Baybay City, Leyte - There are more and more people getting interested in free range chicken production. The shift towards consumption of healthy foods could have prompted this. According to a study by Z. H. Miao in 2005, consumers believe that free-range chicken eggs are healthier as it is low in calories, and saturated fats, high in protein and vitamins.
Tapping on this renewed interest in poultry production calls for further capacity building for Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) who see to it that farmers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to venture into such industry.
The Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training Center 8 conducted the Training on Free-Range Chicken Production and Management for AEWs on Sept. 12-14, 2023 at ATI RTC 8, VSU, Baybay City, Leyte.
The participants were taught about chicken farming and technologies, nutrition and feeding management, feed formulation, breeding and stock management, animal health care, and climate change and its effects on the industry.
Ms. Christine Verano, an AT from Culaba, Biliran, enthused, “I’m happy to be back as livestock coordinator in our Municipality. The training refreshed my prior learning in free range chicken production and management.” She mentioned that during the feed formulation workshop, she had some difficulty in computing the correct crude protein requirement and balancing of the feedstuff. However, she did not waver in her willingness to learn.
Ms. Maribel Nebrida, an AT from Oras, E. Samar, shared, “ The training was very informative and enjoyable. During the learning journey, the free-range chicken farm was an eye opener. It provided us with basic knowledge on how to establish and manage a free range farm.”
Twenty-one (21) AEWs participated in the 3-day training.
