Poultry Raising in the Philippines and Guide to

Raise Healthy and Productive Layers

Posted by Manny on September 20th, 2007

How to start poultry business in the Philippines? poultry raising in the

Philippines can be a lucrative business specially the third quarter of the year we have a low supply of
chicken meat and eggs. But before starting one it is important to consider the place where you want to
start one since chicken manure can be a health hazard to our neighbors. Below is a good resource for
taking care of chicks and egg layers if you are considering this kind of business. You could have so
many eggs and chickens on your hands that you’d have to take a cooking class to know what to do with
all of it. But if you have no time for cooking, you can concentrate on poultry raising. The resource is a
valuable info especially the cost chicken feeds which might not have a good return of investment. You
can use other raw materials which you might find plenty in your area like water lilies,water melon rind,
banana peel, rabbit manure or seaweeds.

CARE OF BIRDS & FOWL IN HOT WEATHER

Birds and fowls are more suited to cold than to hot weather. They lay more eggs in cold weather because
they are not stressed. Fowls do not perspire but they pant for breath and need much drinking water in
hot weather. So that they will lay more eggs, do not leave them under the heat of the sun; if they are
allowed to roam about, let them seek shade. Give them wet food and crushed shells during very hot
weather.

Source: Agricultural & Industrial Life, Mar-Apr 1991

CARE OF CHICKS

The first week in newly hatched chicks is important. It is here that the health of the fowl depends, to
give it good price. These first seven days is 15% of the growth and life of a growing chick. In the natural
way, the mother hen teaches the chicks, as they go about together, how to cackle, or squawk and the
young ones learn to hunt for food and avoid enemies (oppressors). The mother hen also provides her
chicks with heat under her wings. But in raising chicks in numbers, these opportunities are wanting.
They learn in life individually. Thus, it is necessary to provide the chicks with the right temperature,
light and air, and right number in their coop.

1. Coop temperature

Chicks temperature is 38.6°C and becomes 40.5°C in 7 days. The feathers that provide heat to their
bodies are still few. Thus, many chicks die of cold within the first seven days. The coop temperature
must be 31°C-35°C in the first day. This is lowered by 3°C at the end of the first week. After this,
temperature must be maintained at 21°C-24°C . When the temperature of the coop is not right, the chicks
will not approach their food or drink within 5-7 days, so many chicks die of hunger and weakness when
they are cold. When the coop temperature is right, the chicks are lively in the first 2 or 3 days; they pick
up things that attract them like bright stones or colorful grains and they preen their feathers or swim in
the soil. When the coop temperature is not adequate, they cling close to one another, chirp loudly and
endlessly and refuse to move.

2. Light
In the first week, give the chickens light to enable them to keep eating. After this, familiarize them for
a period of an hour without light so that they will not suffer shock when power is out. If they will not
learn to eat in the dark, they will not grow fast. They will not grow quickly with mere 8 hours light and
16 hours dark.

3. Flow of Air

Airflow in the coop must be adequate enough to remove the stench of their manure. Strong wind
however will make them feel cold.

4. Chick Population

Do not overpopulate the chicks in the coop. They should be just enough so as to allow free circulation
of air.

5. Loss of Heat

When the chicks are clustered together, heat is not lost. The size of the coop should grow as the chicks
grow. In this way, the right temperature is maintained.

6. Drinking Water

Chicks easily get thirsty, especially in hot weather. If they do not drink enough, they will not eat enough,
and so will not have energy in their bodies. As such, they will chill, which could cause their death.

Drinking bowls should be numerous so that they will quickly learn to drink. These should also be in
bright places so they can be easily found and accessible to approach.

Chicks that drink before eating easily gain weight.

Source: Greenfields Jan 1990

CHICKEN

Instead of providing more ventilation or cooling devices in chicken coops during hot weather, give more
fat in their meals instead of pure corn so as to cool their bodies. Chicken given fat gain weight more
quickly than those given pure carbohydrates (corn) only.

Source: Phil. Farmers Journal , Aug 1980

AMMONIA – TOXIC FOR CHICKS

Like children, growing chicks easily get infected with disease. In coops where they are reared,
respiratory sicknesses are common when they are crowded and ventilation is poor. This is because of
ammonia, a gas that is emitted by the decaying feces of the chicks. When the chicks are crowded, feces
get accumulated and with this, together with moisture, the strength of ammonia increases, especially
when ventilation is poor. According to experts, experienced chicken raisers know when the number of
chicks has reached a certain level that makes ammonia no longer bearable for the chicken. In such
condition, ammonia lowers the weight of the chicken. The fowls lose appetite, their lungs weaken, and
become vulnerable to respiratory diseases. Because of this, it is not good to allow feces to accumulate,
and it is necessary to widen ventilation windows.

