5 Ways to Start Raising Kampung Chickens

Kampung chicken, Indonesia's native free-range chicken, is one of the most widely raised breeds in the country. It has been kept since ancient times, mainly by people living in villages. Rural households usually have large yards, so the chickens can roam freely. In the past, many people raised these chickens because they were easy to care for and bartering was still common. When a family needed rice, cooking oil or other goods, they could trade their chickens for the staples they needed.

Today, raising kampung chickens is still a very promising business opportunity, because many restaurants need fresh kampung chicken meat to turn into all kinds of mouthwatering dishes. If you are interested in getting into the kampung chicken business, here is how to start raising kampung chickens:

Also read 6 Ways to Raise Meat Chickens for Maximum Results

Choose the Breed

Kampung chickens come in many varieties. You can choose the variety with the best potential for farming. Also make sure it suits the weather where you live. Each region has its own dominant kampung chicken variety that is raised most widely. That is why you should do a small survey to find out which kampung chicken variety people in your area raise the most.

Choose High-Quality Chicks

Pick high-quality chicks. If you have a friend who has raised kampung chickens for a long time, it makes sense to source quality chicks from them. If you have no such connections, you can look for kampung chicken day-old chicks (DOC) at a well-known, trusted farm. Choose DOC from high-quality parent stock, because the chicks will share the quality of their parents. Besides buying DOC, you can also choose quality breeding hens that have a proven record of producing quality eggs. Signs of high-quality DOC are that they hatched on time, have bright, clear eyes, stand upright and move nimbly, and, finally, have no physical defects.

Drinking Water

When you start raising kampung chickens, pay close attention to their drinking water. Always check whether there is enough water and what condition it is in. During the rainy season, check the drinking water in the coop frequently, because water quality tends to drop when the rains arrive. If the water in the coop mixes with rainwater, all kinds of bacteria and germs can enter the chickens' bodies. So make sure the water you give is clean, colorless and odorless.

Also read 4 Risks of Raising Laying Hens to Watch Out For

Chicken Feed

The next thing to watch is feeding. Feed absorbs moisture easily, which can encourage the growth of mold and other microorganisms. So keep checking whether the feed is still in good condition. Feed that has gone bad smells rancid, changes color and becomes infested with pests.

Watch Out for Disease

Although kampung chickens have stronger immune systems than other breeds, you still need to watch out for the many diseases that can strike them, such as influenza, diarrhea and others. In the dry season, disease can spread through the air, while in the rainy season it can spread through drinking water. To prevent it, give vitamins so the chickens' immunity stays stable.

Also read 7 Effective and Efficient Ways to Raise Broiler Chickens

Kampung chickens are very easy to care for, which makes them a good fit for beginners who want to get into chicken farming. Follow the steps above to start your kampung chicken business the right way.