Production Practices of Poultry and Livestock Raisers in the Province of Guimaras

Abstract

This study was focused on investigating the production practices of poultry and livestock farmers in the Province of Guimaras. Thus, this was further to assess the following variables; poultry and livestock operation profile, sources of animals, livestock pasture feed and feed supplements, water, poultry and livestock living conditions, health management, manure management, and marketing. The farmers raised livestock animals such as cattle, pigs, carabaos, and goats, while they have also raised native and layer chickens. Livestock farmers were backyard raisers using a tethering system of owned animals. They utilized pelleted commercial feeds, but those using locally mixed feeds use rice bran, corn, and copra as feed ingredients, wherein they feed their animals on schedule. They used crossed breed, using the natural method of herd mating, wherein they considered the breed in the selecting stocks. The farmers commonly practiced vaccination, deworming, and vitamin/antibiotic supplementation for the health management of their animals. They sold their animals live as wholesale and cash on delivery basis. The common problems encountered by the farmers are diseases, adverse climatic conditions, capitalization, and marketing. Radio and television are the major sources of information. Farmers are not organic practitioners, especially on the introduction of feeds.