Michael Castro, a mechanical engineering graduate who was not able to discover a job throughout the pandemic, relied on farming and developed Mr. Chix Farm, a sustainable chicken, turkey, and duck breeding farm.
Castro with a male Rhode Island Red chicken. (Mr. Chix Farm)
By JAMES TABABA
Michael Castro, a graduate of Mechanical Engineering in March 2021, was challenged to search for a job due to the pandemic, which inspired him to check out alternative sources of earing earnings from home. Castro chose to venture into farming and thought about raising chickens as a possible business chance. He at first raised 20 chicks with his restricted capital and discovered the experience to be effective.
Castro with his big Brahma chicken. (Mr. Chix Farm)
Castro’s next action was to scale up and raise a hundred more chickens, however his absence of experience and unfavorable climate condition caused increased death rates among his flock. Despite this problem, Castro was not prevented and took proactive actions to look for help from knowledgeable farmers. He was astonished when he found the range of chicken types available in the market.
Early farm start
Castro made a considerable modification to his farming technique after his preliminary efforts at raising chickens experienced problems. He moved from raising 45-day chickens to a free-range system that utilized heritage types. Heritage chickens are imported types that have actually been seasoned to the regional environment and environment through years of breeding in the Philippines.
Rhode Island Red is Castro’s very first heritage chicken breed. (Mr. Chix Farm)
Castro found that heritage types were more efficient, and resistant, and might flourish in a free-range environment without cages. By executing this brand-new technique to farming, Castro had the ability to enhance the quality of his items
In May 2021, Castro chose to pursue chicken farming more seriously. He started obtaining the essential products and equipment to launch his own farm. This marked the establishment of Mr. Chix Farm in Guagua, Pampanga.
Brahma chicken is identified by feathered legs, a pea comb, and a big, upright stature. (Mr. Chix Farm)
Mr. Chix Farm was developed to supply premium, sustainable types to farmers, enthusiasts, and yard raisers. The farm focuses on raising chickens, turkeys, and ducks, looking after them from breeding to hatching their eggs and raising their chicks till they are prepared to be offered.
Castro comprehends the value of keeping the health and wellness of his breeders. He guarantees that they receive appropriate nutrition and healthcare, which results in healthy chicks and pleased customers. In addition, the farm has actually carried out stringent biosecurity procedures to guarantee the safety and health of their breeders. Aside from the safety measures required to keep a safe and healthy environment, the farm likewise provides a designated launching location where customers can get their orders.
A growing business
Castro makes the most of social networks in reaching clients both near and far. By leveraging social networks platforms, he has the ability to display the quality of his breeder chicken to a larger audience. His business strategy and goal-setting assisted him stay concentrated on growing his business. In the early days, he offered eggs to keep the business running, till they had the ability to acquire their very first incubator. Now, they have actually introduced a hatchery, “Itlog Mo, Pisain Ko” (Your egg, let me hatch it), which likewise assists others in their area by offering incubation services. The benefit from the hatchery spend for their regular monthly electrical charges.
Incubators for Castro’s “Itlog Mo, Pisain Ko” Mr. Chix Hatchery. (Mr. Chix Farm)
The farm provides a wide range of types to pick from, consisting of Rhode Island Red, Black Australorp, Barred Plymouth Rock, Brahma Chicken, Oriental Fowls, Orpingtons, Ayam Cemani, Ayam Ketawa, Cochin Balls, Silkies, and numerous duck and turkey types, to name a few. The farm deals with customers nationwide, with pick-up alternatives for those in close-by places and shipment alternatives by means of Pet Transport or airline companies for customers in Visayas and Mindanao. The family pet transportation service likewise supplies all the essential requirements such as blood tests to guarantee that the procedure is legal, safe and secure.
Carton box that can hold and carry 2 chickens. (Mr. Chix Farm)
Running the business was never ever simple for Castro. “I remember struggling in keeping my mortality low. It was really a challenge for me before but through experience, we learned. I started by improving their facility and providing them proper food and nutrition,” he said.
