Perfect Sunshine Filled Monday in Baguio

Day started at 4:30am from Manila to visit a grower in Baguio. When they found out we were going, they wanted us to bring another batch of chicks. I said "let's see 1week old first".

Had my large Capuccino at leisure while on the road.

Got to the Rosario junction to Kennon at 10am, too early to have lunch so went up to Baguio. Enjoying the relaxing trip while coordinating with my "truck wrap" makers, answering calls from the forwarding Manila landline :)

Met with our grower in Solibao Restaurant in Burnham Park. Am glad I discovered this place. Never been there, but they say it is like an institution landmark in the area. Great noodles and I had to have two orders for myself of the Puto Bumbong :)

The delivery of their 2200 day old chicks was done Nov 3 late evening, Sunday dawn, that was the time when typhoon Kabayan was going to cross Northern Luzon! Saturdays find me toxic that I didn't hear of any typhoon until the two chick vans were off to deliveries late Saturday pm and we had time to listen to news on TV.

I checked with them Monday about how Kabayan was and she replied the winds were super strong but it passed Baguio already. I wondered why no mention of the Sunshines. Well...always..."no news is good news".

We really planned to go up to visit that grower as we never met. Transactions were by phone and we want to make sure everyone succeeds in the raising. They practiced with some 500 chicks before and were able to dispose.

Going back to lunch....so we were discussing about the typhoon, strong winds, how they sleep with the chicks during the brooding time. The grower was a veterinarian. So we were not too scared with the Sunshines in her hands :) Then off we went 6km from the City to visit the 1week old chicks.

You go up and up roads, less winding but more UP, thinking the vehicles in this area must really by well maintained as you feel like getting ready for a rollercoaster ride! We were not prepared for this:

The property was like in the highest peak! The boundaries are the cliffs. Everythings else you see around was like lower than you. We can just imagine the winds here during storms. How they were during Kabayan...We were excitedly scared walking towards the building, not knowing how they are in that temperature.

I didn't change to boots anymore and they just provided stepping stones as the area was still a little muddy...

SURPRISE! You see cute 2000+ chicks, healthy, vaccinated at day3, being brooded kinda too carefully as it was VERY WARM inside that building. We had to ask them to raise the curtains as we ourselves weren't comfortable already :) I left pretty much of the discussions amongst the vets, while I was taking pictures and enjoying the cool breeze outside.

By 2:30pm we were saying goodbyes after making initial talks about cementing our Baguio connections.

We had to stop by my favorite spot in the Rosario junction....S.O.U.L. Cafe, for my green tea latte :)

Truck Wrap

We are presently working to "wrap" our chick vans.

When they deliver and they can't find you, surely you will spot them.

They will make the Sunshine Mobiles standout, cute utilitarians.

BARF

Yesterday I get a call for day old chicks.

After sometime, I realized he was going to feed the Sunshines to his dogs, as he was following the BARF diet.

He was finding that when he fed his dogs raw industrial chickens, they develop skin problems.

After going through the blog and speaking over the phone, I believe he was convinced that the Sunshines will be good for human consumption TOO :)

I Can't Attend The Seminar, Can I Speak With You?

We are reachable by phone, email, YM.

On Saturdays and Sunday, we are at AANI FTI Weekend Market and AANI Herbal Garden and Livelihood Center. We are able to speak up close with you and tackle your concerns about raising.

The AANI people are also equipped to assist you in your queries and are able to accept bookings directly.

Every 4th Sunday of the month, we are at the Agri Kapihan.

If you can't attend seminars because of distance, form a group of interested people. Let's talk. We might be able to do the seminar at your convenience.

Sunshines in Mambukal

I got this email last night from jovilac:

Hello Sandy,

Here are pictures of the shines when they were 2 weeks old confined in a brooder
pen. And the succeeding pix were taken earlier this morning on range. Aged 1 month
and 5 days. I feel sad about the 7 shines that were killed by a wildcat from the day
we started letting them out on range. It was not a one time attack, the wildcat
would prey on one or two shines and be back after 2 or 3 days. It would be
impossible for my caretaker to guard them the whole day. So i'm looking for a way to
trap the elusive varmint before another shine falls victim. I enjoy seeing the
shines running around the range area.

Best regards

They really look happy where they are. Should be making family's and close friends' dinner tables in December.

I asked him the difference of the gamefowls and the Sunshines on the range:

Gamefowls are more active on range. They run around and roost on trees. Thats why
varmints have a little hard time preying on them, except for the weaklings that are
easier to catch. The shines are a little bit sluggish, and loves to rest under the
shade after feeding. They become perfect targets for wildcats. Each night, my
caretaker would gather them and place them on a safety brooder cage to keep them
safe from varmints.

FREE SEMINAR 18 November 2007

WHAT: FREE SEMINAR on Raising Sunshine Chicken
WHERE: Rare Fruits Nursery
Fil-Am Friendship Hiway, Circumferential Rd.
Angeles City, Pampanga
(Infront of VM David Car Center)
TIME: 10am

You may contact Vern Reyes (0917) 511-1009 for details

Everyone is welcome to join.

Good opportunity to gain confidence in hearing that your simple, back to basic ideas are doable. The rare fruit trees in the nursery will be interesting too.

How To Order?

This merits to be part of FAQ.

Go through the "PRICES and AVAILABILITY" on the left side of the blog.

For pick up of products in any of our outlets, there is NO MINIMUM purchase and no need to prepay. You can pay when you pick up your Sunshines.

For orders that we can deliver on our normal routes, we can do COD transactions.

Orders that require air cargo space, we suggest you book with us one (1) week in advance so we can assure cargo space on 1st flights.

We will require minimum of one (1) box of 100 day old chicks for orders to be shipped by air and prepaid transactions. Additional cost for handling and freight will depend on number of boxes ordered.

Payments may be sent to our BPI account.

Fruit Festival at AANI

There is an ongoing Fruit Festival at AANI Herbal Garden and Livelihood Center.

People have been visiting the area as the fruits are below market prices and fresh as supplies are replenished often.

The crowd drawer are the Durians at php80/kilo.

Agri Kapihan 25 November 2007

WHEN: 25 November 2007, 8-11am, but people start coming in earlier.
WHERE: Courtyard of DWWW 774 (AM radio), 23 E Rodriguez near corner D. Tuazon, QC

Everyone is invited. No entrance fee. Coffee is free, seminars are free. Booths are tended by people who can answer your questions.

See you there.

PS While on your way to Agri Kapihan, listen to Kaunlaran sa Agrikultura, or KSA for short.

Short Weekend for Me

Supposed to be a long weekend for all...I look at it as a short weekend.

Weekend starts Fridays when we get prepared for the AANI market booths, hatchery on Saturdays and Kaunlaran sa Agrikultura for Sunday mornings.

Holiday or not, that is the schedule. I was just asked a minute ago "so you don't rest?".... I replied "Oh, I enjoy what I am doing"!

We are now planning to start schedules on hatching 2x a week, to be able to serve the needs of various growers.

See you at the market tomorrow :)

Still a Holiday

The past days have seen the PCARRD FORUM down. Am sure that like me, there are hundreds out there addicted to this message board. Let's hope they solve any new problems they have in electricity or hardwares.

My luxury in life are "long nails" :) For those who've met me, make-up, colognes, clothes etc aren't what makes me tick. My nails and desserts wake me up BIGTIME.

Last couple of weeks had been hectic. Thank you for a holiday and that gives me time to do my nails at CANS before the most enjoyable busy weekends again.

Is there a place where we can clone ourselves? Sunday finds us choosing amongst important TO DOs.

I will just think of problems on shortage in manpower tomorrow :)

1st Test Had To Be The Mom Of Bingbong

The 1st days of my PCARRD forum life, saw my interactions with Bingbong (who I thought was male!) and Tj.

Tj and I would always talked about how women, moreso, older women...simply just KNOW by looks, feel and touch.

Bingbong spoke about her mom wouldn't have it any otherway but native chicken. Once, mom and Bing saw how Tj was dressing his Sunshines for delivery. He had none to spare, so the taste test wasn't meant to be yet.

Couple of days ago, I spoke w/ Bing while she was visiting Tj.

