| Summary, etc. |
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY BALISACAN, JEREMY M. and COLOBONG, RHEYGIE D. 2019. Free-ranged Hubbard Chicken Production Using Organically Formulated Feed in Barangay Payao, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte. Practicum Terminal Report. College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development. Mariano Marcos State University, City of Batac, 2906 Ilocos Norte. 44 pp. Adviser: Dr. Zenaida H. Esteban The project on free-ranged Hubbard chicken production was conducted at Agapeland Organic Farm and Learning Center in Brgy. Payao, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte, on January 29, 2019 to April 21, 2019. The project generally aimed to provide an actual hands-on experience in free-ranged Hubbard chicken production. Specifically, the aim was to: 1) provide an actual experience on the technical and marketing aspects in the operation of a small enterprise; 2) determine the profitability of free-ranged Hubbard chicken production using organically formulated feed; 3) provide income to the student-entrepreneurs; and 4) identify the skills and values developed during the conduct of project. One hundred (100) heads of Hubbard chickens were raised in a free range system for one production cycle using organically formulated feed. The production management practices were based from the recommended technologies of Siscar (2018), Livestock Feed LTD (nd), Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (nd), Costales Nature Farms (nd), and Poultry Manual (2016) on free range broiler chicken production Results showed that free-ranged Hubbard chickens fed with organically formulated feed and supplemented with EMO-AS and OLMB via drinking water in one production cycle obtained an average final weight of 1.69 kg/head at the 72nd day with a mortality rate of only two percent. The gross income was Php 33,190.00 while the total costs incurred in one production cycle was Php 23,324.20 giving a net income of Php 9,865.80. This gave a return on investment (ROI) of 42.30%, an indication that this kind of project can be adopted by individuals especially farming households. The break-even price and break-even yield of the project were Php 140.55 and 116.62 kg, respectively. Among the problems encountered and dealt with by the student-entrepreneurs were along the daily feed consumption of the chickens, the unforeseen cold weather and the inconvenience of prospect buyers and retailers or producers. To address these concerns, the student-entrepreneurs made proper adjustments on the feeding management of the chickens, regularly checking the covering of the brooding cage to protect the chickens from the cold weather and in transporting chickens to be sold in appropriate manner and time to avoid stress. Overall, the experience and exposure of the student-entrepreneurs in the conduct of the project in free-ranged Hubbard chicken production enhanced their entrepreneurial skills specifically on the technical and marketing aspects. These include construction of a brooding cage and a ranging pen, proper feeding procedures, cleaning and maintaining the poultry house using organic means, record keeping, advertising and marketing. Likewise, values developed in them in operating this small-scale enterprise were: being resourceful, observant, patient, and flexible when needed especially in decision making. |
