Raising native chickens under a grape trellis: how this farmer does it
At 4:30 p.m. on July 25, this reporter accompanied staff from the Yongfu County Aquatic Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau of Guangxi to the Baiquanxiang Native Chicken Professional Cooperative in Yongfu County to investigate ecological native chicken farming. Driving along the winding path, the mountain grapes covering the hills and fields were refreshing, easing the group's fear of the 38°C outdoor heat. After getting out of the car, the fresh air and the heat wave came at us together, surrounding us and giving an indescribable feeling.
“Look, this whole hilltop is mine.” Huang Xueli, head of the cooperative, pointed to the hilltop higher up, unable to hide a trace of pride. Looking around, the grape trellises all over the mountain were hung with green mountain grapes, and beneath the trellises, flocks of native chickens foraged, frolicked and rested freely. Mixed in with the flock were two turkeys, which ambled leisurely back and forth in front of the camera, waiting to be photographed.
Huang Xueli began raising chickens when he was young, and it has now been nearly 30 years. “However, this current chicken farm was established in 2009, including a broiler farm and a breeding stock hatchery. The mountain grapes around here were only planted in the past two years.” Huang Xueli explained that one reason for planting mountain grapes was to consume the chicken manure, forming a planting-breeding cycle and reducing environmental pollution. The second reason was personal interest. “This broiler farm has more than 10,000 chickens, and the organic fertilizer produced is just enough to supply the grape planting. The wine made from these grapes tastes especially good. Last year a company even used the wine I made to entertain guests, and when the guests left they all came looking for me to buy some, wanting to take a few jars home to drink.”
The reporter learned that the location of the Baiquanxiang Cooperative is in Yongfu's selenium-rich area, where the soil selenium content is very high, which also greatly increases the value of the cooperative's native chickens. “Free-range native chickens get a lot of exercise in the wild and have long fed on insects, grass and grit, so the meat grows tender, with a melt-in-the-mouth feel, and the soup is clear rather than cloudy, refreshing to the heart. Because they have long been raised on selenium-rich land, the selenium content in both the meat and eggs reaches more than 0.3 mg per kg, making them standard selenium-rich products.” Speaking of his products, Huang Xueli talked freely. “This kind of native chicken weighs only 2.5 jin at market weight, and can sell for 25 yuan per jin on the market.”
Huang Xueli, who became wealthy through farming, has not forgotten his neighbors, and he passed on his farming techniques and experience without reservation. At present, more than 20 farming households cooperate with the cooperative. “The breeding farm has 5,000 hens in stock and produces 200,000 hen chicks a year. We provide chicks, feed and technical services to the farming households, and then are responsible for buying the chickens back when they are ready for market. The net profit for each chicken for the farming households is 5 yuan to 8 yuan.”
In conversation, the reporter found that Huang Xueli attaches great importance to learning and loves to study deeply. He has already mastered winemaking technology and is preparing to continue his “advanced studies” in this direction. “I plan to open a small winery myself, slowly build up a brand, and do my part for ecological agriculture and circular animal husbandry.”