Source: Greenfields Apr 1982

GOOD LAYERS

Layers will lay eggs regularly if they are kept away from noise and disturbances. The effect of noise
and disturbances on 4,000 layers was studied by four scientists from the University of Zagreb,
Yugoslavia. When a strong electric bell was sounded, the number of eggs laid was decreased; when a
stronger sound, the firemans siren was sounded, decrease in eggs laid was bigger. When the 2 sounds –
bell or siren were simultaneously sounded, the hens, struck with fear, tried to see the source of the noise.
Not one laid egg. In this event, 240 out of 4,000 (6%) died, 480 (9%) did not lay eggs; 3,720 (93%)
suffered obstetrical defects, 1,640 (41%) got indigestion problems and 360 (9%) got respiratory
sicknesses.

Source: Phil. Farmers Journal Sept 1978

POOR LAYERS

Poor layers cost food and space, and so should be removed. The marks of a poor layer are:

a. The comb is pale, dry and withdrawn at the top and below the throat.

b. The eyes are dim.

c. The hen is thin and inactive.

d. The appetite is poor, and the maw or crop is empty.

e. Yellow color surrounds the eyes, legs and bill. A good layer has no such color.

f. The hips are hard, thick and narrow (at 2 fingers wide).

g. The rear (rectum) is yellow, small and shrunken.

h. The body is shallow, narrow and short.

Source: PCARRD Farmnews, March 1984

GATHERING OF EGGS

1. Gather the eggs 3 times a day or more in hot weather. Eggs easily spoil in a warm surrounding.

2. Put the eggs in a basket or container.

3. Sort the eggs according to size.

4. Wipe off dirt or stains before storing.

5. Keep in a cool and well ventilated place.

6. Always keep the containers clean so as not to stain the eggs.

7. Cool off the containers first (if warm) before putting in the eggs.

8. Sell or dispose the eggs 2 times a week or more often so as to retain only the most freshly laid ones.

Source: PCARRD Farmnews March 1984

SALT: INCREASES EGG LAYING

The sodium content of salt is necessary for egg laying. But this element is not provided in commercial
feeds because it will increase the cost. To enable the hen to produce well, mix 200 gms of salt for every
2 sacks of feed. It has been observed by researchers that chickens lay eggs 29% short when their feed
lacks salt.

Source: PCARRD Farmnews Mar-Apr 1986

LIGHT FOR GOOD EGG LAYING

Light is important in the setting up of a coop for layers. It has much to do in the maturation of the
growing layers and their capability to lay plenty.

The rules are:

1. Do not increase lighting in the coop of growing layers. This hastens their maturity and it makes them
start laying eggs even while very young, but the eggs are small.

2. If the layers are already laying eggs, do not decrease lighting. It has effect on the hormones of the
layer — either activate or suppress them.
3. So it is suggested that from 4 to 20 weeks of a growing layer, the length of sunlight is 13 hours, if
possible 14-16 hours a day.

A 50-watt bulb is adequate for a 25 sq.m. coop. The ceiling where it will hang is from 2.4″-2.7″ (inches).

Source: PCARRD Farmnews Mar 1984

STRONG EGG SHELLS

According to studies in the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, a laying hen given Vitamin D when
feed bears stronger egg shells than those not given Vitamin D. Several groups of layers were given
different doses of Vitamin D3 (calciferol, derived from the fish liver oil). Those not given with the
vitamin laid less eggs, and their shells easily broke. After 4 weeks, their egg laying decreased by 30%,
and either with thin shells or without shell. But those given Vitamin D3 in their diet laid normal eggs
with strong shells. Those given 125 units Vitamin D3 only, also laid equal number of eggs as those
given 500 units, but the eggs were not normal in shape and the shells were not strong.

Source: Phil. Farmers Journal

USES OF EGG SHELLS

According to researchers from Brent School, Baguio City, egg shells have certain uses that are not
benefited from, such as:

– Fertilizer — egg shells contain calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. When applied on cabbage
plants, the leaves became wider, greener and the heads bigger.

– Cement — although it does not dry easily, cement from egg shells are smooth binder for bricks in the
following proportions:

1 part cement

2 parts crushed egg shells

– Paste — strengthens paste when mixed with starch.