Today, I get this text from her, verbatim (I guess she got some Sunshines then):

Had my 1st taste of sunshine chickns last wkend, it was a big hit s boys, hubby & my dad & the ever choosy mom namin. Regular tinola & sinampalukan lng & they craving for more. Jst want to let you know that it passed the pihikan test. Bing

Am sure Farmer TJ is so pleased and rewared for his efforts at giving his customers good tasting and healthy chickens :)

Agri Kapihan 28Oct07

It was a first for me to attend the real Agri Kaphan. What I know are the ones at AANI Herbal Garden and Livelihood Center every 1st Sunday of the month.

Attendance was very good, but everyone was saying that there was an abnormal low number of attendees that they attribute to the very long weekend.

I took pictures of where they postioned us, right by the entrance, under a tree, part of the pocket garden. Nice area actually. You will see the day old chicks :), AANI booth with Tony Rola captured on the right side (mangga_gamot), and the ATOVI gang.

I waited to take photos of the Agri Kapihan proper, when we were to do the seminar.

Joseph and Audrey of Sun Field Chicken arrived :).....

Some company make you totally forget about tasks.

The seminar was good. People are slowly, starting to understand that F1 chickens are broilers and not breeding materials.

This Replaces Dessert

Just finished dinner of Inihaw na Sunshine (just do a salt and pepper rub, leave it for about 30mins, then broil it over live coals, adjust height to achieve that low temperature, slow cooking).



Printing invoices for deliveries, sitting infront of the monitor...I get this email from Tessie of Davao. She sent these pictures of her three (3) batches.

I forgot my craving for a Latte.

Sunshines are brownred, not black :)

Click this to read Zac Sarian's column in the Agriculture section of Manila Bulletin today

We were featured. Thank you. But...I wonder where they got the photo shown???

As you can see all over the photos on this blog, Sunshine Chickens are brownred. Once in a while there may be a different color, may be due to genetic throwbacks, but those will be exceptions.

Good thing I will see Zac tomorrow during the Agri Kapihan. I hope to get an answer :)

My Leche Flan

Sandy's Leche Flan
Ingredients:
• 1 C carabao's milk or goat's milk
• 1 C coco sugar
• 6 whole eggs from grass fed, pastured hens
• 4 whole calamansi or 1 whole dayap, do not squeeze, just take out seeds
Directions:
In a bowl, combine milk, sugar, eggs and calamansi or dayap (including the rind). Mash the ingredients using clean hands, do not beat the mixture. After you have mixed it well, remove calamansi or dayap and any seeds that may have been left. Set aside. Using 4 llaneras, put some coco sugar in each and set on top of stove one at a time, over low heat. As it melts, tip the llanera side to side to coat the bottom. Set aside to cool. Pour egg mixture into the 4 llaneras, cover with aluminum foil. Put llaneras in a bigger pan. Pour water until it reaches almost halfway through the height. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 20-30 mins or until firm.If you have no oven, cook in a steamer for 30-45 mins. Check after 30 mins if done.

I like adding grated Dayap rind just before steaming.

The touch of mint gives a wonderful flavour, though some people don't like it. Instead of Dayap or Kalamansi, you may get fresh mint leaves and have it as you mash the ingredients. Take out the mashed mint leaves. Then before steaming, top with fresh leaves.

I Like To Smile To Start The Day

Yes, I know....no pictures again from that very pleasant night with Adora and Kathy of MX 97.7....and that made me "smile" now.

George of Tavern Murano made that good Baked Sunshine again. The other dish he created was a crunchy one with peanut sauce he made from scratch. He showed us the sauce...he said olive oil or was it butter?, peanuts plus other things that skipped me now. I didn't care as he was talking as I was busy relishing the morsels. You will ask for extra bread to scrape the last traces of that Peanut Sauce.

Last night had us having dinner at Kambingan ni Mang Ali. He made soup, simply boiled with lemongrass. That as really good. The other one was a favorite the last time, the inihaw with just salt and pepper rub.

On both nights I came well equipped with my charged camera. Next time, should hang it around my neck so I remember it when soup gets to it.

Looking Forward to a Dinner of Good Sunshine MX

After we had that very good Baked Sunshine by George of Tavern Murano, I thought about Kathy of MX 97.7. She had been doing my radio ads and tags.

Sent her a message last week and invited her to have chicken dinner.

That is tonight. I hope to really remember to take photos!

St, Mary's New Rangers in Cebu Mountains

See how excited they are to be free. They are really meant to be set on the range, let loose to forage and play around. Happy chickens give us good tasting meat :)

They also got their first batch of island borns, see the photo of the new day olds.....as the importeds are set out, the new batch goes in :)

AGRI KAPIHAN 28OCT

Everyone is invited to join the Agri Kapihan on 28 October at the DWWW 774 compound, 23 E. Rodriguez (near corner D. Tuazon).

It is held every 4th Sunday of the month, 8-11am, but most people come real early. Good opportunity for you to meet the Kaunlaran sa Agrikultura hosts (Nina Manzanares-Agu, Tony Rola and Zac Sarian) and the rest of the KSA family.

There are FREE seminars held during the event. Topics for 28 October, among others, will be:

1) Raising Sunshine Chickens by Dr. Rey Itchon

2) Use of Biozome, Micronutrients Fertilizer by Antonio Lucero Jr.

Agricultural products will be available during the Agri Kapihan.

See you there!

While you are on your way there, don't forget to stay tuned to Kaunlaran sa Agrikultura DWWW 774 AM radio, every Sunday, 4:30-7:30am

Tavern Murano's Baked Sunshine

My favorite Italian restaurant in Santiago City, Tavern Murano, made us Sunshine Chicken done three (3) ways.

I gave him full authority on what to do. I just said : No artificial seasonings, low fire, slow cooking.

First came two dishes. Both had serving sizes pieces. One was like sauteed/braised with carrots and raisins. Second one was with fresh wild mushrooms.

Both were not really what I will ask for again, but the things is, the natural taste of chicken stood out. Flavors didn't masque the taste of the meat.

The piece de resistance came...whole baked Sunshine Chicken in a bed of chunky potatoes.

George came by to say he was amazed at how the chicken felt even when uncooked. Not slimey at all, soft to the touch, no fishy smell at all, the innards looked tender and clean.

He looked at us bite into our baked Sunshine.....really great taste! Then he said he boiled it in very little water. About 15 mins, turning it around often, releasing the fat from the Sunshine, w/c was minimal as he said. Then transferred the Sunshine to a baking dish with a bed of potato chunks. Poured the minimal liquid he had left from the pan. George of Tavern Murano baked it, very low fire....letting the natural juice cook the Sunshine and the potatoes.

Not a pinch of salt, nor other seasonings. As we both said.... "NADA"! He said he baked it the French way.

That I have to ask about :)

He and his wife Joy didn't have dinner with us, but he made sure he had servings for them set aside. He asked his red wine to be brought to us, and we enjoyed a glass to cap our meal.

I just realized....I forgot to take photos again. Good meals make me...

Inihaw and Tinola of Ali

The testing cook texted this yesteday at about 5pm yesterday:

Ok Sunshine Chicken. Mabango at masarap lasa ng tinola ko. Pa taste test ko tinola sa mga customers ko dito. Ewan ko lang yung inasal

By 6:30pm, we were having our bowl of Tinola at his eatery and a plate of inihaw. I like my Tinola better using lemongrass. His inihaw using just salt and pepper was great. I guess the key was using more black pepper :)

Ali of "Kambingan ni Mang Ali", followed my suggestion for cooking. Low fire, slow cooking.

Verdict: the chicken didn't require more cooking time as expected, it retained its original size and didn't shrink, taste was perfect chicken w/o needing artificial seasonings.

He called friends to try out his recipes. By 7:30, the table behind us was enjoying the inihaw na manok, sans msg. There was no need for the sawsawan! That group was composed of chinese guys who loves and knows what they eat :)

I meant to take photos, right? But my hands were busy eating, exctedly listening to comments, decided to take in a couple of drinks...ayun, nagsisisi now why I forgot to take pics.

