Hog, Pig, Swine Raising in the Philippines

Hog, Pig, Swine Raising in the Philippines

Swine raising is common and practical among farm families. This is because of the many advantages it gives the raiser which allows them to lessen the costs they spend while farming. The farmer/raiser can also use hog manure to fertilize his farm. Also, pork is the most common source of protein.

It's interesting, fun and a learning experience when raising a few pigs. Raising few pigs may also provide some income on a small scale for families who live on a bigger lot.
Pigs grow fast. They grow from about 3 pounds at birth to market weight at 225 pounds in about 6 months. It takes some 10 months from the time the sow conceives until her pigs reach market weight.
They can be sold alive at a livestock market or perhaps processed into pork for home use at a local livestock slaughtering facility. The most important products from hogs are hams, roasts or lechon, chops, bacon, and sausage.

Swine raising is a very popular enterprise in the Philippines because of backyard producers which dominate the swine industry and a healthy viable commercial sector. Despite the crises facing the swine industry (such as the spread of foot-and-mouth disease), still many people are venturing in this enterprise.

BREED OF SWINE 

There are many imported breeds in the country today and its sometimes difficult to determine the best breed most suited to our conditions. Here is a guide to help you select the breed to raise depending on your purpose, money and experience.

1. Yorkshire or Large White

- It is heavy and is all white. The face is slightly couping and its ears are erect. They grow fast and give you high quality meat. They have string legs, are excellentmothers, have good character and wean from 10-12 piglets to a liter. It fine for them to be confined, have very good growth rate, and high feed conversion ratio. 

2. Land-race

-White, short-legged and has medium to large drooping ears. Sows have excellent mothering ability and litter size. They are heavy milkers thus they produce pigs with superior growth rate and feed utilization efficiency. When crossed with other breeds, they produce pigs of highly acceptable carcass quality. However, they can't adapt to rugged conditions because of their weak feet and legs. Such defects should be corrected by proper selection and breeding.

3. Duroc

-The Duroc color is of varying shades of red. The sows are prolific and are good mothers. They produce pigs that are superior in growth rate, feed conversion, and "their performance under rugged conditions is better than any of the white breeds.

4. Hampshire

-Hampshire are black with a white belt around the shoulder and body. They are generally short legged and lack body thickness. The sows have a reputation of weaning a high percentage of the pigs farrowed and are able to adapt to very rugged conditions. The growth rate, however has generally been average or below.

5. Berkshire

-Berkshires are black with six white points -four white feet, some white in the face and tail. The ears are erect and inclined forward as the animal grows older. They are known for their style, meatiness and good adaptability to rugged conditions. They have desirable length, depth and balance ofbody but lack good growth and efficiency in converting feed to weigh gain. The sows are not as prolific as the other breeds.

6. Pie train

-The Pietrain is a very meaty type of pig with spotted black and white color. It has well-shaped hams, loin and shoulders. Ears are erect, The carcass has a high lean meat percentage, but it has a poor body constitution. Feed efficiency is not really good and they are a little bit slow grower. This breed is also highly susceptible to stress. Thus, Pietrain is only worthwhile in crosses but not as pure breeds.

Characteristics of the Different Breeds of Pigs  

BREED, COLOR, EARS, TYPE, COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, OBSERVATIONS

1. Landrace - White, Hanging, Meat, Denmark, "Long face, good mothers, weak legs, prolific\"

2. Large white - White, Standing, Meat, England, "Fertile, high quality meat, fast grower\"

3. Bershire - Black w/ 6 white points, Standing, Meat, USA, "Short, black skin, more resistant to diseases compared to white breeds\"

4. Hampshire - Black with white bands Standing, Meat, USA, "Short, good quality meat, strong legs\"

5. Duroc -  Jersey Red (golden), 2/3 erect, Meat, USA, "Good constitution, strong legs, fast grower, resistant to stress\"

6. Pietrain - Black & white, Standing, Very meaty, Belgium, "Very meaty ham and very suscep-tible to stress"

SELECTION CRITERIA 

When selecting breeder sows on the basis of physical appearance, consider the following:

•The gilt should have well-developed udder with a minimum of six pairs of properly spaced function teats. A sow with poor udder development is likely to have poor milking capacity-

•Choose those which do not have inverted teats for such teats are inherited and do not secrete milk.

