What types of free-range chickens are there in rural areas? How to manage autumn and winter?
Rural free-range chickens generally refer to chickens that farmers raise in woodlands or outdoors, rather than large-scale farming. This type of chicken is very firm, has high nutritional value, and is popular in the market because it is a green and healthy food. However, compared with laying hens, the egg production rate of these types of chickens is lower, but the price of native eggs is higher.
一、 What kinds of free-range chickens are there in rural areas?
The common varieties of free-range chickens in rural areas are Sanhuang chicken, Luhua chicken, Silkie chicken, and green shell chicken.
1、Sanhuang chicken is a chicken breed with yellow feathers and toes. The meat is very delicious and delicate, the egg production rate is relatively high, and it has high nutritional value. It is a relatively famous chicken breed among native chickens.
2、Luhua chicken is a representative breed of native chickens. It does not have high requirements for the living environment and is very adaptable. Generally, it eats wild insects and leaves by itself. This type of chicken is very resistant and rarely suffers from disease. It is a low-cholesterol chicken, rich in trace elements and amino acids, and the price is higher than other native chickens.
3、Silkie chicken is a kind of chicken breed with black color in appearance and internal organs. High nutritional value is one of its selling points, and it also has certain medicinal value. Even so, its meaty taste is not bad, and there is a certain room for development in the market.
4、The green-shelled hen is a kind of chicken breed with small size but high egg production rate. The eggs it produces are very nutritious, with large yolks and rich in various nutrients, which are several times that of ordinary eggs.
二、How to manage free-range chickens in autumn and winter?
1、Ensure adequate lighting
In autumn, the days are short, so the light time is also reduced, but if you want to grow well, free-range chickens must ensure sufficient light. According to the past experience of free-range chicken breeding, the impact of light on egg production rate is very large. Only when the light is in place, the egg production rate can be guaranteed.
2、Nutrition must keep up
After laying eggs, hens need to supply certain nutrients, so when raising free-range chickens, in addition to letting them eat by themselves, they also need to be supplemented with nutrients rich in protein, vitamins and trace elements.
Calcium has a great impact on laying eggs in free-range chickens. If the chickens lack calcium, the shells will be soft or there will be no shells.
3、The chicken shed must be well insulated, ventilated and hygienic
Although free-range chickens in rural areas are kept outdoors for a long time, farmers will also build sheds for them to shelter from wind and rain. Generally, they will return to their nests by themselves in the evening.
The chicken shed should pay attention to a layer of straw to keep warm. In order to let it grow healthily and reduce the inhalation of ammonia gas, pay attention to ventilation.
Chickens are prone to outbreaks, so pay attention to the hygiene of the shed, clean up the feces in time, replace the thermal insulation straw, and take disinfection measures on time.