PS: My Sunshine tagalog radio ad had Ali doing the main character's part. Now, he can do another radio ad con gusto. You can't sell what you don't know and believe in.

How to brood your Solraya's Sunshine Chicks

BROODING THE BIRDS: By practice, use one (1) watt per bird for heating bulbs. It is better to use several bulbs in smaller wattages, rather than using a100watt bulb when you brood 100 chicks. Temperature should be 70 to 75oF with the temperature at chicks’ level to be 95oF during the first week. The area assigned to these chicks should have some flexibility such that they can move through a range of temperatures (95 to 75oF). Monitor the birds for signs of stress; for instance, if the chicks are scattered around the area and chirping loudly, chances are they are hot; conversely, if you notice the chicks all huddled together in one area, they are likely cold . They should be comfortably scattered, moving around. That is your basis that temperature is right. The temperatures given are just guides. USE YOUR EYES to monitor them. At the end of Week 1, begin dropping the temperature by 5oF per week until you reach 70oF, and then try to maintain that temperature.

One common mistake: When the breeze is cold or the wind is strong, most people have this misconception about wrapping the brooders with curtains or laminated sacks. That builds up ammonia fast inside and no fresh air is circulated. Remember that fresh air comes from below and hot air escapes at the top. If you will drape a curtain around the brooder, leave space below for air entry and keep the top (roof) open. If the Sunshines are cold, add more bulbs to keep them warm. Scatter bulbs to even heat around. 1watt per bird is just a guide, you may use more as needed.

Best gauge: How we feel is also how they feel. If you walked into their brooding room feeling warm and gasping for air....so do they!

WATER AND FEEDS: The most neglected and overlooked nutrient is water. What appears to be a bowl of “clean water;” may contain millions of bacteria. The bacteria will stress the digestive system of the bird, such that it will not grow at the rate believed to be their potential. The waterers and feeders should be cleaned routinely (weekly or sooner) with a product like chlorine to reduce the incidence of microbial formation. Fresh water needs to be supplied everyday to insure healthy birds. During the periods of extreme heat, there is an increased risk of microbial growth.
We suggest using probiotics/vitamins in their drinking water, and adlibitum feeding of chick booster for the 1st 21days, prior to ranging. Make sure feeding trays are NEVER EMPTY. Medicate only when necessary.

VACCINATIONS: Day 7 - B1 B1; Day 14 - B1 La Sota

Here are samples of styles of brooding. Let's work on what is available and easy for your requirements. What is important is that the system is one that works for you, so feeding and cleaning is not a task but an enjoyable way to bond w/ your Sunshines.


Remember, aside from Doc Rey, we have veterinarians to assist, we are very accessible by cellphones and landline calls that are forwarded to us (NO COST TO YOU), email, YM etc... Let us keep in touch always so we can monitor. We do farm visits for FREE. What is important is we are able to grow the Sunshines properly. Happy customers, means success to all of us.

Tinola, Inihaw and Nilaga in Santiago

You know the saying that "Hindi tinatangkilik ang propeta sa sa sariling bayan"?

Sad to say the Sunshines are not patronized where we are based. We are only able to distribute here about 10% of our total produce.

Neighboring provinces are growing Sunshines...uh uh but not Isabela, Santiago City in particular.

But then, your best allies are good words. It eventually spread to Santiago that our Sunshines tastes great! And....maybe friends of friends asked family members about the Sunshines.

Now, the family started getting interested. To cut the story, we asked a brother-in-law to cook three Sunshines for dinner later. His gameplan, cook it however he wants and he may ask his friends to try.

I hope to take a peek later at the taste testing and not be shy to take pictures.

SunField

He says that will be the brand of their chickens. Sun Field nor Sunfield?. Neither am I sure if it will be sold as roasted chickens or just dressed to consumers.

Catchy name, and nice signature too that they use when posting in the PCARRD forums:

SUNFIELD Chicks
All Natural Old Fashioned Home Grown
FRESH PASTURED CHICKEN

Right time at the right place!

I Think I Got It

Following is an email and my reply. He has read the blog and the PCARRD forum, but wanted clarification on some things. If it wasn't clear to him, then it may not be clear to some of us too. Publishing this might be helpful to others.

>
> So for the 1st 21days: I will give Probiotics na Anilov SP
YOU CAN USE ANY PROBIOTICS SA MARKET. WE PERSONALLY USE ANILOV AND IT IS
AVAILABLE FROM US.

and adlib of
> chick booster. Tama ba? And is it right that the chicken boosters are the
> feeds? dun ako nalito e.
YES ADLIB OF CHICK BOOSTER. THEIR TRAYS SHOULD NEVER BE EMPTY. REFILL IN
SMALL AMOUTS OFTEN

>
> Then starting the 21st day I will give Bio100 chick booster and Anilov
> Performance.
WE PERSONALLY GIVE UNMEDICATED FEEDS. PERO KUNG WALA AVAILABLE SA AREA
NYO, YOU CAN USE BIO200. WE ARE NOW WORKING WITH A FEED COMPANY FOR
MAKING AVAILABLE UNMEDICATED FEEDS NATIONWIDE.
>
> Then I read that kung konting heads lang naman, no need for vaccinations.
> 8 lang sakin so no need na talaga dba sandy?
8 BINILI MO NA SUNSHINES? IKAW BA YUNG NAGDALA SA PANGASINAN? IT IS
SUGGESTED THAT YOU VACCINATE. PERO SA NUMBER OF HEADS MO, BAKA SABIHIN MO
MAHAL KUNG BIBILI KA NG VACCINE. KUNG NASA ISABELA KA LANG, WE HAVE A
PATAK CENTER, WE VACCINATE AND CHARGE PER HEAD.
>
> I really appreciate your guidance and patience! paki correct na lang kung
> may mali ako. thanks a lot!
I APPRECIATE YOUR QUESTIONS TOO, KASI WE WANT A HAND HOLDING RELATIONSHIP
PARA WE CAN ALL LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER.

No More Bookings for the Importeds

We are no longer accepting bookings as we just have enough stocks for our displays. Walk in customers will be served depending on availability. Clients who have reserved and confirmed pick-up dates will be served.

Thank you for your response.

We will continue to work hard to give back the support we got from our growers. Advertising and information disemination is geared towards consumer awareness, which will translate to more customers for our loyal growers.

Our PR team is busy in planning to make events to help our growers.

Dealers nationwide will be fully assisted.

Island borns are available starting October 20 hatch and weekly thereafter.

Kaunlaran sa Agrikultura, DWWW 774

We were invited to Kaunlaran sa Agrikultura, a radio show at DWWW 774, every 4:30-7:30am Sundays.

This is hosted by NinaManzanares-Agu, Tony Rola and Zac Sarian. Very enjoyable as it has fast paced interaction amongst guests/hosts, unscripted, and informative to listeners from the phoned in questions.

We look forward to be active in this radio show and during the Agri Kapihan every 4th Sunday of the month, DWWW, 23 E. Rodriguez near corner D. Tuazon.

How Do You Know You Are Getting Real "Solraya's Sunshine Day Old Chicks"?

BOXES: We only use BRAND NEW chick boxes, marked Solraya's Sunshine Colored Chicks on the top cover, with our logo and addresses on the sides of the body of the box.


Our chick boxes are designed to transport 100 day old chicks. It is well ventilated and stackable for volume orders.

We seal them during deliveries.

Our dealers/poultry supply stores are advised to display the empty box atop their brooders to identify our products.

Be wary of recycled chick boxes used for delivering your chicks. You don't know where the boxes nor the chicks came from. They may infect your flock.

DEALERS: You may coordinate with us and we refer you to the dealer in your area. We monitor their deliveries and orders, so we can refer you to a dealer who we know have bonafide Solraya's Sunshine Chicks available.

UNIFORMS: Please deal only with our personnel. All of us sport the same uniforms, with the Solraya logo and the Solraya's Sunshine Chicken patch. We are properly identified when making deliveries, during shows and when doing farm visits.


CONTACT: You may call (02) 417-1800 or (0917) 847-2639 for information on our dealers or the source in your areas.

Solraya's Sunshine Day Old Chicks PHP38

Our hatches for October13 and October15 are almost fully booked.

