Photos Communicate

For growers who are far from us and farm visits are wishes...that may happen but not as often as ideal...daily data record keeping and weekly photos are very important to monitor. Obvious problems are called to attention right away.

Why talk about the negative? Actually, positive moves are very appreciated through photos too.

This Mindanao farmer went to Manila to attend a seminar. Prepared. Ordered and have been updating us through pictures.

I would say that he listened well during Doc Rey's seminar. More than that, he cares for his Sunshines. It is obviously captured. Good brooding, makes the robust for ranging.

Probiotics

Sometimes we are asked to try a product. Most times we just set it aside and forget about it.

We had been using another brand of probiotics for sometime, but packaging was a problem and we were looking for a new one that we may retail to people who don't have the time to do their own natural farming inputs.

We had been seeing the Novatech group in radio guestings, but maybe they were promoting more their Durabloom organic fertilizers, that I didn't zero in on their probiotics.

One Sunday, about 2months ago, one of their salesmen broadcasted some Biosec in our Sunshines' cage during that month's Agri Kapihan. The Biosec was supposed to erase odors in farm animals' pens. Well, I noticed that it did. I was there sitting by the cage, it was soiled, being there halfday already. Sniff sniff....no odor. I took a note of that in my mind to order for resale...but it hid behind my brain.

The sent me the brochures thru email, but it just sat on my deskstop to this day.

Recently, I knew and remembered I needed probiotics for the over the counter sales. Timely that the Novatech sales people were there again during Agri Kapihan and I remembered to order Biosec. Now I had the time to listen and they were able to introduce Biolyte (probiotics and vitamins), perfect for brooding.

I asked my staff in Santiago City to use it for the store's brooding. That store is our best gauge because of distance and the time of day that the truck gets there, carrying the Sunshines.

Verdict: very good and ok for resale to customers!



When we do a sampling, we only use one product so we can zero in on our assessment. I walk by the cages by 6pm when we close the store. No smell...and that was not using Biosec yet. It was just Biolyte. Letting the good bacteria eat the bad bacteria inside the Sunshines. Making the waste, odor free.

Suggested retail price is PHP150 for 120ml. Use 1ml per 1liter of water. Ask for it from your favorite poultry supply stores. You may use it for all your animals :)

Back To Davao

Check back for a seminar schedule in Davao City and in Mati City.

Tentative schedule for Mati City may be on Monday, March 30. Will update blog when details are final.

Panay Antique

Depending on what you mean and how you pronounce it. Antique the place? Or Antique as in old, heirloom, art, collectibles....

We have here both. A grower in Antique, engaging in the old way of raising chickens. Almost 1 kilo in 33days. Not bad at all. Surely tastes like the bisaya manok!


Looking forward to go visit that part soon!

Go Against The Tide

Yesterday was not an ordinary one.

You don't normally cross a river (in your own vehicle ha), drive through sharp and rough river stones, drive with the tide and make a turn to drive against the tide. It was like sitting in a banka, seeing tree branches riding with the tide, observing how water breaks into different streams and getting back their speed again....it seeks its own path.

Doc Rey said I should take pictures....sure! One of the rare times that I don't have spare batteries, nor my recharger, nor do I have new pen sized batteries. Well...I said it as a day out of the ordinary.

We got to the other side of the river and delivered Sunshine day old chicks. Great location and the number of mango trees make default shelters for the ranging Sunshines in 3weeks :)

What did I learn from yesterday? I didn't need a 4X4, no need for a Land Cruiser to cross a river and brave the sharp rocks. You just need to believe in what you have and make calculated risks...but yes, I needed strong tires wehehehehe

Have To Go Back

Have you been to Cam Sur Water Park?

We don't do wakeboarding, but it was fun watching them and dining after a seminar in Naga.

The province of Camarines Sur did well developing this piece of property. It is now renowned worldwide for wakeboarding destination. Accomodations are very good, clean and well priced.