•A long body is more desirably in sows because it provides more space for udder development.

•The body should have uniform width from front to rear.

•Good development of the ham, loin and shoulder is required of a breeding animal.

•Must have sound and well-placed feet and legs. Animals with medium short feet and short upright pasterns are preferable.

•Make it a point to select the biggest animals within a litter.

•Female breeders should come from a litter of eight or more good-sized piglets with high survivability.

•Do not keep gilts that come from sows in which agalactia (failure to secrete milk) have been observed.

•Select vigorous and hardy pigs from a healthy litter in a herd raised under good swine sanitation. Do not keep gilts or boars nor breed from litters that have physical abnormalities. These may be inherited.

Most of the factors discussed in connection with a selection of gilt or sow also apply in the selection of a boar. However, the following pointers should also be considered: 

•Masculinity, both in appearance and action, should predominate in the make-up of any boar.

•The primary sex organs should be clearly visible and be well-developed. Select only those boars whose testicles are of equal size.

•Select However, the best is to select a boar which has been proven and tested for boars with traits that can overcome the defects of the herd. Minor defects in the boar may be ignored provided that they are not present among the sows.

Which Breed do you like? 

2-a Poultry Raising 2nd article

How to Start a Poultry Farm Business

Chicken broiler production is one of the most progressive animal enterprises in the Philippines today.

The poultry industry began as a backyard enterprise but has shifted to the formation of very large integrated contract farming operations.

This post will guide you on how to start your own poultry farm business.

I. Estimated Investment Cost

Housing                                                   P40,000
Equipment                                               P30,000
______________________________________________________________
Material Cost                                          P37,547.50
______________________________________________________________
Day old chick (500 chicks x P20/head    P10,000
Assumptions
     Growing period of 42-45 days
     Target weight of 1.6 kg.
     Mortality of 4%
______________________________________________________________
Feeds
     Chick booster 10g/head/day for 7 days @ P13.84/kg     484.40
     Broiler starter 60g/head/day for 3 weeks @ P21.03/kg   13,248.90
     Broiler finisher 90g/head/day for 2 weeks @ P20.34/kg  12,814.20
______________________________________________________________
Medication P2.00/chick                                                          1,000
______________________________________________________________
Operating expense
Electricity, labor, farm rental ( if renting)                                5,000
_____________________________________________________________
Initial Investment per batch                                                 42,547
_____________________________________________________________
Estimated total cost                                                           112,547.50

II. Selection of Stock to Raise

• Stock should be purchased from a reliable hatchery or dealer where the parent stocks are well 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 growing stock. 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

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. 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

2. Poultry Raising

How to Raise Chickens: Poultry Raising in Philippines

Poultry: A Practical Guide to the Choice, Breeding, Rearing, and Management of all Descriptions of Fowls, Turkeys, Guinea-fowls, Ducks, and Geese, for Profit and Exhibition

Let me first give you some basic information about chickens. Female chickens are called laying hens. Those that are being raised for their meat are called broilers or fryers. A male chicken is rooster and a female chicken is a hen. Babies are called chicks. Adult chickens can weigh from one pound to over eleven pounds.
Chicken farms raise chickens for food and eggs. Chicken broiler and egg production are the most progressive animal enterprises in the Philippines today. The poultry industry, in fact, began as a backyard enterprise but has shifted to the formation of very large integrated contract farming operations.

Best Chicken Breeds

The chicken breeds that are good egg layers are Rhode Island Reds (brown eggs) and Leghorns (white eggs). Ideal meat chickens are Arbor Acres, Ross, and Peterson. The New Hampshires and White Plymouth Rock are raised for their eggs and meat.

Guide in Selecting Stocks to Raise

Here are the guidelines in selecting the foundation stock to raise:

• Purchased stock must come from reliable hatchery or franchised dealer where parent stocks are well-housed and well-managed.

• The kind of stock to buy depends upon the purpose for which it is going to be raised.

• Chicks should be free from diseases and deformities.

• Broiler chicks should not be less than 33 grams at day-old and they should be of uniform in size and color.

• For a start, a popular strain raised in the community can be selected as it is an indication of the stock's good performance under existing farm conditions.

• For broilers, choose those that have high livability and are fast growers.

• For layers, choose those that have good egg size, high egg production, and long productive life.

