A Detailed Explanation of Insect Chicken Breeding Methods and Techniques

Insect chickens are becoming increasingly popular in the market now, because the nutritional content of insect chickens is much higher than that of chickens that regularly eat feed, and they are more beneficial to human health. In fact, there is no essential difference between insect chickens and ordinary chickens; it is just that the rearing methods and feed and other factors are different. So why is the meat of insect chickens better in taste and flavor? To a large extent it is still related to rearing. So today let us follow Qinnong Network to learn how to raise insect chickens.

1. Selecting Breeding Chickens

If you want to raise insect chickens well, then the selection of breeding chickens is the most basic lesson. Although all chickens can become insect chickens through the insect chicken rearing method, not all of them can be raised well, so we should choose chicks with bright and glossy feathers, relatively uniform size, and that are agile and robust. Next, when selecting chicks, try not to choose those from inbreeding, as this will affect the later egg production rate and the survival rate of the chicks. Finally, if the hen that laid the chicks originally had a high egg production rate, such chicks will also have a certain hereditary quality, so they will be better.

2. Site Construction

For the insect chicken breeding site, we can use a three-dimensional breeding method for construction, because usually they only go to rest at night, so the resting area should adopt a three-dimensional model, which can save a certain amount of cost. Next, we should set up fences around the breeding site to prevent the insect chickens from escaping. At the same time, the breeding site needs areas specifically for the insect chickens to eat, drink, walk, exercise, and bask in the sun, and all facilities in the breeding site and other aspects must be fully prepared. After the site is built, it needs to be disinfected, and only after it has been thoroughly disinfected can the chicks be placed into the breeding site.

3. Feeding Methods

The feeding method generally adopts a combination of confined rearing and free-range rearing, which is beneficial to the physical and mental health of the insect chickens. Feeding needs to be carried out in three stages. For chicks, we basically use confined rearing, feeding several times a day, with no need for too much each time. The main method is to dry the insects, grind them into powder, and mix in an appropriate amount of green vegetables and pasture grass for feeding. When the chicks gradually grow up, then we can directly put in the insects without crushing them. For adult insect chickens, we can implement a semi-free-range model, letting them find food on their own while also putting in insects, green vegetables, and processed insect feed at irregular intervals. For insect chickens that have entered the laying period, we generally need to control their food intake, otherwise it will affect the egg production rate. Usually, the amount is reduced by 8 percent on the basis of the original feeding, and then gradually adjusted back during production.

4. Feeding Management

Feeding management generally refers to the management of the environment in the breeding site and some other matters. We should clean up the manure and food residues in the breeding site at irregular intervals and carry out disinfection, so as to prevent the insect chickens from being infected with diseases. Next, adult roosters and hens should be raised separately, otherwise it will cause chaotic sexual behavior and affect the egg production rate and the reproduction of offspring. During the chick stage, we should use fluorescent lighting, which can maintain the indoor temperature. Finally, the breeding density also needs great attention, otherwise excessive crowding will lead to deaths from being stepped on and crushed, so they should be managed in groups at different growth stages.

5. Common Misconceptions in Breeding

There are still major misconceptions about raising insect chickens at present. Many people think that insect chickens must be fed fresh, live insects so that they will grow better. In fact, this is not the case, because many live insects carry parasites, which not only is not good for the growth and development of insect chickens, but also can cause disease. Next, many people also think that insect chickens must only eat insects, which is also incorrect. We must ensure their nutritional balance, so it is still necessary to feed an appropriate amount of vegetables and miscellaneous grains and the like.