My son did this one weekend not too long ago, but he really into surfing and the likes. You have to be really fit when doing those. I excitedly called him to say we were enjoying the place he had been to....and he said he "was in a ferry to Camiguin"! Our host was like "huh?"....what does he do for a living? Well....he is single, young, taking his sweet time and enjoying life. He is like off every weekend :)

I will want to go back to Naga soon....have to taste the guinataang Santol that I missed because I had to stay in bed because of flu :(

The best tourist attraction of Camarines Sur may be yet be their people....very unassuming, pleasant...really nice :)

3C

I liked the champoy flavor. It was fermented plant juice. It is supposed to be a good health tonic. Wakes you up and gives you the energy boost, but makes you sleep like a log too at night. We in jest called it "PAMPA"....pampatulog, pampagising, pampa...

3C...stood for the 3 Cs of Carrots, Cucumbers and Celery.

I used a glass pitcher with a plastic lid, to ease up my work. For every kilo of plant you need 1/2k Muscovado sugar.

I got 600 grams Carrots, 350 grams Cucumber and 50 grams Celery stalks. Passed them through a grater, at random, then placing it in the pitcher and adding some Coco Sugar (yes expensive, but this was what I had in my cupboard) at a time. Layers until done. It was easier, no need to mix, as it was layered already and I just gave it a shake :) I placed it inside a black garbage bag and clipped it using a paper clip and set it on the kitchen counter to ferment.

I shook my pitcher every 2days. Actually everyday, as I peep all the time :)

Harvest in 10days. You may feed the solid to your animals. Actually I kept it and pick on it like pickles. They say take about 2 tablespoons daily or 3x a day after meals. I take a lot to drink, tablespoons wont' suffice. It does taste great for me!

Experiment with the different flavors you want.

This is not just for human consumption. Fermented plant and fruit juices are also used in natural farming for your plants and animals.

Use 1 teaspoon of fermented plant/fruit juice per liter of water. That will let the good bacteria take care of the bad bacteria in their digestive system. Use 32ml of the fermented juice in you 16liter back pack of water. Spray all around the pens, flooring and cages :) Odor free surroundings. Worry free disinfectant and deodorizer.

Organikarts

We might be pushing through with our baby Organikarts real soon.

Sidelined by the December rush and the busier days for the growers the past weeks, anticipating the summer and fiesta times' demand...we are now dusting the idea of the karts.

Am actually excited, as this will be good for consumer awareness. We are eyeing a location that will be good for the market of the health conscious and who likes eating good tasting food :)

....will keep you posted.

Where Are You For Holy Week?

Normally I am around my "through sick and sin" friends.

Recollection and meditations is best when you are true to yourself and what better way than being with the people who may even know you better than you do yourself :)

Thinking about Ilocos Sur...La Union...let's see where the waves takes us for the next few days.

Ilocos Sur Weekly

We have to thank the coverage that Agriculture Magazine gives us, and their trust in our products. They feature our growers, announce our seminars to reach out to people who wants to learn for livelihood, and report on the different aspects of successful money making ideas.

One province that had supported the Sunshine endeavor is Ilocos Sur. By now, there are several independent growers (who no longer rely on government's dispersal) lechon manok vendors, doing the ready-to-range and food processing.

Why did the ready-to-range prosper? Because the people have compared the quality of those privately raised in comparison to those brooded under make-do-to comply scenario. Watch out for more features by Manila Bulletin on these growing industry :)

And yes, we are able to visit the growers often, because we have an outlet of Solraya there, for Sunshine day old chicks. To make it affordable and readily available.

So, when our friends asked if we wanted to meet up...it was an easy YES! Perfect time to document while doing farm visits. Great meals with friends...

See how uniform the harvest of Corn? The farmer used organic fertilizers. Durabloom in particular.


Side note: This is the image of Our Lady that is pasted in my mind now. When I talk to Her, this is how I see Her. Last Monday, while sitting outside Gov. DV Savellano's office, I saw this statue. Now I know why this is the image in my mind. I see her all the time :) She stands guard outside the Gov's office!

