Technical Points and Methods for Raising Free-Range Chickens Under Forest Canopies

Woodland Selection The woodland for raising free-range chickens should be spacious and open, with a certain slope, but not too steep, with lush grass, convenient transportation, and access to drinking water for the chickens. The stocking density per mu of land should not exceed 100 birds.

Chicken Coop Construction The chicken coop should be built close to the grazing area, preferably maintaining a distance of several dozen meters in between. Build 1 coop for each flock of chickens, with 1 coop close to a grazing area. Try not to mix them together. Inside the coop, perches should be constructed; the brooding house should have a 3-meter-high movable board house, and the hen house should have laying nests or laying boxes.

Breed Selection The selection of chicken breeds should be based on local free-range chickens or improved breeds containing local chicken bloodlines. At least they should show free-range chicken characteristics in appearance. When raising free-range chickens under forest canopies, roosters and hens must be raised separately; never raise roosters and hens together. The raising period for roosters is about half a year, and the raising period for hens is more than half a year.

Feeding Management   Do a good job of disinfection and epidemic prevention. One week before the chicks arrive, clean the floor of the brooding house thoroughly, and use Baidusha or caustic soda to carry out comprehensive disinfection of the brooding house. During brooding, attention should be paid to diet. Three hours after the chicks enter the coop, start feeding them; the feeding amount is 6-8 times/day. After two weeks, reduce it to 3 times/day, and ensure that the feed can be finished every day. Control the stocking density. For chicks within 2 weeks of age, ensure a density of 50-70 birds/square meter; at 3-5 weeks of age, control the density at 30 birds/square meter, which can be adjusted according to season, climate, and other factors. Strengthen temperature control. After the chicks enter the coop, strictly control the coop temperature to avoid sudden rises and falls. Reasonable lighting. Within 3 days of age, chicks should receive 24 hours of light, which helps the chicks grow quickly and improves the survival rate. Within 7 days of age, ensure 18 hours/day of light. After one week, natural lighting can be used.

The best grazing period is from April to October, because at this time insects and grass are abundant, and enough natural feed can be consumed. Transfer to greenhouse raising at the appropriate time. When the chicks have been raised for about 30 days, that is, when they weigh about 1 jin, begin transferring them to greenhouse raising. Start adapting them to field grazing. At the beginning, the grazing time should be shorter, then gradually extended, and the range should also go from near to far, gradually expanding the range so that the flock adapts to free-range raising. Build some simple shade shelters, and place drinkers at the same time. The purpose is to help the flock shade themselves, rest, drink water, and so on under harsh weather conditions such as high temperatures and storms, reducing losses to the flock caused by unexpected situations. Fifth, strictly control the range of free-range raising; the density should not be too high. Use wire mesh to separate the free-range areas. During the grazing period, increase the frequency of inspections to prevent chickens from escaping, which can effectively improve feed utilization.

Pay attention to a balanced nutritional configuration for the flock. During the chick stage, because their growth rate is relatively fast and closely related to later growth, feed should be provided at the appropriate time, supplying complete broiler feed. Later, after transitioning to grazing, begin reducing the number of feedings, transitioning from three times to one time.

Pay attention to the prevention of feather pecking disorder and fowl pox in the flock. You may choose to debeak the free-range chickens at 10-20 days of age. The method is to cut off 1/2 of the tip of the upper beak, and cut off the sharp front tip of the lower beak. This can effectively prevent the occurrence of feather pecking disorder. Once individuals with severe feather pecking habits are found, a second debeaking and trimming can be carried out. In summer, especially in summer and autumn, there are many mosquitoes, and the flock is prone to fowl pox, so prevention should be carried out in advance.