the coop is where the surroundings are relatively open and suitable for the chickens' activities in the orchard. The weeds nearby should not be too many, nor too few, so that it is convenient for the chickens to lay eggs and for us to collect them.

Second, we should equip it with facilities such as automatic drinking devices, and ventilation measures must be done well.

Third, the chickens should not be released too early. If released too early, because the climate is cold, some chicks still do not have very good resistance and may be difficult to keep alive. Therefore, before the sun sets, we should drive the chickens back to the coop.

3. Protective fencing

For the orchard's protective net, it is best to use fencing made of iron or steel materials. Set up another layer of protective net around the chickens' activity area to prevent some natural enemies of chickens from disturbing the flock, and also to prevent the chickens from running out of the activity area. The most suitable height for the chicken flock fence is 2 to 3 m.

4. Disease prevention and control

Because orchards have many fruit trees and vegetables, various pesticides are often used to prevent and control pests and diseases. Since pesticides are highly toxic, the chickens will suffer pesticide poisoning if slightly careless. Therefore, when fertilizing and spraying the orchard, it is best to shut the chickens in the coop, and only release them after the spraying work has been completed for at least 3 days.

In addition to the harm of pesticides, the disease prevention procedures for the chickens themselves must also be strictly carried out on time, without any slack. The chicken coop must be disinfected regularly. If any chicken is found to have symptoms, isolate and treat it immediately to avoid large-scale cross-infection.