Starting the hatching date of October20, we will be having the Solraya's Sunshine Day Old Chicks at PHP38.

Weekly hatching for now. In November, we will start to hatch 2x a week :)

Thank you for the support everyone had given the Solraya team.

We assure you we look after our customers. Our PR team has started with Agrilink. They are now working on awareness for the consumers.

Solraya will do it the other way. Build consumer awareness on the benefits of eating right. Propping up our clients. We take the backseat in promotion.

We will target the end users for you. Surely, at the end, there will be a good relationship as everyone will be happy.

You will get back the support from us!

Tessie ng Davao

The original transacation was done by the Mr who said he will be out of town and that Mrs will pick up at airport. That was history. Since then, txts, updates and orders have been done by Tessie.


We both are excitedly monitoring her babies.

Sunshine Soon in Cebu :)

"Hi,
It's been 9 days since I first received my first
100 sunshine chicks and was so happy to have them.

As I have sent you thru sms, I lost 1 that was
pressed between the box partition and i'ts base but
generally all the chicks were healthy and lively(pls
see attached pictures).

Nine days after their arrival, the chicks have
grown much livelier and even jumps higher now.

As per our last communication, I'm planning to
order 100 heads(starting with your 1st local born)
every 21 days or as soon as the latest batch are out
of their coop or as they are started to be ranged. I
just want to utilise the vast range area available in
our farm(pls see pics).

And also I'm starting to evaluate the economics of
raising these organic and healthy chickens and plans
to market them here in Cebu, hope you can send me some
infos and or datas which might help me realise their
economic potentials(liveweight price,farm
price,dressed price per kilo,etc...). You have also
mentioned that manual dressing is best,can you send me
also the proper procedure to do them until it's
packing for market so that it's freshness will be
preserved.

Hope you can also send me some valuable tips which
I might find useful in commercially raising healthy
sunshine chickens.

Regards and God bless."


Wouldn't you like to wake up to a text informing that you got an email like this?

AANI FTI Weekend Market

Due to inquiries and requests from clients in the South, we have made arrangements with AANI FTI Weekend Market for a booth.

We are very accessible, beside the parking area and right beside the gate of the AANI FTI Annex.

The booth will be manned every Saturday and Sunday from 6am-3pm.

Seminars will be conducted there too.

Check out AANI FTI Weekend Market as posted in my favorite food blog

Agrilink 2007 - Good Coming Out

We were not prepared for the response we would be getting during Agrilink 2007.

The pictures shown were taken before opening time on Oct4 and some snatches on the last day as I can't let go of the proper theme of the Solraya and SASSO booths, at the same crossroad, under the arc of the French Pavilion :)

Right after opening on Oct4, Zac Sarian, Editor of Manila Bulletin came to us to say he featured us in that day's issue. He wanted to interview for an article. Much as I wanted to get engaged in more talk w/ Mr. Sarian, I just can't with all the people around the booth.

The cocktails that night for the French Pavilion was really a break. Too bad TJ and company had to leave as they were delivering early the next day.

We were so busy entertaining inquiries for all three days.

Friday was the 1st seminar schedule. Jop and I got to the seminar area thinking that the preceding talk was not yet done. Good thing I asked registration what time she exected that we came back. She said people were just waiting for the "Sunshine" seminar to start! There we were lugging our laptop, tarps etc. Jop hanged everything pronto, I called for Louis (SASSO), Doc Rey and TJ as they were the speakers. The room we thought was full, soon became SRO. The organizers had to turn down people from entering :( No time to even take photos of that event.

There were four of us to man Agrilink and we were assisted by three members from Krukukuk Farm. I remember just eating a single cookie for the whole of Friday. Thank you very much to Raiza, Jop and TJ. I can't miss Mary and my PR team of Mitos and Margie.

We enjoyed this whole experience tremendously. Glad to have had SASSO booth right across from the aisle. There was a symbiotic relationship formed and it was as if we were one big booth.

The photos will not show how chaotic and enjoyable the three days were for us....but then, trust my words...they were!

Sushines in Bacolod's jovilac

You've been feeling under the sheets since yesterday. Million of errands today and dinner tonight. One of your veterinarians for the Agrilink team calls to say she is also down with the flu. Surely that won't make the day off!

Thanks to internet, you can work in bed surrounded by your Tuseran, Kleenex, bottles of juice, Durian...

Moment I saw email from jovilac, it had to be the FIRST:

I'm happy to receive them in good condition. The first seven pix was taken at my
house when i checked them, just minutes upon arrival at bacolod airport. They were
chirping aloud for feeds. The last two pix was taken at the farm, each 25 chicks
have their own brooder cage as seen in the pix. Maybe i'll keep them there for a
week then get them down the brooder ground which is compose of riversand. Then range
them off to my pasture area when they reach 21 days as advised. The weather up my
farm was real bad today. Strong winds was blowing from morning till late afternoon
when i left. Some parts of my range area were damaged by trees being uprooted by
loose soil and furious winds. Hope they survive the extremities.

Best regards

Saw why? :)



They were checked from all angles and even made to do quarter turns for Jovilac's Unico Sunshine Circle.

Can't Complain

You travelled 8hrs Friday pm to catch Saturday morning errands in Manila, release of Sunshine day old chicks, prepared invoices, dispatched two separate drivers to different areas, sent yourself to deliver southbound,napped to make AANI meetings, went home for a quick change for more meetings.

How can you complain when you get calls with happily chirping Sunshines in the background, texts of contented clients, text from a dressing Farmer TJ :) and an email of these pics.

The photos were taken of 49days old Sunshines in Roxas City.

Agrilink 2007 Schedules

AGRILINK/FOODLINK/AQUALINK 2007 - seminars are FREE
As of Sept. 27, 2007

Day 1: October 4, 2007 – Thursday
(Venue: Lobby, World Trade Center Metro Manila)

7:00 am Welcome/Arrival of Guests

8:00 am Main Program

Invocation
by: Col. Alejandro Escaño
President, PCAFI

National Anthem

Welcome Remarks
by: Mr. Steven Cua
Chairperson, AgriLink/FoodLink/Aqualink 2007

Introduction of Keynote Speaker
by: Ms. Dulce I. Gozon
Chairman, Foundation for Resource Linkage and
Development, Inc.

Keynote Speech
by: Hon. Arthur C. Yap
Secretary, Department of Agriculture
Represented by: Atty. Bernie G. Pondevilla
Undersecretary & Chief of Staff, Dept. of Agriculture

8:45 Cutting of the Ribbon
Led by: Secretary Arthur C Yap
(Represented by: Atty. Bernie G. Fondevilla)
Dir. Malcolm L. Sarmiento, BFAR
Representative AbrahamKahlil B. Mitra
Representative Alfredo D. Marañon III
His Excellency Gerard Chesnel, Ambassador of France
His Excellency Robert G. Brinks, Ambassador of the
Netherlands


His Excellency Peter Beckingham, Ambassador of
Great Britain
His Excellency Gregoire Vardakis, Ambassador of
Belgium

Assisted by: Mr. Steven Cua
FRLD Board of Directors,
Co-organizers

9:00 – 12:00pm Tour of Exhibits

12:00 - 2:00 pm VIP Lunch (by invitation)
(Venue: Skyline Restaurant, Mezzanine)

Special Events
(Venue: Lobby, WTCMM)

1:00 – 3:00 pm Product Launching
by: Univet Nutritional & Animal Healthcare Co. (UNACHO)

3:30 – 5:00 pm Cooking Demonstrations
by: Organic Producers Trade Assoc. (OPTA)

Day 2: October 5, 2007 – Friday

Seminars
(Venue: Hall A, WTCMM)

10:30 am – 5:00pm Management of Sows & Piglets
Growing the Future – Richel Greenhouses
Raising Sunshine, Free-Ranged, Grass-Fed Pasture Poultry 2:30-4pm
By: French Le Club/FCC
Venue: Seminar Room I

10:30am – 12:30pm How to Start a Meat Section in Small-and Medium Sized Supermarkets
By: Meat Importers Traders Association
Venue: Seminar Room 2

