A Detailed Guide to Gamecock Farming Techniques: Scientific Feeding and Management Methods
The gamecock is an ancient and rare chicken breed in our country. It has a mighty and robust appearance and is naturally combative. It is a unique rare poultry breed of our country and now often appears in some tourism projects. At present, the gamecock population kept in our country is very small, and it is a relatively niche farming breed. So what are the farming techniques for gamecocks?
I. Selection of Gamecock Breeds
Selection of gamecock breeds. The gamecock is also called the biting chicken, fighting chicken and military chicken, and belongs to the ornamental chicken type. In the traditional gamecock farming of Qiandongnan, where gamecock farming is relatively common, most people choose to raise the offspring of gamecock breeds that have performed well in local gamecock competitions. Some farmers choose to introduce “Guizi chickens” from Guangxi and Vietnam for raising.
II. Construction of Gamecock Coops
If raising them for entertainment, generally only 3-5 birds need to be kept. The coop can be large or small. Choose a roof balcony or an area in front of or behind the house that is sheltered from the wind and faces the sun. Design it at 1 sq m per chicken, with one coop per chicken, about 1 m high.
The coop can be nailed together entirely from wooden strips and bamboo slats, or a brick and tile structure can be used, but it must be well ventilated and allow good light. The floor is best covered with sand or rice husks to help keep the coop hygienic. Sand also helps sharpen the chickens' claws.
The feeding and management methods are also relatively simple. They can be kept in pens, cages or free-range, and are also suitable for large-scale intensive farming.
III. Feeding Gamecocks
Gamecocks have a wide range of food. Grains, fruits and vegetables, and small insects are all acceptable, such as rice, wheat, sorghum, peas and corn. However, peas and corn must be crushed before feeding, otherwise they will be excreted whole.
In addition, farmers can also use Eucommia bark decoction, gastrodia powder and goji berry powder for feeding, which can increase the immunity of gamecocks and improve their fighting ability.
Under normal circumstances, feed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Give a small amount of feed in the morning and a sufficient amount in the evening. It is best to put the gamecocks' food in a dedicated box and hang it on the wall together with the water container, so the chickens can eat freely.
Another thing to note is that when gamecocks are about to compete, nutrition must be strengthened in the week before. Hard-boiled eggs can be fed as egg white, and some lean meat or insects can also be fed.
IV. Disease Prevention for Gamecocks
Gamecocks rarely get sick. Their disease resistance is extremely strong, and preventive measures are usually not needed. However, after a gamecock is injured, erythromycin eye ointment should be applied, or alcohol or iodine tincture should be used for disinfection.
Overall, gamecocks not only have important ornamental and entertainment value, but are also a delicious dish on the table. Gamecock meat has low fat content, a high proportion of lean meat, and is tender and delicate in texture, with a rich gamey flavor. It has the effects of tonifying the kidneys, strengthening yang and nourishing and invigorating the body, making it an ideal health-promoting food in modern times.