Raising free-range chickens: tips for those who want to start

Check out this article for some interesting tips for those who are going to raise free-range chickens and don't want to make mistakes at the beginning of their development!

Did you know that raising free-range chickens can be beneficial? You can have fresh eggs and quality meat to eat. Plus, you can make money from it.

But how do you get started and do it sustainably?

Brazil is one of the largest producers of eggs and chicken in the world.

According to the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA), we are global leaders. Small and medium-sized companies are essential in the country's poultry production.

They show that raising chickens can be very profitable.

To start, you will need around R$ 11,000.00. But the annual return can reach R$ 17,000.00.

Imagine transforming an idle space into a productive place.

You can have quality food and earn extra money. With the right structure and good planning, raising free-range chickens can be very efficient.

It is important to focus on sustainable chicken production to ensure the quality and health of the birds.

Here are some tips for anyone looking to start this profitable journey.

Read also: Raising Small Animals: A Complete Guide for Beginners

Key Considerations

• Set your goals: self-support or business purposes.
• Plan your infrastructure and initial investment.
• Choose the ideal chicken breed for your needs.
• Ensure a balanced diet for the birds.
• Maintain a daily handling routine.

Introduction to raising free-range chickens

THE free range chicken farming is a great option for those who want to enter the family poultry farming.

This method works well in both intensive and low-power systems. extensive chicken system backyards. Birds live better, with fewer deaths and better products.

The agricultural sector in Brazil is very large, accounting for a third of the GDP.

THE family poultry farming is essential, especially for free-range chickens.

Men and women in the countryside can improve their techniques with professional training courses.

Until 1960, extensive chicken farming was common in Brazil.

The birds naturally searched for food, which favored this system.

Today, the interest in extensive chicken system returned, thanks to the search for natural foods and ecological practices.

On hot days, birds drink more water, affecting egg and meat production.

The infrastructure of the chicken coop is crucial to efficiency. The choice of breeds, such as Rhode Island Red, is also important to improve production.

Aspect	Free Range Chickens	Industrial Chickens
Environment	Natural, extensive	Lockdown
Slaughter Time	90-110 days	45-50 days
Meat Quality	Hard texture, active flavor	Tender meat
Costs	Higher price due to lower supply	Lower production cost
Demand	High, for natural products	Stable, for mass markets

To be successful in backyard chicken breeding, it is essential to know the needs of the birds.

This improves production and makes poultry farming more sustainable and adapted to the market.

Choosing the breeding system

In extensive free-range chicken farming, choosing the right system is essential.

THE chicken picket system is highly recommended to increase the poultry productivity.

This method allows the chickens to move freely, improving the quality of the eggs and meat.

To begin with the chicken picket system, it is necessary to build appropriate warehouses.

According to the manual “Raising free-range chickens”, the shed must have a 4-pitched roof and be 2.10 meters high.

It is also important to divide the space into five parts for the development of the chickens.

In addition, barbed wire with stakes every 2 meters helps to delimit the pickets.

Requirements	Description
Shed covers	Gable roof, 2.10m high
Divisions	5 for different stages of development
Fencing	Barbed wire with stakes

THE extensive free-range chicken farming is also popular. In this method, birds have access to natural pastures.

This system is common in the Northeast, North and Central-West of Brazil.

It is cheaper and results in high-quality products that are resistant to adverse weather conditions.

The choice between the chicken picket system and the extensive free-range chicken farming depends on the producer's objectives.

Both are effective in increasing poultry productivity and ensure quality products.

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Raising Free-Range Chickens: Clear Planning and Goals

To be successful in raising free-range chickens, it is essential to have clear goals.

It is important to understand market demand and production objectives. This helps both family and business projects.

This optimizes production and meets sustainability and profitability needs.

In Montes Claros and nearby municipalities, approximately 17.6 thousand family farmers are involved in free-range poultry farming, both for slaughter and laying.

Annually, in the region, 455 thousand broiler birds produce 760 tons of chicken meat, while 191.3 thousand laying birds generate 1.5 million dozen eggs.

THE poultry business must be planned based on concrete data.

