Analysis of Black Chicken Chick Prices and Farming Prospects
Black chicken is one of several local chicken groups raised by free-range farmers in mountainous areas. It has the characteristics of high egg production, strong nourishing properties, delicious taste, strong disease resistance, easy rearing, and bright feather color, and is deeply loved by farmers. So how much do black chicken chicks cost? Are there prospects for farming them?
I. How much do black chicken chicks cost?
1. Prices of black chicken chicks
According to changes in market conditions, the price of black chicken chicks varies greatly at different times. The recent price of black chicken chicks is 2.40 yuan per bird, and the price of adult chickens is 9 yuan per kilogram. The daily supply of chicks sells out completely, while adult chickens are often in short supply due to relatively limited availability.
2. Selecting black chicken chicks
Influenced by popular consumer views, many believe that free-range native chickens in rural areas are the most authentic. Therefore, when selecting chicks, farmers choose to purchase eggs in rural areas or the countryside for hatching. However, this method of selecting chicks cannot guarantee the hatch rate, so there are still techniques for selecting black chicken chicks. The most direct point is that when selecting chicks, attention should be paid to uniformity and the chicks' mental state. Healthy chicks should have large, bright eyes, loud chirping, and a well-healed navel; when held in the hand, they should feel soft, struggle strongly, and stand steadily.
II. Are there prospects for black chicken farming?
1. Farming prospects for black chickens
Black chickens can generally be raised under semi-grazing conditions and brought to market at 170-180 days of age, with an average body weight of 1.5-1.6 kg, a survival rate of 83.5%, and a feed-to-weight ratio of 6.1:1. After calculation, the farming cost of black chickens is 29-30 yuan per kg, while the retail market price in recent years has been 55-59 yuan per kg, so the farming benefits are still relatively significant, and there are certain farming prospects.
2. What black chicken breeds are there?
The more famous black chicken breeds include Hotan black chicken and Huangshan black chicken.
(1) Hotan black chicken
The main producing areas of Hotan black chicken are Niya Township and Sawuzek Township in Minfeng County, and Hanggui Township, Luopu Town, and Qarbak Township in Luopu County, all in the Hotan region. There is also a certain distribution in Yutian County, Qira County, Hotan City, and Moyu County.
In terms of reproductive performance, the age at first egg for Hotan black chicken is 150-180 d, with an average annual egg production of 150-170 eggs, an average egg weight of 45.59±2.72 g, a fertile rate of breeding eggs of 92%, a hatchability rate of 92% under natural brooding by hens, and over 93% under artificial incubation. They show broodiness in all four seasons.
(2) Huangshan black chicken
Huangshan black chicken is a dual-purpose black-feathered chicken genetic resource for both eggs and meat. It is mainly distributed in Huangshan City at the southernmost tip of Anhui Province, with its main producing area in Kecun Township, Yixian County, Huangshan City. Huangshan black chicken has the characteristics of strong nourishing properties, delicious taste, strong disease resistance, easy rearing, and bright feather color. It is deeply loved by local farmers and has become one of the main groups of free-range chickens raised by local farming households. Huangshan black chicken has relatively high egg production, laying 150-180 eggs per year, with pink eggshells.
Warm reminder: Insects, grass seeds, corn, rice, and other foods in rural areas are the best environment and abundant natural feed for black chickens to reproduce. When raising black chickens, you can selectively add them.