Key Technical Points for the Feeding and Management of Free-Range Chickens

Ecological chickens are raised in a forest ecological environment, using native chickens as the breeding stock, combining housing with woodland free-range rearing, mainly allowing them to freely feed on insects and weeds in the woods, supplemented by artificial feeding of organic feed, breathing the forest air, and drinking unpolluted river water from the mountains, to produce natural, high-quality market chickens. The author summarizes the breeding experience of recent years as follows. 
    (1) Choosing a good site is the key   Ecological chicken farming is carried out under forest environmental conditions, so the chicken farm should choose natural woodland. Generally, natural secondary forest is better than primary forest, broadleaf forest is better than coniferous forest, and natural forest is better than plantation forest. If conditions permit, choose mixed broadleaf-conifer forest. It is required that there be no major pollution sources within a 30 km radius around the chicken coop, and the terrain should preferably be a slope of about 5°, sheltered from the wind and facing the sun, with sufficient water sources and convenient water access; it is best if high-voltage power lines pass through the chicken farm. Design standards for the size of the chicken coop and exercise yard: the brooding and warming coop is calculated at 10 sq m per 1000 chickens, and the exercise yard is calculated at 1 sq m per chicken; the exercise yard is best enclosed with fencing and plastic netting. 
    (2) Choosing good ecological chicken breeds   Generally, meat-type chicken breeds, dual-purpose chicken breeds, male chicks of layer-type chicken breeds, and rural native chickens can all be used as ecological meat chicken breeds, with dual-purpose breeds being the best. Currently, judging from the breeding situation at the Suihua Agricultural Reclamation Sub-bureau in Heilongjiang Province, the Palace Yellow Chicken is the preferred superior breed. 
    (3) Choosing a good brooding time   The raising of ecological chickens must select an appropriate brooding season to facilitate free-range rearing of ecological chickens. It is best to choose March to May for brooding. In spring, the temperature gradually rises and there is plenty of sunlight, which is favorable for the growth and development of chicks, and the brooding survival rate is high. By the middle chicken stage, because the temperature is suitable and the time spent moving outside the coop is long, they can get sufficient exercise and training, so their physique is strong, which is very beneficial for later natural grazing and feeding and for preventing natural enemies. Spring chicks mature sexually early and have a long laying duration, especially chicks hatched in early spring, so spring brooding is mostly chosen. 
    (4) Do a good job of enclosure training   After the chicks are raised indoors for 3 weeks and their body weight reaches more than 130 grams, switch to free-range rearing in the yard, and train them to come for food when they hear a sound. After a certain period of training, the chicks will come back to eat when they hear this sound. Plant forage grass in divided areas of the yard or use forage to train the chicks to feed freely. After more than 3 weeks of training, the chicks have enhanced their ability to catch food and increased their ability to prevent natural enemies, which creates conditions for free-range rearing. 
    (5) Manage free-range rearing well to ensure safety   After more than 3 weeks of feeding in the yard, the chicks generally reach a body weight of more than 0.3 kg and meet the conditions for free-range rearing. At this time, they can be released into the woods, by the reservoir, and in the meadows. The chicks catch insects, eat grass seeds and tender grass, and move freely in the vast fields. This period lasts as long as 15 weeks. In terms of supplementary feeding, it can be gradually reduced from 5 times a day under yard rearing to 2 times. When feeding twice a day, feed a little less when releasing them in the morning and more when they return in the evening. During the free-range rearing process, safety precautions must be taken well to prevent harm from natural enemies. The main natural enemies are eagles, weasels, and wildcats. They use the natural woods as cover and may catch chickens at any time. In recent years, according to chicken farm statistics, among the 1% natural loss rate, the damage to middle chickens from natural enemies after free-range release can reach more than 60%. At this stage, the chickens have reached a body weight of 0.5-1 kg, and the loss of 1 chicken is equivalent to a loss of more than 20 yuan. Therefore, during the free-range rearing period, ensuring safety and improving the survival rate of chickens is very critical. The following 3 methods can be used to prevent natural enemies: train domestic dogs well to drive away nearby rats and weasels, use firecrackers to drive away eagle attacks, and use nylon netting to enclose the grazing area well; this method is relatively practical and feasible. 
    (6) Good specific feed must be selected   From the perspective of the breeding characteristics of ecological chickens, feed and forage are divided into two parts. One part is artificial feed, and the other part is natural feed. (1) Artificial feed. The feed for feeding ecological chickens must be organic feed. For this reason, when growing ecological chicken feed and feed ingredients, they must be cultivated according to organic food requirements. The animal-based feed used for artificial supplementary feeding must also be implemented according to the standards for producing organic food. In the process of producing artificial feed, it is strictly forbidden to add various chemical substances to ensure the quality of ecological chickens. (2) Natural feed. The quality of natural feed depends on the natural environment. It mainly includes natural forage, mature seeds, and various natural insects, etc. Only when the natural feed for ecological chickens is sufficient and nutritionally complete can high-nutrition, highly nourishing, high-quality products be produced. 
    (7) Do a good job of epidemic prevention and disease control   During the growth process, ecological chickens come into extensive contact with the outside world such as woodland and beach land, and may be threatened by infectious factors at any time. In addition, the growth period of ecological chickens is relatively long, generally requiring 4-5 months before being ready for market. To take preventive measures, chickens must be vaccinated systematically to obtain strong immunity.