"Thanh Chuong Chicken": Old way, new way

(Baonghean) - Keeping up with the development trend of the economy in general and the agricultural sector in particular, the traditional chicken farming profession in Thanh Chuong is being transformed towards commercialization. On the solid existing foundation with favorable natural and human conditions, large-scale chicken farming is opening up a new path for Thanh Chuong farmers that is very hopeful.

Animal husbandry is a familiar profession to the people.

Mr. Tran Cong Son's family (Hamlet 13, Thanh My Commune) is one of the households raising broiler chickens on a large scale in the area. Like other households, chickens have long been a regular animal in his family. However, it was not until 2007 that he began to expand the scale of the farm, hatching chickens according to the correct technical process in large quantities.

Currently, each year, Mr. Son's family sells about 60,000 chicks and 5 tons of chicken meat to the market, equivalent to 2,000 - 3,000 chickens/year, earning an annual income of more than 200 million VND. Talking about the source of consumption, Mr. Son shared: "Because this breed of hill chicken has delicious meat and guaranteed quality, many traders come to buy it. Government agencies, especially neighboring boarding kindergartens, also regularly place orders to serve meals for children. Of course, there is still no stable consumption outlet in a professional manner such as signing supply contracts or not bringing hill chicken products to other provinces and larger markets. But in general, the income is relatively stable because the nearby areas all know the "reputation" of Thanh Chuong chicken, so the purchasing power of the people is quite large."

Chickens that meet the requirements for sale at Mr. Tran Cong Son's farm in Thanh My commune.

Based on his own experience in raising chickens, Mr. Son commented that the output of chickens is not difficult, because this is a very popular food source in family meals as well as popular in restaurants. The biggest risk for raising chickens is mainly disease. However, his family always applies clean farming processes, applies biological bedding, and ensures food, so disease rarely occurs. At this time, he is implementing the construction of an additional chicken coop with an area of ​​over 500m2, and after completion, it is expected to raise about 6,000 - 7,000 more chickens. Mr. Son is also an active member of the Executive Committee of the Thanh Chuong Chicken Raising Association, so he has learned quite thoroughly about how to take care of chickens most effectively.

Mr. Dinh Van Thi's family (Hamlet 12, Thanh Huong Commune) raises native chickens, which means that when sold, the chickens only weigh between 1.5 - 1.7 kg. This is a small chicken with sweet, soft and chewy meat. Each year, his family raises over 1,400 chickens, bringing in a profit of 30 - 40 million VND/batch. This year, his family is one of 10 families in Thanh Chuong selected by the Provincial Livestock Breeding Center to pilot a biosafety broiler farming model. To be selected as a family to implement the model, it must have a standard barn system and an effective care process. At the end of May, he and 10 other households were also trained in farming techniques and received 200 breeding chickens. He shared: “Raising chickens is not too difficult, so expanding the scale of the farm and increasing the number of chickens does not cause many difficulties. What I worry about most is the output of the product. When the chickens are ready to be sold and no one buys them, it will be a waste of feed and there will be no source of income.”

Build and promotebrand "Thanh Chuong Chicken"

Grasping the potential and advantages of the locality, as well as based on the reputation of "Thanh Chuong Chicken" which has more or less established a position in the market (although still limited in scope), the District Party Committee, People's Council and People's Committee of Thanh Chuong District have issued many resolutions, mechanisms and policies to encourage and facilitate the development of livestock farming and household garden economy in general, and hill chicken farming in particular. In particular, in 2014, the Livestock Development Project and the "Thanh Chuong Chicken" brand were completed, divided into 2 small projects. The first is the Project to build and develop the Thanh Chuong Chicken brand, which was approved by the Provincial Science Council in December 2014 with a budget of 700 million VND. Currently, the dossier has been submitted to the Department of Intellectual Property for brand recognition. Next is the "Thanh Chuong Chicken" development investment project, which has been completed and submitted to the Department of Planning and Investment for consultation with the Provincial People's Committee for approval.

Regarding specific instructions for developing chicken farming, continue to support people in breeding and raising techniques. For example, in 2014, 3 training courses were organized for 216 people on free-range chicken raising techniques according to the "Thanh Chuong Chicken" standard, providing households with 10,400 purebred chickens, which were then selected for breeding. In particular, the Chicken Raising Association was established (August 2014), starting with 35 members, and now has 66 members in 20 communes. 40/66 members raise chickens with a high selling rate under the guidance of raising and disease prevention and treatment. Currently, the total number of chickens in the district is 36,100, with each household raising at least 500 chickens.

Mr. Tran Cong Son (Hamlet 13, Thanh My Commune) introduces the broiler chicken farming model.

Comrade Phan Dinh Ha, Vice Chairman of Thanh Chuong District People's Committee, affirmed: "Thanh Chuong chose hill chicken as the "main" specialty for the locality as well as for economic - agricultural development, for two reasons. First, in terms of potential and advantages: chicken has long been a familiar animal to the local people and the natural conditions here are also very suitable for raising chickens. But the first reason alone is not enough to boldly expand the scale of chicken farming, but the second reason is needed, which is not only suitable for raising chickens but also the terrain of a midland region with a relatively large area like this completely allows raising large-scale chicken flocks. Another important factor ensuring the success and efficiency of the large-scale chicken farming model is the output for the products. There have been individuals who have raised the issue with the district and with households to be provided with a source of clean, delicious hill chicken to serve specialty restaurants. This is extremely meaningful to the success and efficiency of the project, because it is The final link that closes the production and livestock chain.

Because of the awareness of the importance of market output, not only building a simple chicken farming development project, building the brand "Thanh Chuong Chicken" is the highlight that plays a decisive role in the success of the project. A recognized brand is the clearest guarantee for consumers in the market, and at the same time is the "standard" that producers and breeders themselves must consciously aim for to achieve and even exceed the standard. Realizing that is to ensure for themselves the most solid position in the market where consumers' quality requirements are increasingly increasing.

Thanh Chuong hill chicken has long been famous for its delicious taste.

“When guests come to the house, catch the chicken to cook” - that is the catchphrase of Thanh Chuong people. People often say that if you ever come to Thanh Chuong, you cannot help but taste the hill chicken of this hospitable countryside, and then forever remember the very “rustic” flavor, very rustic but rich in flavor and affection. But what Thanh Chuong people are aiming for is bigger, broader than that, which is how to spread “Thanh Chuong Chicken” widely, reaching further instead of “waiting” for guests to come to the house to serve chicken. Being proactive, dynamic and flexible in grasping the development trends of the times is the mindset needed to maintain and develop the traditions and inherent strengths of the locality.

Thuc Anh - Phuong Thao