CHARACTERISTICS OF NATURAL CHICKEN.
● Resistant to diseases, but it is important to be protected from chicken diseases such as downy mildew, chicken pox, etc. in order to be able to develop them.
● They are able to find food for themselves on the ground, but in order to develop them, it is necessary to provide them with additional food.
● They have the ability to lay eggs, hatch, raise chicks and tolerate harsh environments (drought, cold etc.)
● Its meat and eggs have a better taste than modern chickens, so they are more expensive.
● To some extent they are able to protect themselves from enemies such as hawks.
BENEFITS OF NATURAL POULTRY FARMING.
● Food– organic chicken meat and eggs serve as important human food containing protein.
● Source of income– the farmer earns money by selling chickens and eggs.
● Source of employment– poultry farming provides employment to the community.
● Native chicken is used in marriage activities such as giving dowry and also an important seasoning in ceremonies.
● The costs of setting up and running this project.
● It is an easier and lighter stew for guests than large animals like cows or goats.There is a certain market compared to modern chickens because its meat and eggs are more loved by consumers.
NATURAL POULTRY FARMING SYSTEMS ( LOCAL )
There are three traditional chicken farming systems used in Tanzania.
The systems are:
● Free feeding.
● Semi-free breeding.
● Domestic breeding.
FREE BREEDING.
Chickens are left to fend for themselves for food and water. This method is mostly used to breed local chickens. Rarely does the breeder give the chickens extra food. For this breeding, there must be a large enough area for the chickens to move around and find food for themselves.
ADVANTAGES OF FREE BREEDING.
● It is a simple breeding method.
● Its costs are also low.
● Chickens get enough exercise.
● The chickens get a mixed feed that is healthy.Disadvantages of free range farming.
● Chickens are at risk of being stolen or damaged by wild animals and bad weather.
● The growth of chickens is weak, reaching a weight of 1.2 kg after a year.
● It is easy to catch diseases.
HALF-IN-HALF-OUTDOOR BREEDING.
This is a farming style where chickens have a shed attached to a fence at the front. Here the chickens can win inside the shed while inside the fence.
● During the day, the chickens are free to roost inside the shed, especially when they want to roost and nesting time or they can stay inside the fence outside.Advantages of breeding half inside half outside.
● Chickens are safe away from predators like hawks etc
● You will be able to feed your chickens well so they will be able to increase egg production, gain weight and grow faster.
● It will be easier for you to control insects and parasites that can bring diseases to your chickens.
● It is easy to separate the chickens into different groups and serve them accordingly.
● It is easier to identify sick chickens than free range.
● Chickens will get enough sunlight and fresh air. During the hot sun they will be free to enter the shed and sit in the shade.
BREEDING INSIDE THE BAND ONLY.
Another way is to raise chickens only in the shed. In this way the chicken stays inside all the time. This breeding method is mostly used by modern chicken breeders. But they can be used even for local chickens, especially in areas where the area is in short supply.Challenges of indoor gardening only.
● You should have enough time to fully care for your chickens.
● You also need to have a lot of capital to build a shed and buy food for them.
● If the disease comes in, it is easy to spread. Also, the chickens start the bad habit of biting each other, etcThe benefits of domestication only.
● It is easy to identify and control diseases.
● It is easy to control the loss of chickens, eggs and chicks.
● It is easy to provide food according to the needs of each group.
WHICH BREEDING IS MOST EFFECTIVE?
● In general, the simplest and preferred method used by the average breeder is half-indoor, half-outdoor, ie half-free. This is due to its benefits as outlined there
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