Can't Reply

Either something is wrong with Blogger, or I am traveling in areas where my Globe Visibility is hiding.....I can login to my Blogger account, but I can't reply to queries nor edit.

I'm sorry Jonathan, but easiest way...and this goes for everyone....I suggest email info@solraya.com

Yes, I know...it helps everyone if we all ask and read here. But if you got questions that need immediate replies, our contact numbers are all over the blog :)

Heny Sison's HAManok

Wednesday, while waiting at the cargo bay of PAL for my HERBaboy from Jojie Lim, Heny Sison calls and says that she prepared chicken hams and wanted me to taste and get one. Ok then, it was past 3pm, no lunch yet, so the prospect was very inviting :)

Parked at her office at about 5pm, I just peeped my head to call on her girl so I can just drive thru for the ham.

Surpise, surprise! Heny was manning a class for Bars at her ground floor class and comes to me with a two (2) plates of chicken ham. Seems like she had been nibbling on it too weheeheh. One was her previous recipe, plain. The second plate was sugar coated. "I like this, the sweetness is there, but coy". She said, "OK, I will then give you the one that is sugared". She had her girl bring out two (2) hams, differently ribboned. She said one was for Gov DV...and if I can take it please :)


She wanted us to talk again for the marketing of chicken ham. Off to Naga the next day and on to Ilocos Sur and Baguio. When I get back to Manila then... yes we meet...and I get to open my ham too :)

Ingress 8th Philfoodex

Rushing today. Got a new freezer for show, went to Megamall earlier than my ingress crew, prepared invoices and shipping permits.

I was stumbling with my tarps and signboard and my ingress maleta from valet parking to the 2nd floor. By the time I was going up to the 3rd floor, I got the hang of things. Practice and experience makes you know what angle to step etc :)

Since I was alone initially and knew that even if my crew came, they will still fumble with my new signs. Sat, quietly and looked for familar Centrex boys faces. Saw one....and ran after him. He was glad to see me too.

You like it?

Relating Things

Today was a sandy day. Nails, lunch, browsing around, calling new suppliers for new products, looking at the venue for Philfoodex even if actual ingress is tomorrow yet, picking up my new signs...in other words it was a different day and somehow the small things made me see new ideas :)

1) hanging my fascia boards - the printer wanted me to use the old and reliable double sided foam tapes. Ok I will, but I was adamant to want to hang it simply. Less hassle, and it will be more secure that way. The hooks may not be the perfect size and it will require that I be able to postion it on a straight line. Easier said than done! But once I do, even if the size was not perfect, the bottom portion should rest comfortably, even if at an angle. Which might be better actually! The horizontal line of the hooks should be aligned.

Got a call from a friend about making a trip to La Union and Ilocos Sur for farm visits, and if I had growers who were using certain products, who may be interviewed. Certainly, plus the fact that we really suggest using those products. The trip will not fit our schedules really as we will be coming in from Naga, but horizontal marketing flashed in my mind. I made quick calls...and yes, we can all meet in Ilocos Sur. We are not the focus for the farm visits, but hey, Sunshines will be featured.

2) I called a farm owner in Tarlac who was raising chicks for the color in the farm and the great taste it was bringing to his table. First 100, 200, 500 and about 2weeks ago 800. He said that it is almost gone, save for what he personally consumes. Town folks were happy seeing large native chickens, and they buy from him. I suggested the "ready to range" and he said yes perfect as that was the problem of others. We talked about a price and he said too much. I was surprised that he was selling the Sunshines at almost the same price he got it for. Apparently, he was just wanting to help and for the town folks to realized that they can grow their own food. The LGUs were starting to see his advocacy.

Yes, it was a confirmation and reiteration that we shouldn't lose our focus on the backyard farmers.