Source: Phil. Farmers Journal March 1981

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FEED FOR CHICKEN

1. Watermelon rind

Researchers at UP Los Baños fed watermelon rind to chickens for 6 months. These were compared to
chicken given ordinary commercial feed. They observed that commercial feeds can be replaced with
watermelon rind up to 20%.

Method:

a. Boil the rind until cooked.

b. Dry in the sun.

c. Grind and mix with ordinary feed.

Source: Phil. Farmers Journal Nov 1981

2. Sunflower Seeds

Researchers in India tried feeding 18% up to 26% protein (from the resulting cakes after oil has been
extracted from the sunflower seeds) to growing chickens aging up to 70 days. These grew faster and
consumed more feeds than those not given sunflower cakes. They also observed that feeding the
chickens with seed coats did not cause any harm.
Source: Phil. Farmers Journal March 1981

3. Tobacco Seeds

In places where tobacco is widely planted, farmers know that every plant can yield about 30 grams. To
save on feeds, researchers tried replacing 20% of the feeds with tobacco seeds. Nothing adverse was
observed in the chicken, neither in taste nor in shape.

Tobacco seeds contain: 20% protein (38% if newly harvested), 15% crude fiber and 4% carbohydrates.

Source: PCARRD Monitor June 1989

4. Banana Leaves

According to researchers in Southern Mindanao Agricultural Research in Kabacan, North Cotabato,

broilers fed with 5% chopped banana leaves gained weight almost 1-1/2 kilos more than those fed with
commercial starter mash ration or with 10% added banana leaves.

Source: Phil. Farmers Journal June 1982

5. Banana Peels

Method:

a. Chop fine raw saba peels.

b. Boil for one hour, drain and cool.

c. For every kilo of dried banana peel, add:

150 gms dried chicken manure

100 gms rice bran (darak)

d. Mix well and dry in the sun.

e. Pulverize further up to about 1 mm sieve

This can be mixed up to 15% commercial broiler starter mash and finisher mash.

Example: 850 gm commercial mash

150 gm banana peel and added mixture

1 kilo

For broiler feed, ration diet is starter mash from day 1 to day 42, and finisher mash from 42-49 days.

Chickens fed 25% with this in 56 days made no difference in weight with those fed with 100% corn.

Source: Completed R&D Projects (ISN 297) STII-DOST

6. Rabbit Manure

According to British Poultry Science Report (1981), for every kilo of broiler feed, 100-200 gm dried
rabbit manure can be added. Dried rabbit manure according to their research, contains 18.8% raw
protein, 9% water, and 19.9% MJ energy in every kilo.

7. Seaweeds

Two kinds of brown algae can be mixed with the chicken feed in the following way:

a) dry algae in the sun until dry

b) pulverize and add to the feed at 5% amount.

Every kilo of algae is 20 gms powder that contains:

8.76% raw protein

7.76% raw fiber

36.67% ash and

46.26% free nitrogen extract

Every kilo of this contains 2,452 calories.

Source: Technological Information Pilot System AgriBo 62/1 May 25, 1989 Mexico

8. Water Lily

According to UPLB Researchers, water lily is rich in protein making it suitable as feed for chicken.

Procedure:

1. Pulverize (grind) water lily leaves

2. Mix the greenish paste-like substance with water and stir well to dissolve protein.

3. Screen the mixture to separate fibers.

4. Heat the liquid to 80oC to coagulate protein components, dry and pulverize.

The result is the water hyacinth leaf protein concentrate (WHLPC) which is an excellent substitute to ¼
soybean meals as feed for chicks aged 1-40 days-old. WHLPC is also rich in calcium and potassium
and contains 35% raw protein with 11% roughage. WLHPC, although do not necessarily aid in growing
chicks, it lessens the cost of feeding. It also lessens the risks of flooding due to clogging of waterlines
as well as oxygen depletion in water bodies.

Source: Phil. Farmers Journal, August 1980

Control Flies in the Chicken Coop

1. Dissolve Erythrocin B. in water. (This is a food color so it is harmless to humans).

2. Spray this solution on the chicken manure. When the flies alight or the manure, their legs get the
erythrocin. When they get exposed to sunlight, they die in a few minutes. Erythrocin B in the flies, when
exposed to sunlight, creates a kind of oxygen that is poison to them — whether they are still in the larval
stage or already hatched flies. Erythrocin is safe in the environment because this stays only for two
hours in water, when under direct sunlight. However, in the chicken manure, about 80% of this dye lasts
for about a week.