Poultry House

Chickens used to be kept loose in a farmyard. Now, they are kept in poultry houses. Poultry houses are usually one story high and are brightly lit. Chickens lay bigger and stronger eggs if they have light during the day and night. The hen house floors are concrete so that rats can't get in. There are also corn husks, peanut shells and wood chips on the floor.
Chickens must be protected from poor ventilation and extremes in temperature. It is ideal if poultry houses are built parallel to the wind direction, if dimension allows it, wherein the southernmost and the northernmost part are the ones that are exposed to the wind.
Feed sacks that are to be discarded can be used as wind and sun breakers. Trees also will serve as wind breakers.

Things to remember when feeding chickens

Animal raisers should provide their livestock the necessary feeds and feed supplements. A healthy growing livestock means bigger for the animal raisers.
Chicken raisers should learn the amount of feeds, the kind of feeds, and the frequency of feeding their animals. Feeds is the biggest item of expense. Good profit results in livestock that are properly fed.
Here are things to remember when feeding chickens:

For Broiler/Meat Type

 

• During the first 5 weeks, broiler commercial rations are to be fed and replace with broiler-finisher ration from then on.

• From the start to the marketing age of 8 weeks, all-purpose of straight broiler ration is fed.

• Additives in commercial broiler feeds contain growth-promoting substances. These make the production of broiler profitable and also help broiler farmers control diseases.

For Layer/Egg Type

 

·         Chicks from day old to 8-10 weeks old, starter mash is given

·         Chickens aged 8-10 weeks until they are 5 months old or when egg production reaches 10%, growing mash is given. This mash promotes pullet growth at a rate that is just right to allow the chicken to develop its body and internal organs so that it will start to lay at the right time.

• The chicken should not be allowed to get fat during the growing period for this causes poor egg production and high mortality among layers. A good way of preventing fatness among the pullets is to restrict their feed to 85% of normal consumption when they are 16-18 weeks old, then full feed them at 17-20 weeks of age.

• Pullets which are about to lay, or when they reach 19th week of age, laying mash is given.

• Wet mash-feeding at noon during hot days increases appetite of the chickens.

• Adopt a regular system of feeding because chickens recent abrupt changes in feeding habits which gets reflected in their performance, especially on egg production.

1. Goat Raising

GOAT RAISING

Invest in Goat Farming

How much initial investment is needed and how much profit will i get?

Goat raising is highly profitable. With minimal initial capital investment of P 67,250 for 25-doe level.
P 174,500 for 50 doe level or P 349, 000 for 100 doe-level, positive net income and return-on-investment (ROI) are realized, even as early as the first year. The (roi) for the first years is 67% from a 25-doe level operation under semi- confinement scheme and 60% from 50 and 100 doe level operations under pure confinement system. payback period is two years.


25doe level1      50doe level2     100doe level3

373,626             762,002              1,524,004          total expenses for 5 years

623,750             1,219,500           2,439,000          total income for 5 years (sales of stock + stock)

250,489             457,498              914,996             net income for 5 years

67%                   60%                   60%                   (ROI) %


Why invest in goats?

     Goats are very popular among filipinos because they require low initial capital investment, fit the smallhood farm conditions, and multiply fast. Culturally, goats are integral to every special occations such as birthdays, baptisms, weddings, and fiestas. Hence, they command a higher price compared with other meats in the market.

Goats require low maintenance because they eat tree leaves, weeds, grasses and agricultural by products. They are not only a source of protein for filipinos, but they also provide the much needed income. In fact, goats provide livelihood to about 15 million filipinos across the country today.

As goat production requires low initial investment and small risks compared to other livestock species, it is thus an attractive undertaking among  resource poor families. Moreover , women and children can raise the spicies, making it a sound option to augment the country's program on livelihood.

At the moment, there is is an increase in demand for goats. Although total goat inventory in the country is steadily increasing at 2% per year, still there is not enough supply to meet the current demands. It is expected that this increased demand will last to 2020, the  year when supply is projected to meet demand.


