Understory ecological chicken model

"Chickens also have a natural desire to live in nature," said the Nanjing Institute of Animal Husbandry and Poultry Research since August last year, when they introduced the "Linxia Ecological Chicken Breeding Model." This initiative has allowed over 1 million free-range chickens to roam freely in the forests surrounding scenic mountains and rivers, cultivating high-quality "green" chicken breeds. To date, a large number of premium grass chickens have been sold, mainly to Nanjing and nearby cities. Yesterday, reporters visited the demonstration site for ecological chicken farming in Shiqiao Town, Pukou District, to witness the unique lifestyle of Linzhong Caoji. **Life: A High-Quality Community Surrounded by Mountains and Rivers** Along the long Hummer River, through a vast forest, the reporter arrived at the "home" of the free-range chickens, enclosed by a 2-meter-high wire fence — the demonstration base for high-quality ecological chicken breeding. Yongzheng Lin, a senior researcher from the Institute, described the Luoyang Mountain breeding area as a "high-end residential area." Inside the forest, eight neatly arranged cement coops housed over 20,000 chickens that roamed freely, eating, drinking, and playing both inside and outside the coops. Yongzheng explained that the number of chickens and ventilation levels are carefully controlled to ensure optimal growth conditions. Not all chickens live in such luxurious settings; other areas feature simple white sheds. Despite their modest appearance, these sheds are located in scenic mountainous regions, offering a more natural living environment than traditional farmhouses. **Eating: A Balanced Diet of Worms and Grains** The daily diet of the grass chickens in the Qiaoluo Mountain area is managed by four workers. One worker noted that commercial broiler chickens are typically fed compound feed, while free-range grass chickens receive a "nutritional package" each day. Their meals include insects like spiders, tree heartworms, grasshoppers, and crickets found in the forest, along with fresh grass seeds and young shoots. They are also given supplementary feeds made from corn and rice, balanced according to nutritional needs. Workers believe that eating worms makes the chicken meat firmer and more flavorful. Yongzheng Lin mentioned that the base is experimenting with adding tea leaves to the feed. Many components in tea are beneficial to human health, and using old tea leaves from nearby plantations could enhance the taste of the grass chickens further. **Playing: Climbing Hills and Trees** Flying among the trees, running through the hills, and enjoying the fresh air in the forest — the daily life of the grass chickens is full of energy and vitality. According to Yan Zhenglin, grass chickens naturally enjoy exploring their surroundings, climbing hills, and perching on trees. Allowing them to move freely in the woods meets their instinctual needs, making them feel comfortable and healthy. This wild lifestyle improves digestion and enhances the firmness of the chicken meat. Grass chickens are social animals, typically staying within 500 meters of their coop. However, the population must be balanced with the forest area. Overstocking can damage the ecosystem, destroy vegetation, and cause soil salinization, which is harmful to the environment and the chickens themselves. **Medical Care: 24-Hour Veterinary Support** After heavy rains, many grass chickens caught colds. In Xiaoluoshan District, a full-time veterinarian is always on call. Dr. Zhang Yonggang, who graduated from Shandong Agricultural University with a degree in animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, explained that free-range chickens are sensitive to temperature changes. They thrive best between 20-26°C. If it's too cold, they may suffer from diarrhea, and if it's too hot, they risk overheating or even dying. During heavy rain, nearly 200 chickens in each coop became sick. To treat them, Dr. Zhang added medication to their drinking water for several days. His daily routine involves monitoring the chickens' mental state, feeding habits, and feces to prevent and control diseases. "If the chickens look up at you and seem happy, it’s a good sign. But if they pull their heads back or behave abnormally, we need to act quickly," he said. After renting over 10,000 mu of forest land, 256 farmers from Shiqiao Town now work here. These forest-raised chickens grow faster than those raised in traditional farms, reaching market readiness in 90 to 130 days. Starting this October, the base will equip chicks with special identification rings, ensuring transparency in their origin, living conditions, breeding techniques, and product standards. Yongzheng Lin told reporters that the Municipal Animal Husbandry and Poultry Research Institute plans to promote this "ecological farming model under the forest" across the city. In addition to chickens, geese and goats will also be raised in similar undergrowth environments.

Connector Terminals

Connector Terminals,Male Crimp Circular Connector,Battery Terminal Connectors,Brass Pin

Changzhou Ziying Metal Products Co., Ltd , https://www.ziyingmetal.com