3) Instant orders - My paraphernalia for Philfoodex was ordered for pickup today. At the last minute, I wanted some stickers for use in the Naga dispersal. I had to wait the whole day for a measly 12 stickers. The printer had a lot of work scheduled. But they got fast printers, several of them, had a lot of personnel. Yes, but the line was still long.

Some volume customers do not understand that unless they have previous bookings, they can't be served pronto. Our regular, even if small quantities, can't and may not be disregarded in favor of a big order. If there was a regular schedule, then we can play with the irregular small orders, but not to sacrifice the regular ones. About 3weeks ago, a messenger told me "but they order volume, you can't set them aside" I replied, "I'd rather have 20 small ones than 1 big one". Chicks aren't like rice that you may stock the season's harvest. Our chicks are hatched 2x a week and we need to schedule the sale even before they are hatched. Pronto customers have to undertand that unless booked, they may not have any if they advise one day before. We have the numbers to supply, it is scheduling that we request you to respect.

4) bonding lunch with my bdayboy son - he had been seeing this nice girl who I have not yet met, but since he talks a lot about her, its like I know her.

Being true to yourself and others...saying things as it is.

5) Joining Philfoodex - It is for other people to see what is new in the market and maybe getting new suppliers.

That is what I also decided to do today, look at new products. That kept me excited and filled my time before Sunshine. I should set time again for opening my eyes to what is new.

6) People who know me, know I am a Crocs person, way before it was used here. I have it in all colors wehehehe. Today, I got myself a men's style, w/o second thoughts. I wanted it, my feet needs it and it was simply that.

Some say I have to bend because I am in marketing and sales. I don't. Even in my choice of products to sell, I maintain what I believe in. If I went for what is the norm and looked good to wear on my feet, I would have sprained my ankles by now, just like my younger son who sprained himself after playing basketball today. Stuck to what is comfortable for me, I know I will swim in land wearing what my feet needs.

7) Our HERBaboy will go on a shipment with our Durian friend, to save on freight costs. Won't our baboy smell Durian?

It won't, as it is packed well. The lighter or rather the serious side to relating things is...I am like Durian...you either like me or detest me!

Sleeping Chicks

I got a text early this morning, that the 10 Sunshines she (am just presuming that the texter is female) purchased yesterday were all sleeping. She asked if they were sick :)

Were they full from eating? Do they look contented? Are the feathers ruffled?

What do you mean the feathers are ruffled?

Gusot, ruffled, not tidy, magulo... :)

Nope they weren't.

You will know. Observing your Sunshine Chicks, contented and sleeping looks so differently from sick chicks. Just like taking care of babies, you know when you see discomfort :( You hear cries of distress :(

She deduced they were doing fine then.

Resellers Of Day Old Chicks

Another simple business idea....

Resell Sunshine Day Old Chicks.

There are remote areas wherein the farmer won't have the time to go to the bayan, to purchase his stocks. Most backyard growers also, specially the ones who grow for their own consumption, will not want to buy a box of 100 day old chicks.

You may purchase from us and cater to the neighboring areas. Doesn't seem part of the business, but it is the step one, acquiring chicks.

Contact us if you plan to resell. We are able to ship to most areas nationwide.

YM About Growing In The City

Someone messaged me yesterday, inquiring about raising Sunshines in the city.

Presuming you live in a residential area....I will say "Yes", if you were to grow your own food. Meaning, if your family consumes about 15 chickens a month, then ok, raise them in the city.

Not that they have foul odor, but do you have a large ranging area in your urban home? Presuming again no area. Supplementing with grains, you may give them your fruit and vegetable trimmings. Your neighbors might be happy that you will rid them of garbage too, if you got their kitchen trimmings.

Before long, your neighborhood might be envious and will want to grow their own food. Then, it may be a cooperative effort on a nearby empty plot.

Good luck..this may even turn to a business venture in the block.

Where Can I Get Ready To Range?

