The cost of raising chickens is dramatically influenced by feed,
which is often cited as the two main cost variable, consuming a
staggering 70% to 75% of the total cost of growing chickens. Given that
commercial sacks of branded feed can cost between Php 1,800 to Php 1,900 for 50
kg, and even pure organic feed costs Php 65 to Php 70 per kilo at the farm
gate, optimizing nutrition using available resources is the ultimate key to
profitability in free-range farming.
Successfully feeding free-range chickens naturally involves
balancing necessary commercial growth formulas with foraging, local crops, and
herbal supplements.
I. The Free-Range Advantage: Foraging and Health
Unlike conventionally raised chickens, which eat one kind of
feed day in and day out, free-range chickens have the freedom to roam
and access a variety of food sources on the farm.
Foraging is a crucial part of the free-range
lifestyle. Chickens follow their natural instincts to search for and consume
food, including grass, weeds, insects, and worms. By allowing chickens
to graze, farmers benefit from:
- Reduced
Expenses: Foraging helps minimize the consumption of expensive
commercial feeds.
- Healthier
Products: The diverse natural diet results in healthier eggs
with reduced cholesterol and fat, and increased levels of omega-3,
Vitamins A and E. Furthermore, the meat is safer because it doesn't
contain antibiotics nor chemicals.
II. Utilizing Local Crops and Farm By-Products
To dramatically reduce the 70% feed expenditure, farmers
employ creative and resourceful feed hacks that leverage local vegetation and
farm waste.
The Power of Plant-Based Substitutes
Free-range chicken feeds should consist of six basic
components: carbohydrates, plant-based protein, fats, minerals, vitamins, and
vegetables. Farmers can replace expensive grain components with abundant local
crops:
- Carbohydrate
Substitutes: Instead of relying solely on corn and rice bran (darak),
cheaper carbohydrate sources include boiled gabi, ube, kamote
(sweet potato), or kahoy (wood/cassava).
- Protein
Sources: Madre de agua leaves are a good source of proteins and
other nutrients. The grass variety Mombasa grass is also considered
high in protein and is good for growing chickens.
- Azolla
(The Super Supplement): Azolla or duckweed can be used as a
protein substitute for darak. Studies suggest that integrating azolla
into the diet increases the number of eggs hatched and improves body
weight gain in broilers. Azolla is also hailed as the best source of
protein and helps reduce mortality due to heat stress.
Integrating Farm Waste and Forage
Farm waste and by-products can be converted into nutritious
feed, contributing to a complementary, closed-loop system:
- Chopped
Greens: Chickens can be fed rejected produce from the market, such as cabbage
and trimmings from vegetable crops. Water spinach (kangkong)
and malunggay are also safe and healthy feed options.
- Grated
By-Products: Farm animals can eat grated coconuts after the
milk has been extracted and waste food from restaurants.
- Snails
and Insects: Chickens actively consume insects and worms while
foraging. Farmers can supplement with golden snails (suso)
which can be ground up and included in homemade feed. Meal worms
(superworms), mixed with dried worms, are also highly nutritious.
III. Homemade Feed Formulation and Cost Savings
For the cost-conscious farmer, formulating homemade feeds
provides control over nutrients and expenditure.
DIY Feed Formulation Example
A traditional homemade chicken feed mixture (resulting in
approximately 30 kg of feed) includes:
- 4
cans yellow corn or binlid
- 1.5
cans darak (rice bran)
- 1
can ground snails (suso)
- 1.5
cans copra oil meal
- 0.5
can mongo or soy bean seeds
- 0.5
can dried ipil-ipil leaves
- 1
tablespoon salt
- 1
handful lime (apog)
By creating this mixture, the cost for 30 kg can be around Php
600, significantly cheaper than a 50 kg branded sack costing up to Php
1,900. If the feed gets wet, the amount administered must be doubled.
Enhancing Immunity with Herbal Supplements
To ensure the chickens remain antibiotic-free and natural,
free-range management relies on herbal medicines for preventive care:
- Natural
Antibiotics: Garlic and red chili (sili) serve as
natural antibiotics.
- Respiratory
Care: Oregano is used for respiratory problems.
- Detoxification/Deworming:
Lemon grass acts as a detoxification agent, while ipil-ipil
leaves are used as a natural dewormer/purge.
- OHN
Concoctions: Farmers also use Oriental Herbal Nutrients (OHN),
which include organic concoctions of fermented amino acid, fermented plant
juice, or fermented vegetables/spices, administered in the drinking water.
IV. Supplements for Quality and Health
Specific supplements are vital for improving egg quality and
overall robustness.
- Calcium
and Grit: To prevent thin-shelled eggs, hens must be given calcium
or grits to strengthen the shell of the egg. Sources include
ground snails (suso) and lime (apog). The banana
trunk is also cited as being rich in calcium, Vitamin C, potassium,
and molasses.
- Yolk
Color: To achieve the desirable yellow and orange yolks, a diet
rich in vegetables and greens is necessary. Marigold, cosmos,
buto-butones, and the peelings of carrots, dragon fruit, and
tomatoes are natural enhancers.
V. Feeding Schedule and Management Tips
Simple, consistent management ensures that chickens fully
utilize their feed and environment.
- Timing:
Chickens should be fed in the morning and afternoon.
- Water
Management: Access to clean water is non-negotiable. Water is
especially important on hot days and must be changed twice a day
(morning and afternoon).
- Feeder
Placement: Feeders should be hung. Hanging feeders serves two
purposes: minimizing expenses by preventing waste, and ensuring the
food is clean, thus minimizing the risk of disease.
- Bantam
Care: Small breeds, like the Bantam chicken, require specialized
feeding; they should be fed a pellet ready-soaked with water
because their throats are not large enough to swallow dry pellets.
- Age-Appropriate
Feeds: Follow the feed stage guidelines closely for optimal growth:
Chick Booster (1–21 days), Chick Starter (21–49 days), and Broiler Finish
or Corn (50–84 days).
By adopting these natural feeding strategies—combining
structured commercial feed with prolific foraging, farm waste utilization, and
herbal care—free-range farmers not only produce a healthier, antibiotic-free
product but also significantly reduce the 70% cost burden associated with
commercial feeds, leading to higher sustainable profits.
