Study On Effects Of Free Range Husbandry On Ecological Chicken In Ningxia

Ecological chicken is the main quality poultry product with local characteristics in recentyears, which shows a rapid trend in Ningxia autonomous region. However, production ofecological chickens in Ningxia is under initial stage, many related-technology problems mustbe solved to accelerate development of this production, including selection of chicken'sbreeds to adapt easily local environmental conditions; improving feeding and management ofchickens reared under free range system to increase growth performance and economic return,etc.. In this study, three breeds of quality chickens including: two Lingnan yellow breeds andHongyu Wang chicken, were used to tested in Longde, Yanchi and Lingwu of Ningxia toevaluate the effect of management measures and free range environment on growthperformance under free range system. The results were summarized as follows:1. Survival rate of Lingnan yellow chicken and Hongyu Wang chicken was88.00%,93.30%and97.22%respectively where reared in Longde, Yanchi, Lingwu under free rangesystem. Hongyu Wang chicken showed easily adaptation to local environment. Lingwu regionis more suitable to rear quality broilers under free range system.2. Average individual body weight of12-week-old Lingnan yellow chicken and HongyuWang chicken was2660g and1906g respectively, which indicated the growth rate of Lingnanyellow chicken was great higher than that of Hongyu Wang chicken; Birds showed twogrowth wave crest in the fifth to sixth week and ninth to tenth week, respectively under freerange system. The level of feed supplementation and management in this period shouldincrease. In different management levels and feeding conditions, the best time of slaughtersales should be chosen according to actual situation. Generally believed, if the weekly weightgained less than120grams, the slaughter sale or feeding management adjustment should beconsidered.3. Lingnan yellow chicken and Hongyu Wang chicken could achieve better economicefficiency in the fine management, scientific feeding and stocking conditions. The two testresults showed that the average net profit of a single species was quilt different in differentvarities and regions. The variety of body weight determined the net income. Firstly, the facterthat affecting body weight was varieties. Lingnan yellow chicken grew faster than HongyuWang chicken while enhanced the economic benefits. Secondly, the factor that affecting bodyweight was stocked environment. The feed grass or orchard grass with a sufficient number of insects and appropriate protection measures would improve the economic efficiency ofstocking. Thirdly, it was management measures. The adjustment should added according tothe different periods of weight change and feed conversion index, putting the amount ofexcessive or inadequate feed, low feed energy and other factors would affect the economicbenefits. In addition, it was very important to strengthen adaptive training from the brood tothe stocking.In summary, Lingnan yellow chicken and Hongyu Wang chicken had good adaptability, inwhich should be stocked in Longde and Yanchi, Lingwuing respectively. During stockingstage, the peak of the growth should be increased feed and improved the management level.Lingnan yellow chicken and Hongyu Wang chicken could be achieved better economicefficiency in the fine management, scientific feeding and stocking conditions.