Source: Phil. Farmers Journal July 1982

SOAP POWDER FOR CHICKEN

According to farmers with long experience in chicken raising, mixing powder soap with the feed
increases the weight of the chicken more than does the adding of feed. This is because detergent aids in
the process of digestion in the chicken, reduces fat, and suppresses some parasites in the intestinal tract.
The amount is: 2 grams Tide (or powdered detergent) for every kilo broiler mash feed.

Source: Greenfields Sept 1989

Overall Source: Province of Sorsogon Website – http://elgu2.ncc.gov.ph/ppdo-sor/
How to Start a Chicken Broiler Production
Business
September 27, 2011 Livestock 5 Comments

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In the country, Chicken broilers have been raised in small numbers around the houses
as a backyard flocks, or on the farm as a small home scale venture for many years but
has shifted into a large commercial enterprise.
Poultry raising offers numerous opportunities for success. Chickens are easy to raise. Also,
poultry raising, as a family enterprise, offers profitable employment and recreation to the
members of the family. When managed properly, chicken broiler production, as a business
venture, offers substantial financial reward.
I. Estimated Investment Costs

II. Selection of Stock to Raise

• Stock should be purchased from a reliable hatchery or dealer where the parent stocks
arewell housed and well managed.
• Select/buy only healthy chicks (i.e. dry, fluffy feathers, bright eyes, and alert and active
appearance; free from diseases, and abnormalities; chicks should have uniform size and
color; and in the case of broiler chicks, it should be less than 33 g. at day-old)
• Choose those that have high livability and are fast growers.
III. Rearing of the Day-Old Chicks
• Provide sufficient artificial heat to keep day-old chicks warm during the day and night. Avoid
abrupt changes in brooder temperature during the first two weeks of life.
• Provide adequate space for chicks as they grow. Overcrowding is one of the factors
affecting poor growth. Good ventilation also helps avoid future respiratory diseases. Also,
provide a good light source as a well-lighted brooder encourages chicks to start feeding.
• Provide the chicks with good quality feeds either home grown or commercially sourced.
Feed the chicks intermittently rather than continuously. Research studies have shown that
chicks utilize nutrients better when using intermittent feeding. Do not allow feed troughs to go
empty for more than 1-2 hours.
• Cleanliness and dryness of the brooding quarters will prevent chicks’ contamination from
parasites and diseases, which might have been carried by previously brooded chicks.
• Environment should be kept as uniform as possible. Sudden changes in the surroundings
cause a certain degree of stress or insecurity (e.g. removal of brooder canopy; slamming
doors of brooder houses; or the presence of drafts). It is advisable that a regular caretaker
feed the chicks following a definite schedule during the first three weeks of the chick’s life.
• Make sure that feeds and fresh water are always available. Vitamins, minerals, and
antibiotic supplements may be added to the drinking water during the first few days. Consult
your feed dealer.
• Always check the chicks at night before going to sleep.
• All weak, deformed, and sickly chicks should be culled right away and disposed of properly.
• The immediate burning or burying of dead birds is an important part of a good sanitation
program. Do not expose to flies or rats.

IV. Rearing of the Growing Stock

• Broilers are marketed when they reach 45-60 days of age depending on strain.
• Birds are given anti-stress drugs, either in the feed or in the drinking water, 2-5 days before
and after they are transferred to the growing houses.
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect the growing houses prior to the transfer of the growingstock.
Transfer birds only during good weather.
• During summer, birds’ appetite diminishes but this may be sufficiently restored by wet mash
feeding or by taking
appropriate measures like spraying, misting, or sprinkling the roofing with water to lower
house temperature.

V. Housing
Chickens, being warm blooded, have the ability to maintain a rather uniform temperature of
their internal organs. However, the mechanism is efficient only when the ambient
temperature is within certain limits. Birds cannot adjust well to extremes; therefore, it is very
important that chickens be housed, cared and provided with an environment that will enable
them to maintain their thermal balance.

• If possible, the length of the broiler house should run from east to west. This prevents direct
sunlight from penetrating the side walls of the house, which could cause heat build-up inside.
• Ventilation is very important. Allocate at least 1 square foot of floor space per bird.
• If constructing an open-sided type of housing, elevate the house about 1.5 m. from the
ground. This ensures proper circulation of air and easier collection of fecal matter
underneath the house after each harvest.
• The building should be rat proof, bird proof, and cat proof.
• Trees may be planted on the sides of the house to provide shade during hot season. These
can also serve as protection from storms or weather disturbances.
• The roofing should be monitor-type and high enough to provide better air circulation inside
the broiler house.
• In preparation for the arrival of the chicks, thoroughly clean the house with the use of a high
pressure washer to remove dust, fecal matter, or any debris inside. Disinfect the house and
all equipment to be used.

