Farmers
keep bird flu at bay
(24-05-2008)
 |
A veterinarian sprays an
anti-viral solution at a chicken farm in Tien Giang Province. —
VNA/VNS Photo Dinh Hue |
LONG AN — While the
avian flu epidemic spreads nationwide, many big chicken farms in Mekong Delta
provinces are still safe from the scourge due to their self-contained chicken
raising process and the automatic system of cooling.
This model is being
employed by farmers in the Mekong Delta provinces of Can Tho, Vinh Long, Tien
Giang and Kien Giang in co-operation with C.P Breeding Limited Liability
Company.
Each province has between
100,000 and 450,000 chickens being raised at any given time according to this
model.
Chickens are kept in
self-contained coops equipped with cooling systems, suitable for every kind and
age of chickens.
These cooling systems
include fans with a diameter of 1.5m moving air over cold water, said Vo Van
Thach, the owner of the biggest farm in An Phuoc Commune worth VND1.2 billion.
The temperature of each
coop is regulated automatically and adjusted according to each type and age of
chicken.
It is these systems that
create a fresh living environment for the chickens, sheltered from pathogens
such as the H5N1 virus.
"My chicken flocks
are safe from the epidemic," said Tran Thanh Dai in Soc Trang City.
Moreover, the company
helps the farmers by providing the breed, necessary techniques and veterinary
support to help the farmers at every stage of the chicken-raising process.
"I’m no longer
worried about either the input or the output," said Dai.
The farmers only need to
pay attention to ensuring the technical standards of their coops.
After 45 days, when the
chicken weighs 2.7 kg, the company will collect it and pay VND5,000 per chicken.
"By feeding 15,000
chickens, I can earn VND 72 million after a month and a half," said Thach.
In 2008, the company plans
to co-operate with more farmers to increase the number of chickens raised in
self-contained coops with cooling systems, said Duong Van Phan, the director of
the company’s branch in Vinh Long Province. — VNS