Monitoring & Evaluating the Socio-Economic Impact of BT Corn in the Philippines
by: Monsanto Philippines
Venue: Seminar Room 3

1:00pm – 3:00pm Nutritional Strategies to Prevent Scouring in Piglets
Biosecurity Measures during Disease Outbreak
By: Univet Nutritional & Animal Healthcare Co. (UNACHO)
Venue: Seminar Room 2

Technological Trends in Organic Farming and
International Organic Certification
By: Herbana Farms
Venue: Seminar Room 3

3:30 – 5:30 pm The Essentials of Managing Common Pig
Diseases at Herd Level
By: San Miguel Foods Inc.
Venue: Seminar Room 2

High Productivity as a Result of an Optimum Climate.
By: SKOV A/S
Venue: Seminar Room 3


Special Events
(Venue: Lobby, WTCMM)

10:30am – 5:00pm Whole Day Affair
Sponsored by: San Miguel Foods, Inc.
(B-Meg,. Monterey Foods Corp., Poultry Div. And
San Miguel Animal Health Care)

7:00 pm – 12:00 mn Appreciation Night (by invitation)
(Venue: Hall A, WTCMM)




Day 3: October 6, 2007 – Saturday

Seminars
(Venue: Hall A, WTCMM)

10:30 am – 12:30 pm Supplying Fresh Produce to the Supermarkets
By: Phil. Amalgamated Supermarket Assoc.
Venue: Seminar Room I

Pangasius World Trends & Management Opportunities
by: Vitarich Corporation
Venue: Seminar Room 2

Indigenous Plants for Health & Wellness
Nutraceuticals & Cosmeceuticals from Food Plants: Wellness Meets Beauty
Essential Oils
Malungay for Wellness and Business
By: Bureau of Agricultural Research
Venue: Seminar Room 3

1:00 – 3:30 pm All About Herbs (Medicinal Herbs and Culinary Herbs)
By: AANI
Venue: Seminar Room 1

Temperature Management During Handling of Fresh Produce
Ensuring Quality and Safety of Fresh Produce in Supermarkets
By: Postharvest Horticulture Training & Research
Venue: Seminar Room 3

1:00 – 5:30 pm Phil. Fisheries Investment Environment
Ornamental Fish Raising
Farming of Abalone, Seahorse and Sea Cucumber
Farming of Sea Urchin
Modular Cage Farming of Bangus
Pond Polyculture of Caranx, Grouper, Red Snapper and Siganid with Bangus
Farming of Red Tilapia
By: Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources
Venue: Seminar Room 2


3:30 – 5:30 pm Economics of Goat Raising
Goat and Sheep Marketing
Forage and Pasture Development
Health and Nutrition
By: Fed. Of Goat and Sheep Producers and Assoc. of the Philippines Inc.
Venue” Seminar Room I

The Organic Challenge:
The Baras Town, Rizal Achievement in Becoming the 1st Organic Town in the Philippines
Updates in the Organic and Slowfood Movements
Earthworms in Your Organic Farm
By: Organic Producers Trade Assoc.
Venue: Seminar Room 3

Special Events
(Venue: Lobby, WTCMM)

10:30 am – 12 nn Agri-Kapihan Forum SUNSHINE CHICKEN RAISING
By: Agri-Aqua Network International

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Cooking Demonstration: Megarantisadong Sarap
By: Mega Fishing

3:30pm – 5:00 pm Cooking Demonstration: Application of Organic Fiber in Meat Processing for Value Added Products
By: Bureau of Animal Industry

Seminars of the French Pavilion
Agrilink – Foodlink 2007
Seminar room 1

Friday, 5th of October 10.30am – 12.00am
Proposed Topic Title:
Management of Sows & Piglets
Brief Description of
Proposed Topic:
Management of Sows & Piglets- it mainly includes key points to improve Swine Herds Profitability.
Profile of Speaker:
Dr. John Behan Qual: B.Sc(Hons), MSc (Distinction), PhD.
Family owned 3000 sows. Studied General Agriculture degree then specialized in Reproduction.
MSc - Genetics / reproduction specialized in Assisted Reproduction initial PhD studied reproductive
/ ethological behavior in swine. About to submit 2nd PhD on reproductive physiology at the Royal
Veterinary College. Owned three AI centres – sold 500k doses of semen in UK / Ireland - per
annum, first in UK to partner abbatoir.
Sold company to consortium in 2005. Consulted in over 15 countries for over 10 years -
troubleshooting reproduction. Author of many articles in various magazines.

Friday, 5th of October 1.00pm – 2.30pm
Proposed Topic Title:
GROWING THE FUTURE - RICHEL GREENHOUSES
Brief Description of
Proposed Topic:
Presentation of greenhouses benefits and systems
Profile of Speakers:
Julien Fitte - Richel Pacific Sales Manager
Arnold Andaya – Island Roses Philippines
Dustin Andaya – Island Roses Philippines

Friday, 5th of October 2.30pm – 4.00pm
Proposed Topic Title:
RAISING SUNSHINE, FREE-RANGED, GRASS-FED PASTURE POULTRY
Brief Description of
Proposed Topic:
How to care for your Sunshine free-range chicks from day one, free range stage until harvest.
Profile of Speaker/s:
Rey B. Itchon, DVM

Mambukal Resort

Can you wonder how the Sunshines taste when eaten in this scenario? You are relaxed and totally out of your body here.

Coming soon to the Bacolod folks :)

July21 Dressed

Tj's dressed Sunshines look good. Average dressed weight delivered to his end users was at 1.4k

He will be joining us during the Agrilink seminars scheduled for Oct 5 & 6; Farmer TJ's Chickens will be available then.

Gamefowl Person Questions #2

Follow up to a previous email:)


>
> Ok i agree... so its parang gamefowls din pala... i use bmeg all the
> way... regarding vaccinations... u mentioned sa blog na u vaccinate with
> b1b1 and la sota only... paano yan when i give complete vaccinations sa
> gamefowls ko and they co-exist in one farm... i vaccinate b1b1, fowl pox,
> la sota, gumburo, coryza, and NCD-killed...
WHEN YOU ARE AT THE DAY THAT YOU WILL VACCINATE THE GAMEFOWLS, THEN VACCINATE YOUR SUNSHINES FOR WHATEVER. YOU WILL HARVEST IN 60-90DAYS ANWAY, DEPENDING ON YOUR WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS, SO YOUR SUNSHINES WON'T BE GETTING ALL THE VACCINES.

>
> Ah ok, so thats your secret formula. I wish i could invest on my own feed
> mill and mix my own feeds... these commercial feed suppliers keeps our
> pockets empty.
NO SECRET FORMULA. ON THE OTHERHAND, WE JUST WENT BACK TO BASICS. FOR 100 HEADS, YOU CAN JUST ASK FARMHELP TO DO THAT.

> What other herbs and organic plants would u suggest?
ALL OF THEM. THINK HOW YOU WANT YOUR CHICKEN TO TASTE AND SMELL...THAT'S IT. THEY WILL WANT THEIR CULINARY HERBS TOO :)

> Yes all these conventional veterinary companies are polluting the minds of
> poultry practitioners to practice unnecessary antibiotic flushings and
> overkill antibiotic treatments to reach their quotas... we just have to
> outsmart them so to speak!
>
> Oops i deleted the Manny and Pachie statement - being a Chicken Thef Cum
> ... what was that all about ... please save me from being featured in
> their magz. I dont wanna be a part of it.
THE PART ABOUT MANNY AND PACHIE WAS A JOKE. NO WORRIES.

Gamefowl Person Question

This is an exchange of email this morning. When I get orders from gamefowl enthusiasts, i don't get the normal questions :)


> Sorry, i finally read the faqs on the blog... interesting but there are
> some specific questions that i would like to raise... pardon me if i'm
> being kulit

NOT MAKULIT AT ALL...AT LEAST YOUR QUESTIONS ARE DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS.
>
> May i know the brand of your chick booster? or anything that u would
> recommend that is not so expensive for a trial use but of good quality.
> thanks
THAT IS WHEN THE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS COME IN, AFTER READING THE BLOG. FUNNY BUT NEVER WAS I ASKED ABOUT WHAT IS THE CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE. ALWAYS WAS "WHAT IS THE BEST I CAN GIVE"?