VI. Location Requirements and Recommended Layout for Poultry Farms

• A poultry farm must be located outside urban areas.
• It must be located in 25 m. radius from sources of ground and surface drinking water.
• Medium and large poultry farms must be at least 1,000 m. away from built-up areas
(residential, commercial, institutional and industrial) while a small scale must be at least 500
m. away from these areas.

VII. Feeding Management

• Broiler-commercial rations are fed to the birds during the first 5 weeks and from then on are
replaced by the broiler-finisher ration.
• All purpose straight broiler ration is fed from the start to the marketing age of eight weeks.
• Commercial broiler feeds contain additives considered to be grown-promoting substances.
Feed additives make broiler production profitable and help broiler farmer control diseases.

VIII. Health Management

• The most economical and ideal method to control diseases could be achieved by proper
management, good sanitation, and having an effective vaccination program. Consult a
veterinarian for a program suited to your business operation.
IX. Marketing
• Alternative market outlets should be surveyed even before deciding to start a broiler
business to ensure a ready market at the time of harvest. Marketing arrangements with local
hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, institutional buyers, and grocery stores with freezers may be
made.
• Producers may form associations or market cooperatives so that they could agree on a
common price. Organized
producers have bargaining power with regard to their selling prices.
• Producers are advised to compute which is more profitable to sell, the birds dressed or live,
and whether to sell at the farm or in the market.
• The broilers should be sold at optimum weight (1.6-1.9 kg. live weight).
X. Estimated Income per Batch (42-45 days)

* Net of 4% mortality rate

** Based on DA-BAI figures as of Feb 2, 2009
XI. Ecological Implications
Livestock production impacts on the environment through possible effects on surface and
ground water quality, gas emissions from animal wastes, and unpleasant odors arising from
the enterprise. Manure management is less problematic in poultry enterprises, where
manure management does not usually entail wet disposal as in piggery enterprises, and
where the chicken dung is often routinely collected for conversion into organic fertilizer or fish
feeds. Gases emitted in livestock enterprises include ammonia, carbon dioxide, methane,
and nitrous oxide. The latter three contribute to atmospheric changes that lead to global
warming. Unpleasant odors emanating from a livestock enterprise are a function of the scale
of operation and sound manure management.
It is likely that the increasing scale of operation in livestock enterprises in the past years has
also intensified the adverse environmental impacts of the industry. The challenge is to
constantly develop more efficient and effective technologies for managing animal wastes
tailored to different scales of production, even as various means of converting such wastes
to useful products (e.g. biogas, fertilizer) have been in use for many years.

XII. Business Registration Requirements

1. Business Name Registration
From the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial office of the province where the
business is located
Validity: 5 years
2. Barangay Clearance
From the barangay office, which has jurisdiction over the area where the business is located
3. Mayor’s Permit and License / Sanitary Permit
From the local government which has jurisdiction over the area where the business is
located
Validity: 1 year
4. Tax Identification Number (TIN)
From the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) National Office
Diliman, Quezon City or from the nearest BIR Office in your locality
5. Environmental Compliance Certificate
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Telephone No.:: (632) 929.6626
XIII. Financing
Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC)
28/F, One San Miguel Avenue Building
San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center Pasig City
Telephone Nos.: 634.3326 / 634.3320 to 21
Telefax: 636.3393
Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP)
Head Office: 1598 M. H. Del Pilar cor. Dr. J. Quintos Sts. Malate, Manila
Telephone Nos.: 522.0000 / 551.2200
Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP)
Head Office: Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue cor. Makati Avenue, Makati City
Telephone No.: 818.9511 (connect to SME Department)
XIV. Technical Assistance
Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI)
Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Telephone No.: (632) 926.6883
Fax No.: 927.0971
Technology Resource Center (TRC)
2/F Jacinta II Bldg., EDSA Guadalupe, Makati City (beside Metro Manila Development
Authority-MMDA)
Telephone No.: (632) 727.6205
Philippine Association of Broiler Integrators, Inc. (PABI)
c/o San Miguel Foods, Inc.
18/F, JMT Building, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Telephone No.: 634.1010
Telefax: 637.3786
Sources of Information:

Department of Agriculture (DA)

Livestock Development Council
Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) Implementing Rules and Regulations to
Govern the Processing of Applications for Locational Clearance of Poultry and Piggery
Agri Business Week
Food and Agriculture Organization-United Nations website
dti.gov.ph