Castro confesses that they still experience losses, however they continue to gain from their errors and pursue constant enhancement. He thinks that in farming, finding out never ever stops, particularly if you are brand-new in the business.
Goals and aspirations
Castro takes pride in what he has actually developed today, which is the outcome of all their knowing and effort. All their breeders go through appropriate choice, and their fruit and vegetables is chosen prior to release, making sure that their customers will just get what’s finest. Castro worths stability above all, and he desires influence, inspire, and help as lots of people as possible through their items. Their vision is for every single household to raise their own chicken, any breed to their taste, thinking that if every household has their chicken, there will be no cravings.
Carton box that can hold and carry 2 chickens. (Mr. Chix Farm)
This May 2023, Mr. Chix Farm will be commemorating its 2nd anniversary, and Castro is anticipating more tasks. He is presently dealing with their farm growth, Mr. Chix Aviary, for a larger variety of poultry animals. His objective is to help the regional farmers, breeders, and yard raisers to get the very best quality they can have.
Castro will continue updating his farm for much better and more sustainable breeding, and he wishes to influence and motivate the young generations that farming is likewise for millennials. “farming is also for millennials. If I can do it, you can do it too,” he said.
Chicken farming may be the business for you
According to Castro, free-range chickens produce eggs daily, getting rid of the requirement to acquire pricey eggs for breakfast. Additionally, the eggs laid by free-range chickens are healthier than those laid by caged layers. Castro has actually not purchased eggs because he began raising chickens. Furthermore, the eggs laid by free-range chickens can be hatched, and the chicks can either be offered or raised for meat production. Castro thinks that the constant production of eggs equates to more earnings.
A blue slate turkey in Mr. Chix Farm. (Mr. Chix Farm)
Castro strongly thinks that chicken farming is a rewarding business endeavor. He points out Microsoft-founder-turned-philanthropist Bill Gates, who when said, “There is no financial investment that has a return portion anything like having the ability to breed a chicken.” According to him, acquiring chickens when would lead to a consistent supply of offspring for the next 2-3 years of their lives, making it a fantastic financial investment.
Among all the types on Mr. Chix Farm, the Black Australorp is the very best seller. “These lovely black and shiny green feathered birds still hold the title for the chicken with the most number of eggs per year,” Castro said. He likewise included that they are beginner-friendly, simple to take care of, gorgeous, and quick growers, making them popular amongst chicken raisers.
Castro is grateful to all individuals who supported him from the start, even to those who prevented him, as they made him make every effort more difficult to prosper in his business. As he shares his story, he motivates striving farmers not to be scared to start, “either you started small or big, it doesn’t matter, what’s important is you have started something,” he said. He thinks that farming is enjoyable and can be discovered, and he hopes that more individuals will be influenced to start their own farms.
Castro with his silkie chickens, a breed with unique fluffy, fur-like plumes, which feel almost silk-like to the touch. (Mr. Chix Farm)
Castro extremely suggests chicken farming as a novice’s business, particularly for millennials who are searching for an income. He thinks that raising chickens can lower tension while offering a satisfying experience. According to him, “Masaya ka na, might kita ka pa!” (You’re happy and earning money!) You won’t be requiring a big capital to start here, what you require is persistence and determination while beginning. Sooner or later on you will see the harvest.”
For newbies who are beginning their journey of raising chickens, Castro provides easy suggestions: remain client and take pleasure in the procedure. He stresses the value of keeping the health of the birds, recommending routine cleansing of their pens, offering essential vitamins and vaccines, and guaranteeing their total wellness. As an outcome, the chickens will be much healthier and produce higher-quality eggs, causing a more effective farming operation. Castro advises striving chicken farmers to, “take care of them, and they will take care of you too.”
In the next post, Michael Castro will share his insights about the extremely in-demand dual-purpose chicken types that have actually made their mark as bestsellers and why these types have actually ended up being so popular amongst poultry farmers and lovers.
READ: Raising chickens for eggs and meat: Recommended dual-purpose chicken breeds for backyard farming and commercial production
Photo thanks to Mr. Chix Farm
