The quality of chicken is determined by several factors, including flavor, texture, tenderness, juiciness, nutritional value, and hygiene. These qualities are influenced by the breed, age, sex, diet, health status, and overall management practices of the chickens. High-quality broilers have gained a significant advantage in China’s broiler industry. These birds are often improved local breeds of native chickens, characterized by yellow or brown feathers, yellow or green legs, and exceptionally flavorful meat. Due to their natural rearing environment—often on mountainous pastures where they graze freely among grass and trees—their breeding methods differ from conventional caged systems. The lack of easy access to cleaning and disinfection makes their production process more complex, emphasizing the importance of proper management techniques.
Below are key feeding and management strategies for raising high-quality broilers:
1. **Low Temperature Protection**: Sudden temperature changes can lead to serious diseases such as Salmonella, E. coli infection, Pasteurella multocida (fowl cholera), respiratory issues, Newcastle disease, and even avian flu. Brooding is divided into two stages: initial ground-level or cage-based rearing, followed by mountain grazing. The main goal during brooding is to provide chicks with optimal temperatures, helping them gradually adapt to outdoor conditions while building strong immunity and promoting rapid growth. The ideal temperature during the first week should be between 33°C and 35°C, decreasing by 2–3°C each subsequent week. By day 25, the temperature should match room temperature and remain stable for a few days before moving the birds to the grazing area. In colder seasons, when temperatures drop below 20°C, insulation and gradual temperature transitions are crucial. The floor should be covered with 2–5 cm of dry straw, and wet areas should be dried and replenished regularly. Windbreaks should be used in the morning, evening, and at night, but opened during the day for ventilation and to keep the environment dry.
2. **Density Control**: Overcrowding and large group sizes can cause stress, poor feathering, increased disease risk, uneven growth, and lower feed efficiency. During the brooding phase, the recommended density is 50–60 chicks per square meter, with each group ideally containing around 2,000 birds.
3. **Nutrition Program**: Broiler nutrition must be adjusted according to different growth stages. Young chicks require higher levels of protein, amino acids, minerals, trace elements, and vitamins, with lower energy content. As they grow, these nutrients are slightly reduced, and energy levels are increased. For adult broilers, protein and minerals are further decreased, while energy is boosted again. Since free-range broilers are more active and consume more energy, their feed should contain 5–10% more energy than that of caged broilers, along with higher crude fat content. Feed companies and farmers can enhance meat quality by incorporating “fat chicken ingredients†1–2 weeks before market time. Two common feeding strategies are: (1) "Fast-growing large meat chicken + slow-growing medium meat chicken + slow-growing large meat chicken" to achieve larger body weights; and (2) "slow-type meat chicken + slow-type medium chicken + slow-type large chicken" for a more balanced growth pattern.
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