Establishing a Viable Enterprise Using Free-Range Chicken Production Technology in Bataan

Abstract The study was conducted to establish a viable enterprise for 2 years funded by DA-ACEF which aims to increase production of F1s of free-range chicken, increase adoption of developed by Tarlac Agricultural University; and enhance capacity of beneficiaries. Six packages of technology were adopted both on-station and on-farm sites: FRC housing, FRC breeding, FRC brooding, FRC ranging, FRC feeding and FRC health management. Four farmers from different cooperative; 2 female and 2 males (on-farm) located in Tuyo, Balanga City and Gabon, Abucay and one (on-site) in BPSU were supported with breeder house, stocks of 114 breeders, feeds, madre de agua plants, incubators, trainings. Both sites were 100% adopted the developed technologies and improved the practices in terms of breeder, grower house, brooding, ranging area, feeds, alternative feeds, concoctions and eggshell calphos. The on-site produced fertilized and unfertilized eggs, hardened chicks and growers and layers as a payback scheme for “passing the gift” for second batch of beneficiaries. Three trainings attended by first and second batch of beneficiaries. Production performance on both sites was analyzed with Statistical Tool T-Test: Two sample assuming equal variances. Significant results were obtained for average egg production and mortality rate (P<0.05) and no significant results rendered for average sales of eggs, feed consumption and feed cost (P>0.05). Financial analysis assumptions for selling price per tray is Php 230-250, Average Annual Sales Volume of Php 519, 661.01, Annual Net Income is Php 185, 921.70, Investment cost is Php 401, 901.00 and ROI is 2.16 years width rate of return on capital of 55.71% per station. The project concluded the increased production of free-range chickens in the community, adopted technology and capacitated farmer beneficiaries. The sustainability plan of the project is recommended to fully utilize the stocks and the inputs for achieving positive return to free-range chickens’ growers.