WE PERSONALLY USE A CUSTOM MIXED CHICK BOOSTER. MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE REGULAR COMMERCIAL FEEDS. FOR COMMERCIAL FEEDS, GO BMEG, GENERAL, PURINA
DON'T SCRIMP ON CHICK BOOSTER. JUST LIKE BABIES, HOW HEALTHY WE ARE WILL DEPEND HOW WE WERE RAISED AS KIDS :) THEY NEED TO BE STRONG AS THEY WILL RANGE ON 21DAYS ONWARDS.

BESIDES, I WON'T WANT YOUR TRIAL TO FAIL. THEY CAN BE HARVESTED IN 60-85 DAYS, AND NAMITS, SO YOU WILL FIND THAT THEY RETURN TO YOU WHAT YOU HAVE GIVEN.

>
> IN OUR CASE WE USE A PROTEIN CONCENTRATE W/O ANIMAL PROTEIN AND
> ANTIBIOTICS.
>
> Hmmm, sounds interesting... where can i buy this feed? may i know the
> brand or name of this particular feed? On your blog, u also mentioned
> about probiotics mix to feeds and water. Can u kindly share and enlighten
> me on this. Can i buy this on the market?

WE ASKED A FEED MILL COMPANY TO MIX A PROTEIN CONCENTRATE WITH VITAMINS FOR US. NO ANIMAL PROTEIN, NO ANTIBIOTICS. IT IS A PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, MEANING, WE MIX 1:1 WITH CORN FOR CARBOHYDRATES.

CHRIS MENTIONED YOU GOT OREGANOS AROUND. KEEP THE RANGING AREA ABUNDANT WITH THE HERBS.

YOU CAN ASK YOUR FEED MILL TO MIX THIS FOR YOU. OR LET'S FEED YOUR SUNSHINES WHAT IS ABUNDANT IN YOUR AREA AND SUPPLEMENT THEN AMS AND PMS WITH CARBO.

THE PROBIOTICS WE SELL FOR THE GAMEFOWLS FROM DAY1 TILL KINGDOM COME IS THE SAME PROBITIOCS WE GIVE TO THE SUNSHINES FOR THE 1ST 21DAYS. I WILL ATTACH FILE SO YOU CAN READ. PHP160 PER 120ML, DOSAGE IS 1ML PER LITER OF UNCHLORINATED WATER.

PROBIOTICS ARE IN THE MARKET, BUT HARDLY PUSHED BY THE STORES. YOU CAN GET ONE IN YOUR AREA FOR SURE. IF NEED BE, WE CAN SEND BY COURIER.

JOEY, YOU MAY HAVE TO UNLEARN YOURSELF WITH THE SUNSHINES. MEDICATE ONLY WHEN NECESSARY. NO UNEEDED ANTIBOTIC FLUSHINGS. THAT'S WHY WE WANT THEM HEALTHY FROM DAY1.
>
> WE HAVE A HATCH ON 29SEP FOR SHIPPING ON 30SEP. STILL IMPORTED
>
> Ok, sounds good... my brooders are still vacant ... i'll get that batch
>
> IMPORTED F1S, PHP5500 PER BOX OF 100 PLUS PHP750 FREIGHT, PICK UP AT
> BACOLOD AIRPORT.
>
> I find it expensive, but its worth a try ... is that a special box coz my
> gamefowl box that carries 2 adult roosters and weighs almost 5 kgs shipped
> to manila will cost me less than P500. How many crosses does your F1s
> compose?

NEXT TIME...WE WILL SEE YOU IN PITGAMES, OR SABONG STAR..DUAL CHICKEN GUY CUM CHEF! PAGING MANNY AND PACHIE :)

WE USE TRANSPORT BOXES DESIGNED FOR 100 DAYOLD CHICKS. WELL VENTILATED AND PARTITIONED. BRAND NEW BOXES AS RECYCLED CAN BE CAUSE OF DISEASES. PRINTED TO OUR SPECS, SO OUR BOXES ARE WILL IDENTIFIED. THE ARCHIVES SHOW THOSE BOXES.

YES YOU ARE RIGHT, IT MAY COST ABOUT PHP500, WE ADD ON FOR HANDLING/TRANSPORTING TO AIRPORT/MISC.
>
> Where will i send payment? Please give me details on name, bank, etc...
> I prefer to have the shipment done on PAL's 1st flight to bacolod... cause
> from the airport i will proceed to my farm.

BPI MAGALLANES EDSA
SOLRAYA ENTERPRISES
C/A# 3535-8057-24

ONCE YOU MAKE A DEPOSIT, ADVISE ME. AND I WILL NEED FULL NAME TOO OF PERSON TO PICK UP AT AIRPORT.

BOOKING HAD BEEN CONFIRMED, 1ST FLIGHT TO BACOLOD 30SEP

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU DURING AGRILINK.
>
> Thanks again for your time... hope to hear from u soon.
>
> Joey

Simply A Favorite

There are days when you don't know where to start, because you left off some errands last night and have a million to do today.

I get two emails that made it easier for me:

1) My recipes from my old website. I had to ask my webmaster for the old files (he promised new site will be up before September 2007 ends). Rianne of Camp Farm wanted ideas. She wanted Relleno and Hamonado. I said I will send her my simple recipes. I realized I had a new favorite as it wasn't on that list. Below I will share my new found taste which I picked up from Market Manila site.

2) I got an email from Christopher. We met in a sabong site sometime ago. Small world that his childhood buddies in the neighborhood and now his buddies in Toronto are also good friends of mine in high school and when I am in Toronto. How can I not be glad when his email was inquiring if I knew about free ranged chickens :)

Tinola idea from MM blog

• 1 SUNSHINE chicken, serving sizes
• Water
• 3 stalks lemongrass, tied together
• Ginger
• Fresh ground black pepper
• Fish sauce
• Fresh ampalaya, malunggay or sili leaves

Boil the Sunshine Chicken, lemongrass, ginger and black pepper in enough water to cover. Lower heat when boiling point is reached. Remove the brown film that stays on the top of the water. Cook over low fire. Season with fish sauce. Put the fresh leaves and turn off heat. Cover pot for another 5 mins to steam the fresh leaves. Serve hot.

Davao's Herda Batch#2 at 15days

One leads to the other. After my Durian, I get the emailed photos of from Junipher, the_one (PCARRD boards) in Davao.

See how two chicks weighed in together at 750g.

His 1st batch of harvest went to BBQ stalls in the area. Verdict: firm and tasted like native chicken. His problem now is coping with demand while he is building up his inventory :)

Durian, Joe and Sandy

Yesterday, time allowed me to go to AANI in the morning. A pleasant and inviting scent was in the parking area. It was Durian! People were walking with treasure balls in hand.

I missed the Durian Festival held Saturday???? Good, because it was successful, they decided to coordinate with the fruit growers in Mindanao to extend the affair and make it a Mindanao fruits event.

A nice chat I had with Joe Spooner. We had emailed a couple of times before. He was just inquiring. I think he was just out looking for a market for his organic vegetables and didn't think he will see Sunshine in AANI :)

As we were driving back to Isabela, I got a call from Sandy who lived near the Circle. Vibes told me to drive back to meet her.

I am glad I did :)

Here is this couple, Sandy and Richard, lives in the city and wants to raise for table consumption. They started with the idea when their kids went back from a children's party with chicks as giveaway. The manok eventually gave them table eggs. Then they were introduced to the free ranged chicken via a restaurant in Bataan and owner directed them to us.

One of the few meetings where I don't have to say "We don't sex the chickens because they are not breeders...they are raised for meat. Same as the white chicks you see. When you buy nor see them, you think FOOD".

Sometimes it isn't a SALE that is important. It is realizing that your message is getting to people who count.

Aloe Vera

One of our growers in Davao, uses Aloe Vera extracts as growth promotant.

Read this link on Aloe Vera as a Poultry Growth Enhancer

Jojo was supposed to have harvested last week. I wonder how he did.