Am not sure if its because that Zac Sarian had featured several times, Kagawad Henry Anunciacion of Sinait, Ilocos Sur finding a business in raising "ready to range" Sunshine Chicks...or that I made a post in this blog as one of the business ideas, to raise Sunshine Chicks till about 21days then sell them. Brooding is no joke :)

We had been getting calls about purchasing ready to range chicks. Sorry but we always book our day old chicks and we have none to grow til 21days.

Another grower in Gen Santos, Rene, wants to discuss this possibility of doing it in his part of Mindanao.

Pol Rubia of Agri Aqua Network International (AANI) may go into this too, as he will start to brood for our demo farm and my needs for dressed chickens for marketing purposes. We discussed about selling ranging chicks since visitors to the demo farm will find him convenient as he is in Metro Manila.

Looks like the business ideas we had been posting are starting to rub in on others and opening eyes.

As the assessment goes...it is only the Agriculture sector that will make the Philippines float.

Smoked Chicken

We've had this smoking chamber that we never had the time to try out. Read a lot about smoked chicken, the process and how it promised the best tasting way to have your poultry.

Am not sure why today was different. Maybe because we have somehow mastered the art of juggling time and work between radio programs, weekend markets, fixing invoices and scheduling orders on a Sunday? By after lunch, I knew I wanted to smoke chicken.

Had the smoking chamber brought out, cleaned, dry rubbed my three (3) chickens with very simple seasoning and started the smoking process.

Uhhhhhh.....dinner was heaven. Licked to the bones, chewed on it and really sucked on the bones. We were just describing the bones....can you imagine what it was like biting into the wings and the drumsticks. My favorite is the chicken ass...the three (3) were erased before anyone may think about getting it. My least favorite is the breast. I had to try this just for comparison. I ended up with very tasty white meat :)

This recipe is a winner! Nothing beats low fire, slow cooking, smoke :) And of course, the real taste of chicken.

I vacuum packed some, to test how it may be marketed.

On The Walls

Corner booths, two wall panels.

This will be the design for the 8th Philfoodex booth. March 5-8, SM Megamall Exhibit Centers.

Trade Shows' Facia Boards

This early we are lining up the trade shows we are joining, what the shows' focus is, how we are going to use it for marketing etc.

Peep of things to come...see our new facia board:

Ilocos Super Chicken

I was burried in paperwork when I decided to text Rene, one of our growers in Gen San. Then his text drifted to his watching Gov Savellano's project Ilocos Super Chicken on TV. "Hey, that's my chicks"..he said he knew, of course.

Ran to the TV and of course I saw the interview. Good one. Thank you to Ilocos Sur for promoting SASSO. No one else can claim now, that they are selling F1 from Certified Parent Stocks imported from SASSO of France. We can.

Again, SASSO is not a breed. It is a company in France that maintains and develops different strains of colored chickens, meant for free ranging.

We, Solraya Enterprises, import from SASSO of France. We branded our F1 production as Sunshine Chicken :)

Meat And Eggs

Someone was inquiring today about getting all females for table egg production.

We may but we hardly do it. Takes effort, time and hard to say for sure. Best efforts are sometimes acceptable on day1, but as the booboo gets obvious, the customer forgets the agreement on best efforts :)

If you want 200 layers, I suggest get 400 day old chicks, which we box at random, straight run.

Today is perfect time. Why? You get to harvest the males in time for the graduations and fiestas. Then by September, you start having your eggs.

Think about the timing.

Where Are The Naked Necks?

One of our regular customers, who buys bulk, but for dispersals for livelihood, asked if our SASSO breeders of Naked Necks are producing already.

Yes, we already have the Naked Necks. We have it in limited numbers and we really imported these line for our growers. Some growers have tried it already and we expect ranging Naked Necks in March :)

As for now, logistics dictate that we just have the Naked Necks for retail, available in our Fairview, Santiago City and Vigan City outlets.

Sturdier, yes.

Sonshine Radio

Nice coincidence huh?