How do i start my goat business?

to start a profitable goat business, one has to have the following production inputs

1. For backyard operations

A. Investment

-Goat house
-Breeding stocks

B.Operating expense

-Veterinary medicines
-Vaccines
-Concentrates
-Additional feed supplements

2. For Cpmmercial or Largescale production

A. Fixed investment

-Land
-Goat house
-Fences
-Pasture area
-Water pump
-Feeding trough
-Spade
-Wheelbarrow
-Ropes

B. Stocks

-Breeding does
-Breeding bucks

C. Operating Expenses

-Veterinary medicines, drugs, and vaccines
-Feed supplements and goat rations
-Labor fixed and seasonal
-Repair and maintenance of goat house, fences, equipment, and pasture

ABOUT BOER GOAT

ABOUT THE BOER-GOAT

The Boer-goat breed has it's origin’s in South Africa where it was developed for meat production in the early 1900s for meat production.

The name Boer comes from the Dutch and Afrikaans word Boer meaning Farmer.

The actual Boer goat breed was probably derived from indigenous goats that were herded by the Namaqua Bushmen and the Bantu tribes.

Subsequent cross breeding with European and Indian goat breeds has helped them to become the breed they are today.

The selective breeding process was based on meat production rather than milk and so the goat has a very fast growth rate with very desirable carcass qualities.

MORE ABOUT BOER GOATS

The Boer also possesses a strong disease resistance and is very adaptable to harsh environments such as those found in Texas and Australia. The Boer also has that characteristic white body and the distinctive red colored head. Like the Nubian goat they have long and pendulous ears. Other desirable traits are there relatively docile temperament, their fast growth rates, and also high fertility rates (some of my does dropped quads and triplets this season).

The Boer-goat does are reputed to have superior mothering skills in comparison with dairy and fiber breeds and it is a trait amongst first kidding does). A mature buck will weigh in the range of 110-135 kg (240-300 lb), and mature doe will weigh around 90-100 kg(200-220 lb).

Unlike the dairy goats used to breed, the goat is polyestrous, which means they can breed continuously year round. The aim of high fertility and this characteristic means that over two years you can average three kiddings and with good nutrition and management practices you can reasonably hope or aim for up to 6 -9 kids. This offers good returns on investment when you are in the capretto milk fed kid market.

As the doe can attain sexual maturity at anywhere from 5 to 9 months, breeding programs can be very effective when breeding up. In a highly productive breeding regime based on 3 kid drop per 2 years, the Boer-goat does are pregnant for 5 months (150 days), they suckle the kids for 3 months, and then are rejoined again. Does dropping large multiple kids are the most desirable for keeping and those dropping small and single kids should be culled. The Boer-goat Gestation period is in the range 149 to 155 days.

ABOUT THE MEAT-GOAT

Goat meat is often called chevon, cabrito or capretto. Australia is a major world supplier of quality goat meat to the United States and well as many other countries. Many people do not realise that some 63% of the red meat that is consumed daily worldwide is actually goat meat. The demand in western countries such as the United States and Australia or the UK is from ethnic groups that include Middle Eastern, Asian, African, Latin American and Caribbean people. Most of these people will choose to purchase goat meat whenever they have the opportunity.

Many people ask what is so special about goat meat. Many choose goat meat as it has no religious restrictions like pork. Unlike lamb it has far less fat and many prefer the flavours of goat over beef and sheep meats. The actual molecular structure of goat meat is different and as a result goat meat is more easily digested. The one big advantage is that it is very low fat and very low cholesterol which is ideal for the health conscious person. They make the best Indian style curry there is, and roasted is simply divine.

ABOUT STARTING A BOER-GOAT FARM

The key to any Boer-goat farming enterprise is good pasture management and nutrition. There are very big differences in feeding and grazing behaviour between goats, sheep and cattle. Many meat goat enterprises try to use the goat as an environmentally friendly weed killer, others as a supplementary animal to cattle and sheep, some a feed lot setup and others like me focus entirely on goat production. In this section will be passing on the experiences and advice to other breeders and farmers and look forward to exchanging ideas and advice

ABOUT BOER-GOAT FENCING

Fencing is the number one priority on any Boer-goat enterprise. And  recall all to well on my first goat experience just how hard it was to keep them in when they found out how to escape. The very first task when setting up is to sort out the fencing. I will take you through various goat fencing issues and improvements that I have used and found effective. While Boer goats are relatively calm and docile they will still test a fence and go through it where it is weak as a matter of principle

ABOUT GOAT DISEASES

The Boer-goat lives to a good age and will breed for up to 10 years. The Boer-goat also has good disease resistance but there are many things to watch out for. This section will pass on valuable information and disease advice