Sunshine Pics Made Me Smile

I didn't realize my last post was Monday yet. Must have been a hectic week. What did I get done? Buried in a lot of paperwork, I was able to squeeze these as respite.

1) Picked SOME cute things to decorate the indoor booth at Agrilink, but did a LOT of eating at the mall

2) Visited the Poultry Show at Megamall (same day as #1), and decided to peep at the Nike Sale next door.

3) Checked on the rooftop work.

4) Coordinated seminar schedules.

5) Asked Mitos to pick up uniform's buttons for me.

6) Couple of more errands.

7) Makati Supermarket ( I love groceries)

8) Planning how to fix booth at AANI.

Then I got a text to check my mail...pleasant to see Roxas City's 35days and 14dayolds

A Hobby Farmer in Guimba

Yesterday's side trip took us to Guimba, Nueva Ecija.

No exact address, just a specific Barangay was given. It was OK, thinking that I can call when I got to the Barangay. For some reason, no cellphone signal!

The talent of a salesman is put to work :)

We were greeted at the driveway by an unused dressing machine. Hobby Farmer used to grow the white broilers for his lechon manok business. He found it taxing and better to just get the dressed chickens.

Now he says the caring for the Sunshine Chickens brought a family activity for them, and he doesn't need to spend as much time caring for the Sunshines as the white broilers.

This time, he hopes he will have use for his dressing machine again in about one month.

Roxas City's 2nd batch, now at 7days

It is very important that the grower coordinates for technical support so they are able to cure problems before they occur.

We are happy how Roxas City took care of 1st batch from scratch knowledge. Three weeks later, a 2nd batch was ordered. See now how they are at 7days :)

To see our grower's complete pictures for the two batches, click on the photo gallery. The 1st batch are not camera shy...they simply love the fallen mango fruits more.

2nd INAHGEN, The Asean Farmers Congress, 27-29 February 2008

We will take part in the 2nd International Animal Health, Genetics and Nutrition Congress at the Mall of Asia, 27th-29th of February 2008.

Take a peak at the 2nd Inahgen

This promises to be a very good show as the 1st event was successful basing from the opinion of participants and visitors in 2006.

What makes it interesting is that the show is very focused on the needs of the farmer.

See you at Booth #49

Moises' Sunshine in Roxas City

The original telephone call was for an inquiry about dressed chickens. Since they were based in Roxas City, I referred a grower in Bacolod. I think they needed more that what the grower in Bacolod was prepared to raise, so they wanted to see if they can practice raising with an initial order of 100 heads.

That was the Aug11 hatch. They were real beginners, excitedly informing me that they vaccinated the day old chicks w/ B1B1 a couple of hours after it deplaned :( Well no major problem, but I felt that the Sunshines may have been threatened.

September01 hatch had them reordering 200 heads. Future bookings have been made to make sure they have the Christmas season supply :)

I am glad that after the texting and guiding, they seem to have learned a lot in 21days.

I like the movable posts for the brooder pens/ranging area...see the concrete foundations and steel posts? Easy to wheel around and transfer pens.


They are marketing the dressed chickens to barbecue stalls :)

For those who have tried the Sunshines as inihaw....am sure you know why his marketing idea is feasible.

Tuguegarao's Franz

Franz got about 30 chicks from the hatch dated 11 August. He knows he wasn't diligent in feeding them and still making changes to his new lifestyle with Sunshine in his life :)

FREE SEMINARS - Updated Seminar List

1) AGRILINK 2007, Oct 4-6, World Trade Center:
October 05 2007, Friday, 2:30-4:00pm, Seminar Room #1
October 06 2007, Saturday, 10:30am-12:00noon, open Seminar Area

2) Planning on setting up in Angeles, Pampanga in October.

3) Will be in the Kalibo/Roxas City area in February.

If you want a seminar in your area, coordinate with us. Gather a group of interested individuals/organizations and we will go to the area. Let us discuss how we can go about it.

Masarap nga talaga

TJ had been getting texts that the chickens he delivered last Sunday were really good.

Jop, the other half of Krukukuk Farm was also texting me how to cook it "inihaw".

Last Sunday, I bought four dressed chickens from Krukukuk Farm. Two of which I gave my mom and the other two we had for dinner, cooked two ways :)

The first: Tinola. I had simply boiled in low fire with three stalks of tanglad (lemongrass) that we had pots of in the driveway, some ginger and salt to season. Just before we turned off the heat, we added a bunch of sili leaves. Sarap, the meat was firm but tender, you know no liquid seasonings, just real chicken taste.

The second was an experiment: Never did inihaw before, but since we had sure Tinola already, experimenting was allowable. We rubbed it with rock salt and freshly ground black pepper. Set it on hot coals (not fire). Juiciest inihaw chicken I had ever tasted. And the taste...simple and good.

I wanted to take pictures....but I opted not to spoil my momentum in eating for that first try :)

The weekend is over?

Do you sometimes have a million errands to do over the weekend, then realize you are waiting for Sunday dinner, Farmer TJ's Chicken...w/c will be another topic :). The weekend is over, you did everything on the list and say "that was it? tiresome, fruitful and enjoyable!

Saturday morning had me doing the mundane errands of picking up our sando bags from my favorite plastic packaging company in Pasig. After lunch, trip to hatchery to check on final count of chicks. Preparing invoices, tallying orders and packing the deliveries kept us busy Saturday night. Alarm sounded at 12midnight for deliveries to three airline cargo offices.

Slept at 4:30am. Alarm woke me up at 6:30am. Was at AANI by 10am. Grabbed a quick shawarma before the seminar during the Farmers-Traders Expo 2007. It was a fruitful afternoon of sharing and storytelling on raising Sunshine Chicken. Met interesting people.

Then now I think how the weekend can be over? And that no pics? It totally skipped me as the afternoon was fast paced.

Till the next seminar at Agrilink :)

A lady who attended the seminar said she can give us accomodations in Camiguin when we teach her to raise Sunshines in her farm....that looks like another pleasure w/ pleasure.

IDs

We are changing uniforms for all our staff, growers who assist us for seminars and for ourselves.

The uniforms may differ but the unifying factors will be these patches :)

No more guessing game when you see us.

The pack of cigarettes was photographed just to show sizing. Patches are no doubt highly visible.

An Upcoming Seminar, A Favorite Business Forum & A Gardening Thread

These three elements that kept me busy and entertained yesterday made me think of what I can have inside my AANI booth after the seminar on September 02.

Last seminar left me hungry as men don't really eat and it was hard to order as it interrupts conversation. Mika, TJ's princess, am sure also wanted nice sweets while listening to adults talk chicken, rare fruit trees and bolahan.

My sweet tooth, Mika's image, wanting to spruce up a rather drab looking booth while in the process of fixing it (we got the next door space too so just in time to plan the new design) led me to order these plants :)

Phase One

Several days of rain and being able to work between...this is how we partly cleared the rooftop and installed some sheds for the Sunshines

Breeders at 18weeks

We had a 3rd egg drop (all three from the same pen) yesterday and a 4th one today from another pen :)

Look at how the breeders are at week18. Starting to court the females.

EGG DROP

I get a call this morning from the farm that we had an egg drop yesterday :)

They are now going to do the mixing of the males and females.

Exciting...it's like waiting in the delivery room area.

September 01 Hatch

Our next batch of Sushine Day Old Chicks will be available on September 01 at our Fairview outlet.

AANI and our other outlets will carry them in September 02.

For those requiring air cargo space, please book now so we an ensure spaces on 1st flights on September 02.

:)

Weighing In

Batch Aug11 was at 110g day7

Batch July21 weighed in at 465g at 28days.

How did your Sunshines do?

Manuel L. Quezon Day

Was at the entrance of Quezon Memorial Circle at 9am. As usual a lot of joggers and cyclists in the area and cars were parked everywhere. As I entered the parking lot, what was surprising was no parking collection? There was no "FULL" sign, so that can't be it.

AUG 19...Manuel L. Quezon Day...the park may have thought of treating everyone to free parking :)

I got to the booth in time as the rain poured hard. AANI had a lot of attendance even at that weather. Good that more and more are getting interested to get back to basics and still get a livelihood.

