Vientiane chicken farms safe despite cold
Vientiane chicken farms safe despite cold
Most of the chicken farms in Vientiane have survived without any impacts from the recent cold weather despite it being unseasonal.
Chicken farm owners from different farms around the city have confirmed their chickens are still in good health and laying eggs as nor mal despite the cold weather over the last four days.
One chicken breeder in Vientiane, Mr Thongsouk Sinsisouphanthong, told Vientiane Times yesterday that most of the chickens at his farm, which is located at the Phonkeo village, Naxaithong district, are fine.
However he confirmed that some local people who were breeding poultry in their fields or gardens had seen them die due to a lack of shelter from the weather.
Mr Thongsouk said all of his chickens have been vaccinated, receive good quality feed and vitamin supplements.
“We also take care when the weather changes to guarantee that we identify and cases of sickness or death,” he added.
Chickens have strong health and lay good eggs at temperatures between 18-25 degrees Celsius. If the temperature is below 18 or higher than 25 degrees Celsius, farm owners need to take closer care of their chickens.
Mr Thongsouk's farm currently comprises around 4,000-5,000 chickens which produce about 110-120 boxes of egg a day.
He doesn't worry about the weather but he is concerned about the market as the market is a major factor in terms of his income and his profit levels.
The egg price currently is good as the numbers of chicken breeders has dec reased while market demand is better, Mr Thongsouk said.
The price of big eggs is around 23,000-24,000 kip per box (one box holds 30 eggs), while medium eggs is 21,000 kip and small eggs is 17,000-18,000 kip, Mr Thongsouk reported.
As high competition drove down the price of eggs, different chicken breeders in Vientiane had to cease operation as they lacked the funds to continue breeding.
In 2003, the Vientiane chicken farm group comprised 171 members but currently there are only half that number.
Mr Thongsouk said that these farmers are still producing sufficient eggs to supply Vientiane markets' consumption needs.
Chicken farms in the northern provinces, especially Xieng Khaung and Huaphan, are also safe as they are breeding on indoor farms, according to the Xieng Khuang provincial livestock and fishe ries section.
