Raising pigs and chickens in a layered, combined system yields high profits and is worth learning from for farmers.

It is reported that this good method of raising pigs and chickens in a layered, combined system was first promoted and used in rural areas across Shanxi in 1998. Seven years later, this rearing method has been widely promoted in most rural areas of our country and has achieved good economic and social benefits.

According to farmers using the combined pig-chicken system, in a combined pig-chicken house of about 32 sq m, using the raised-bed cage method (upper layer @#@230@#@, lower layer @#@227@#@), the upper layer can raise about 180 to 200 laying hens, and the lower layer can raise 6 to 8 fattening pigs (or 10 to 15 piglets), with the pigs directly pecking at and eating fresh chicken manure. According to expert estimates, this method can not only save 30% of pig feed, save 30% of floor space and reduce construction costs by 50%, but can also produce more than 2500 kg of commercial eggs each year, send 12 to 16 commercial fattening pigs to market in two batches (or raise 20 to 30 piglets into fattening pigs), and make a profit of more than 5000 yuan.

According to breeding experts, chicken manure is a good feed for pigs. Chicken manure contains a certain amount of metabolic products and has very high reuse value. Determinations show that chicken manure contains 21.6% crude protein, 25% crude fat, 10.5% crude fiber, 4% calcium, 1.8% phosphorus, and also contains lysine, cystine, methionine, etc., all of which are higher in content than in cereal feeds such as corn.

Breeding experts say: raising pigs and chickens in the same house in layered, combined systems occupies little space, requires little investment and brings quick results, and is an important channel for farmers to escape poverty and become wealthy.