Native chickens, often called “Ayam Kampung”, are known for their resilience and natural flavor. However, their productivity, especially in egg production and growth, can sometimes be lower compared to commercial breeds. By implementing proper care, feeding, and management strategies, farmers can significantly increase the productivity of native chickens.
Understanding Native Chicken Productivity
1. Egg https://www.aolradioblog.com Production
Native hens generally lay fewer eggs per year than commercial layers.
Productivity depends on nutrition, age, health, and environmental factors.
2. Growth Rate
Native chickens grow slower than broilers, but their meat is preferred for taste.
Enhancing growth requires balanced feed, proper housing, and health management.
3. Behavior and Adaptability
Ayam Kampung are active and free-ranging, which affects feed consumption and growth.
Understanding their natural behavior helps in designing effective productivity strategies.
Feeding Strategies to Boost Productivity
1. Balanced Nutrition
Provide feed with adequate protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals.
Egg-laying hens require 16–18% protein, while growing chicks need 18–22% protein.
2. Natural Supplements
Incorporate greens, insects, and grains to improve health and egg quality.
Herbs like moringa leaves or turmeric can boost immunity.
3. Feeding Schedule
Offer feed 2–3 times per day and ensure constant access to clean water.
Divide feed to prevent competition and stress among birds.
Housing and Environmental Management
1. Adequate Space
Provide 0.5–0.8 m² per adult bird for movement and comfort.
Prevents stress, which can reduce egg laying and growth.
2. Proper Ventilation
Ensure good airflow to reduce heat stress and prevent respiratory diseases.
Use windows, vents, or fans if necessary.
3. Cleanliness
Regularly clean the coop, feeders, and waterers.
Maintain dry bedding to prevent diseases and improve overall productivity.
Health Management
1. Vaccination and Disease Prevention
Vaccinate against Newcastle, Marek’s disease, and fowl pox.
Regular deworming prevents intestinal parasites, which affect growth.
2. Monitoring for Illness
Check daily for lethargy, loss of appetite, or abnormal droppings.
Early treatment reduces mortality and maintains flock productivity.
3. Stress Reduction
Avoid overcrowding and sudden changes in environment.
Reduce noise and disturbances around the coop.
Reproductive Management
1. Selecting Productive Hens
Choose hens with good egg-laying history and healthy body condition.
Replace older or less productive hens gradually.
2. Optimizing Rooster to Hen Ratio
Maintain 1 rooster per 8–12 hens for effective fertilization.
Prevents aggression and ensures good hatchability if breeding.
3. Controlled Lighting
Provide 14–16 hours of light daily for layers to stimulate egg production.
Natural sunlight or artificial lighting can be used depending on the system.
Additional Tips for Productivity
Rotate grazing areas for free-range birds to access fresh feed naturally.
Provide minerals and grit, especially for layers, to aid digestion and shell quality.
Record keeping: Track feed intake, growth, egg production, and health status for better management decisions.
Supplement energy-rich feeds during cold or wet seasons to maintain productivity.
Conclusion
Increasing the productivity of Ayam Kampung requires a combination of proper nutrition, housing, health care, and reproductive management. By implementing these strategies, farmers can improve growth rates, egg production, and overall flock health. Sustainable management practices not only enhance productivity but also ensure long-term profitability in native chicken farming.