Afternoon saw me browsing around Trinoma. Curiosity does kill the cat! I was tempted to go see why people always mention "Trinoma". I think it is overrated...or I am simply a "know what you want, go for for it and leave the area" person.

But, a stand alone boutique of Maxine made me smile :)

If I had to go to shop..where do I see myself? ATC (Alabang Town Center), Serendra, Glorietta, Rockwell..easy parking and selected shops. But take me to a weekend market and parking won't be an issue :)

Late afternoon saw me back at my future rooftop haven...visualizing, dreaming and hoping.

Camp Farm's Batch#2

We were scheduled to visit a dealer in Pangasinan yesterday when the news of a typhoon in Northern Luzon made as decide to head back to Isabela.

Decided to take a quick peek at Camp Farm's 21Jul and 11Aug batch.

The 21Jul batch looks sad that they are not being let out to play in the rains :)

The 2day old chicks looked happy :)

This Urban Farming Is Keeping Me Excited

We made a quick visit to the rooftop yesterday as we were checking on security risks for ourselves and damage that clogged drainage may bring.

Been toying with the idea of making the rooftop a showcase.

Everthing fell into place this time: unscheduled visit upstairs, 50+ chicks ready to range from 21July batch, need for a showcase at how Sunshines may be kept at minimal costs.

These pictures and videos will show how it looked when we first stepped "up". Hopefully we can transform it little by little into a haven for Sunshine and our tired spirits :)

Does being in the city stop you from being a farmer?

I'd like to develop urban farming. Starting with what is available and of course Sunshine :)

Will show you pictures soon of where and how I want to start.

Do you have ideas of your own?

We never saw the rains

We didn't experience the rains. I had no concept of what Tj was battling up with. On the way to Manila Thu pm, it was a breeze. No flood, no rain, no traffic.

We met with the shipment that arrived Fri pm at the airport. Picked up chicks hatched yesterday, arranged delivery schedules, went to airport for deliveries, monitored the deliveries made at dawn today. Woke up early to go to AANI, had a talking morning there :).....preparing again deliveries for the airport tonight and seeing a client in Pangasinan tomorrow.

Enjoyable weekend I will say :)

The stressful part was getting a text from a client in the Visayas this morning, saying they got the healthy chicks.....they were excited to say they vaccinated waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Imagine vaccinating newly hatched chicks that just got off the plane. They thought they got week old chicks :)

Farmer Tj's game with Chedeng and Dodong

TJ has had sleepless nights. I don't want to preempt him as his story will best come from him.

You have seen his album...let these pics tell you why he was worried.



This was our YM at about 4pm today

michael tom jim gonzales: about napang hinaan ng loob, lagay mo dun sa last last part from tj. Lots of lesson learn from the experience, sana hindi nyo nakita ito as set back bagkos as a free lesson and tipsfrom tj. ayan bombproof padin ang bahay ko buo pa pero yun lang diko naanticipate ang knee hi baha.

solraya: naku mamaya pa ako dyan....bagal ko ag ayos ng pics

michael tom jim gonzales: Sobrang tibay ng manok na ito siguro dahil na din sa breed quality, Yung sa alaga ko, and kung ano ano pa, will keep u posted sa situation ng batch 300 and batch 100. wala nga pala akong casualty s batch 300 kahit na 2am palang soak na sila, B100 meron naipit too bad kasi madilim walang light dun, unlike sa batch 300. o yan kabit m nalang sa pics ko. kaw na magkwento

solraya: ikaw mag kwent pag tapos na lahat..pero kabit ko sinabi mo para INTRO

Livelihood

If you are thinking of giving livelihood to your own household, employees' families, neighborhood,organization etc, let us discuss how we can make Sunshine work for you.

No such thing as capital requirement, as we will custom it to your needs.

Typhoon Dodong

Yesterday brought heavy rains, non-stop to the area of Bulacan where Tj is. He was busy the whole day. We texted a good part of the evening as he was worried. Eventually he had resigned himself to whatever comes. He gave his 100% but he can't control nature. That was how he felt.

This morning, he texted that his ranging area has knee deep water. I thought Tj must be sad. Soon after he calls and says he had evacuated the chickens to the bed of the Forward (truck) and that he was ecstatic at how the Sunshines weathered the typhoon and flood.

Today is another day....storm to intensify yet...

I told Tj...everything equal, the care he had given his Sunshines from day one, will see them through :)

Farmers-Traders Expo 2007

Direct Farmers and Traders Linkage for Competitive Pricing.

Aug31 to Sep02, 2007 AANI Herbal Garden and Livelihood Center, East Ave Gate, Quezon Memorial Circle, QC

Seminar Schedule:

Aug 31:

9am-12noon Companion Planting and Crop Rotation
1:30-4pm Styro Art and Craft

Sep 01:

9-10am Virgin Coconut Oil Making
10am-12noon Biogas/Waste Management

Sep 02:

9am-12noon Mango Production
11:30am-12:30pm HOLY MASS
1:30-4pm How To Raise Free Range Chicken

ALL SEMINARS ARE FREE!

The general public, exhibitors, sponsors and participants are all welcome.

We'll see you there :)

FREE SEMINAR SCHEDULE

We are confirmed to do FREE seminars for Sunshine Free-Range Chicken at:

1) AANI Farmers-Traders Expo 2007, 02 September, 1:30-4pm. Pls see link on Farmers-Traders Expo 2007 for other seminars offered.

2) AGRILINK 2007 Oct4-6.

In mid-February 2008 we will be in the Kalibo area and a free seminar will be scheduled.

Exact details will be posted once available.

Tj's flexibility outdid Sunshine :)

I came from an 8hr drive, had a 2hr sleep, had a hilarious nightmare about the seminar, woke up relieved that it was not real, texted TJ to wake up, got ready to go, drove myself as the "tamiya" will have to go to AANI too for the stocks for the booth.

As I parked, I opened the back, NO LAPTOP NO PROJECTOR! I thought "wow, the vet driving the tamiya must have been extra nice to make sure I didn't carry anything" :)

I called and inquired....nope he didn't do it! I walked slowly thinking how to tell TJ. The moment he saw me and was informed, he called his partner Jop to make sure he brought his flash stick and good thing the venue had a laptop and projector.

No one noticed that we lacked paraphernalia of pics from all batches...TJ was best under pressure. Doc Rey commented, the best seminar he had ever seen for the free range chicken. It came straight from the heart and was done in layman's terms.

One thing I noticed...no one from the audience had any smart alecky questions nor comments.

the one in Davao

Jojo is a first time raiser too of Sunshines who read and learned from the PCARRD forum :)

He says he has found a market already for his chickens. That is the way to go...develop market in your area so you give back jobs to the locality, while transport problems are eliminated.

Here are photos he shared with us.

Blood Testing and Hatchery Check

Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) had done the routine blood testing today for the June23 batch. The hatchery inspection for biosecurity reasons was done earlier this week.

Backyard Multi Range Areas

An FAQ is about "all-in all-out".

Don't let your enthusiasm to raise Sunshine Chickens be dampened by that :)

1) Each batch of chicks should be in their own ranging area. If you have to harvest partially like daily or weekly, you may do so. You harvest all from that batch. Do not introduce a new batch in a ranging area with an older batch.

2) After all chickens had been harvested from a range area, let that area rest and recover. Use organic disinfectant, spray the whole area. After about a week, moisten land, scatter lime and rake the area thoroughly. Let the sun and fresh air work on the land :) You will know when your land had recovered. It will look fresh.

3) If you have several batches in different ranging areas, it is ideal that you have different caretakers for each. If you must have one person feed all, start feeding the youngest batch and ending with the oldest.

4) Practice biosecurity. It is not expensive nor hard to make disinfectant/footbaths at the entry/exit points of the ranging area.

5) Observe where the wind is coming from. Try to position the ranging areas in such a way that the wind doesn't blow into other ranges. You are trying to minimize the transfer of airborne bacteria.

6) If you want the fenced area all in one side of your farm, you can use have several ranges separated by net walls. Do not use two side by side pens at the same time.

There are no guarantees that strict biosecurity will make a problem free farm. Use best judgement and common sense. Adopt and drop ways, as you see fit to your personal needs.