Raising chickens with biological bedding, a circular economic model in new rural construction in Binh Minh commune

Environmentally friendly livestock solutions

If in the past, the traditional chicken farming model often caused pollution, now, with biological bedding, the farming environment has changed significantly.

In Roc Lua hamlet, Binh Minh commune, Mr. Trinh Xuan Minh's family is one of the pioneers applying the biological bedding model on a scale of 30,000 chickens.

Mr. Minh shared: “Previously, I had to clean the coop 2-3 times per crop, which was both labor-intensive and caused an unpleasant odor. Since switching to biological bedding, I almost don’t have to clean manure, the chickens get sick less, and the loss rate has decreased significantly. The bedding is made mainly from rice husks, sawdust, and microorganisms, which can decompose chicken waste right in the coop, helping to minimize odors, creating a dry, warm, and healthy environment for the animals. After each crop, the bedding is packaged and sold to gardeners to use as organic microbial fertilizer for crops, creating a closed chain in agricultural production.”

Not only does this model bring economic benefits, it also helps farmers significantly reduce the cost of veterinary medicine and cleaning, while improving the efficiency of feed use. Chickens raised with biological litter have better resistance, firmer meat, and are favored by the market.

Also in Roc Lua hamlet, Ms. Truong Thi Hoai - a household raising 6,000 chickens per batch said: "Raising chickens with biological litter is not only cleaner but also much more effective. After 45-50 days, the brackish chickens reach a weight of 1.4-1.5 kg/chicken, selling for 60,000 VND/kg. Each batch brings a good profit, the barn no longer smells, and the surrounding environment is also cleaner. Commune officials assess this as a farming direction suitable for the new rural criteria."

According to Mr. Ta Quoc Quang - Head of Roc Lua hamlet, the whole hamlet has 120 households, half of which raise chickens for commercial purposes; about 20 households raise chickens with a scale of 10,000 chickens/batch or more. "Since switching to biological bedding, productivity and economic efficiency have increased significantly, people's lives have become more prosperous. Many households have built new houses and invested in expanding large-scale barns," said Mr. Quang.

According to farmers' calculations, each batch of 1,000-1,500 chickens raised with biological litter brings in an income of 30-50 million VND, 20-25% higher than the traditional farming method. More importantly, this model also helps reduce the environmental burden, in line with criterion No. 17 of the National Criteria for New Rural Areas.

Creating a sustainable direction

Mr. Tran Dinh Canh - Head of Economic Department of Binh Minh commune said:
“The whole commune currently has more than 100 households raising commercial chickens, of which 27 households have invested in farms with a scale of over 2,000 chickens/batch, some even raising up to 50,000 chickens/batch. The good news is that most farms apply biological bedding techniques. In addition to environmental efficiency, the use of biological bedding also creates conditions for the formation ofcGreen agricultural value chain, towards sustainable development".

According to Mr. Canh, Binh Minh commune (merged from 4 communes: Tan Thanh, Tien Thanh, Ma Thanh and Duc Thanh) has a long tradition of livestock farming. Thanks to technical support from the agricultural sector, households have mastered the technology, proactively selected suitable microbial products and participated in training courses on environmental management in livestock farming.

"In the coming time, the commune will plan a concentrated chicken farming area, separate from residential areas to ensure environmental hygiene, and at the same time, encourage people to join together to establish livestock cooperatives for sustainable development and increase product value," said Mr. Tran Dinh Canh.

The model of raising chickens using biological litter is an important link in the circular agriculture strategy - utilizing by-products, reducing emissions, and reusing waste as organic fertilizer. When linked to the criteria of the new rural program, this model not only helps increase income but also changes people's awareness of green, clean, and safe production.

The reality in Nghe An shows that the application of biological bedding not only brings economic efficiency but also contributes positively to limiting epidemics, saving water resources and labor. This is a suitable model to deploy in new advanced rural areas, aiming at the criteria of "green - clean - sustainable new rural areas".

From the actual effectiveness in Binh Minh commune, it can be affirmed that raising chickens with biological litter is not only an effective economic model, but also an inevitable direction in building advanced new rural areas and model new rural areas.