Chicken meat consumption in Brazil has increased significantly. This shows the importance of detailed planning.

It is recommended to start with a minimum of 100 chickens per month. This helps to gain experience. The idea is to gradually expand production.

Free-range chicken raised in the semi-intensive system is ready for slaughter from the third month of age. Laying begins around the 22nd week of age.

Indicator	Amount	Price
Average weight of free-range chicken	2 kg	30 to 40 reais per unit
Price of a dozen eggs	1.5 million dozen	6 to 7 reais

The National Program of Poultry Health in Brazil it is essential.

It helps reduce the risk of disease on commercial farms.

Strategically plan the poultry business and setting clear goals are important actions.

They help raise free-range chickens in a sustainable and profitable way.

Free-range chicken farming: Necessary infrastructure

Plan a planned chicken coop is essential for the well-being of birds.

The structure must offer space, protection and ideal climatic conditions.

Additionally, it is important to have cozy nests for laying hens.

For laying hens, the ideal temperature is 30 to 35 degrees Celsius.

Humidity should be between 40% and 60%. Stocking density varies depending on the life stage of the birds.

Perches must be at least 7.5 cm long per bird in the rearing phase. In the production phase, the minimum length is 15 cm per bird.

Collective nests must have space for 1m² for every 100 birds, facilitating access and comfort.

Alternatives to the conventional cage system are being explored to improve animal welfare.

Systems such as furnished cages require less space.

Free-range systems, such as free-range systems, recommend a density of 7 birds per square meter in the aviary and 2 birds per square meter in the external area.

This ensures better comfort for the birds.

Correct feeding of chickens

One balanced bird diet is crucial for the health and productivity of chickens.

Offer a chicken feed adequate reduces diseases.

It also helps in the constant production of eggs and meat. A balanced diet promotes healthy growth of animals.

It is better to choose industrialized foods, which already have a balanced formula.

They contain proteins, minerals and essential nutrients. But, nutrition free range chickens may need adjustments.

For example, laying hens need more calcium for eggs.

Adding calcium supplements to your diet is a good idea, but always under veterinary guidance.

Adding vegetables, rice and human food scraps to your diet is both economical and healthy.

However, it is important to avoid harmful foods such as avocado, chocolate, and green potato skins. These can be toxic to birds.

Food	Benefits	Recommended Quantity
Corn	Power source	20-30%
Sorghum	Alternative to corn	10-20%
Soy	Rich in proteins	15-25%
Fresh vegetables	Vitamins and fibers	5-10%

Domestic chickens can eat vegetables, such as herbs and cabbage. They can also eat grains, such as wheat and corn.

Sprouted vegetables and dried insects are great additions.

Access to natural herbs is also recommended to diversify the diet.

Finally, remember that the average consumption of chicken feed is 100g per day.

Choosing the right foods and supplements ensures the health and well-being of your birds.

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Free-range chicken farming: Selection of chicken breeds

Choosing the right breeds is essential for good free-range chicken production.

Each breed has its own characteristics and performance. This greatly affects the productivity and health of the birds.

Some breeds are very productive and hardy.

THE Embrapa breed 051 eats the posture in 21 weeks.

She can make up to 345 eggs, weighing over 56 grams, by 90 weeks.

THE New Hampshire breed It grows quickly and produces a lot of meat. It is great for those who want more profit.

THE Carijo breed can weigh up to 2.2 kilos and make a lot of eggs. The Bankiva breed makes up to 300 eggs in a year and a half. It can also weigh 1.9 kilos.

The characteristics of free-range birds change depending on the breeding system.

In the extensive system, birds eat whatever they can find. This includes grasses, earthworms, insects and fruits. It is a natural way of feeding.

To help you choose, see the table below. It compares several chicken breeds:

Race	Egg Production	Weight in Mature Age
Embrapa 051	345 eggs up to 90 weeks	56 grams per egg
New Hampshire	High meat production	Rapid growth
Carijo	High egg production	2.2 kilos
Bankiva	300 eggs in a year and a half	1.9 kilos

Choosing the right breeds is very important. You should think about the climate, the infrastructure and what you want to produce.

THE genetic selection chickens is essential for success.

Construction and maintenance of the chicken coop

Have a chicken coop project well done is essential for the health of the birds.

It is important to plan for protection against predators and pests. It should also provide an environment with good ventilation and space for the birds to move around.

Adopt poultry preventive measures is crucial to keeping the chicken coop healthy.

Use good quality materials. In addition, it is important to design the structure to facilitate cleaning and disinfection.

Measure	Description
Ventilation	Make sure the coop has enough openings for air circulation.
Space	Maintain adequate density, allowing at least 10 birds per square meter.
Protection	Use screens and fences to keep out predators and rodents.
Cleaning	Clean the chicken coop regularly to prevent the accumulation of waste.

THE maintenance of chicken breeding requires regular inspections.

This helps identify problems such as weather damage. Making repairs quickly keeps your coop safe and functional for your birds.

Raising free-range chickens: Daily management routines

The routines of daily bird handling are essential for the health free range chickens and productivity.

Feeding birds a balanced and regular diet is crucial.

Globoaves, Hubbard's representative in Brazil, helps with your Management Manual for the Hubbard Premium Free Range Chicken.

It is important to always have clean, fresh water for the birds.

Keeping the drinkers clean prevents the growth of bacteria. In addition, adjusting the curtains in the aviary according to the weather maintains the ideal temperature.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, giving freedom to birds improves their quality of life.

This, together with biosafety control, guarantees the quality of the genetic material.

For the health free range chickens, it is essential to clean and disinfect the sheds after each batch.

Letting the birds rest for at least 15 days after disinfection and applying vaccines and medications prevents diseases.

Using integrated strategies to control pests maintains a healthy environment for birds.

Production Frequency	Necessary Warehouses	Annual Lots
Monthly	3	14.7 to 17.1
Biweekly	5	24.5 to 28.5
Weekly	10	49 to 57

Perform well bird care practices is fundamental.

This includes everything from feeding to vaccinations. A consistent routine ensures health free range chickens and high performance.

Techniques to increase egg production

To increase the egg production chickens, it is essential to use productive poultry techniques.

Brazil is one of the largest egg producers in the world. Improving management can bring great benefits.

THE chicken coop light management is crucial. The right lighting helps the laying cycle of hens.

An environment with 16 hours of light per day can increase egg production.

Reducing stress is essential. Therefore, constant cleaning is essential for the health of birds.

Chicken Breed	Egg Production (Annual)	Management Recommendations
Plymouth Rock Barred	280	Balanced diet, adequate space
Rhode Island Red	250	Bright environment, light management
Jersey Black Giant	200	Robust structure, temperature control
Leghorn	300	Protein rich foods, fresh water
Bumpkin	220	Free space, disease prevention

Chickens must be fed carefully. They need all the necessary nutrients.

A quality feed can increase the egg production chickens and improve health.

Feeding twice a day is recommended. Keeping clean, fresh water available at all times is also important.

As the table shows, different breeds have different needs and production capabilities.

Choosing the most suitable ones is crucial. An initial investment can result in a significant return, demonstrating the profitability of this activity.

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Disease prevention and vaccination

Keeping chickens healthy is crucial for efficient production.

Vaccinating chickens is essential and should be done carefully. Broilers and layers require specific protocols to stay healthy.

Young chickens are given a vaccine against Marek's disease.

Vaccination against Newcastle disease follows a schedule: first dose between 1-7 days, second at 21 days, third at 35 days and a repeat at 90 days in laying hens.

For fowlpox, the vaccine is applied to the wing or thigh at 35 days.

Coryza requires an intramuscular injection between 35-40 days. The Gumboro vaccine is given to young birds via the eye.

Keeping birds healthy requires more than just vaccination.

Changing nest bedding between batches helps against parasites.

Planting trees around livestock can reduce wind-borne disease transmission.

It is important to control flies and prevent birds from coming into contact with sewage or waste from other animals.

Preventative medications can be given via water or mixed into the feed.

Maintaining high biosecurity standards, such as limiting visitors and using physical barriers, helps prevent disease.

Having an efficient health management plan is essential for the health of free-range chickens.