Last week, Liezl of Sonshine Radio in Manila contacted us for an interview. A phone patch she said was ok for them. Asked if they wanted technical info or marketing, so we know who was to be interviewed. They said both. That means both Doc Rey and I will be interviewed.

That being the case....a live interview will do justice to the good rapport off and on the air :)

Today at 10am, we were live at Sonshine Radio, DZAR 1026 khz, with Tony and Bing as anchors. We went from livelihood, technical aspects, marketing, health benefits.

It opened inquiry if we may guest also in their other programs. Definitely YES. I like the chirp of Sunshine Chicks over Sonshine Radio.

Alaminos City

An invitation got to us today to exhibit and do a seminar for the Alaminos City agri trade show in March 17-22.

Calendar checked and made this enormous reason to pay realty taxes on time, w/c of course falls within March.

So far its a YES....will keep you posted for seminar schedules.

Comfort Food

While sitting at a restaurant in Vigan yesterday, next to us was a group of all balikbayans. Looks like maybe classmates from the US who attended a school reunion and made a sidetrip to Ilocos region. Talk about my own scriptwriting and storytelling here wehehehehe

Anyway, they all ordered Max' Fried Chicken. Yes you may ask....why were we at Max' hahhahah. We needed to have a quick meal. That was next door to our hotel, and Leona's does have good food, BUT you will have to be patient when it comes to service.

Back to comfort food. That is a good business idea. Cook your Sunshines into different viands. For adobo, you may even research on the regional varieties. The taste of native chicken that Sunshine Chicken has, will give the your viands the basic home cooked, comfort food that the relatives from afar always whine about.

The balikbayans not just eat here the food they miss. They buy tons to take home to stock in their huge freezers and they love to give them to friends and relatives as pasalubong.

Pack them well, spill proof and smell proof. Last time Doc Rey's siblings from the US were here, they appreciated the vacuum packed goodies they brought home with them.

I hope to bring you more business ideas. Read and select the ones that may apply to you. Remember, you have to love what you are doing. It is the passion that will sustain you through the rough times.

No Minimim

Often asked if we have a minimum order for purchases of our day old chicks.

"No Minimum. As long as you pick up from our outlets."

Our price of PHP35 per chick is for pick up from our Fairview and two (2) Agri-Aqua Network International (AANI) outlets. You may purchase as few as you want, and yes, you may order by the thousands :)

Our poultry supply store dealers, will also allow you to purchase a few heads, as they all have brooders that are really meant to keep and display day old chicks for resale. The prices of dealers vary, from PHP38 to PHP40 in Luzon. For Vizayas and Mindanao, the going price is at PHP45.

When we have to deliver, we charge at PHP3800 per box of 100. We suggest minimum of 1box (100 heads) when you ask us to send to you by land or air. Why? Only because you will spend needlessly if you purchase less than 1bx.

We have a cost to carry using our own printed chickboxes to transport your Sunshines. The expense of delivering your order to the airport, freight and shipping permits is the same whether it was 50 heads or 100.

Prices subject to change :)

Don't Leave Her Alone

Do the chicks still need light in the evenings? My chicks are ready to range at 21days now and the ranging area where they are to be transferred tomorrow have no electricity. I tried them without lights last night and they were noisy.

They don't need the light anymore, if you are asking if they still need the heat. They have complete feathers by now and will be able to regulate themselves under normal conditions. About the crying when there was no light...did you turn off the light after you had it on last night? The sudden change would have scared them. Same with humans. Or were they able to go from dusk to night time? They have to get used to it and they will. If we had a brownout, we panic. If we went from late afternoon till night without light, we would be ok :)

For the ranging area without light, make sure that they are grouped to go back to their shelter the first days. Educate where they are. I suggest when you transfer them, unload their box/cage inside their shelter, so they know where they belong and will want to make that their base.

In the evenings, make sure they go back together there. A Sunshine left out on her own will cry and be sad...they are very sociable and will want to be with their group.

HERBaboy

We had been looking for a good supplier of naturally grown pigs. Almost gave up on it as it was hard to get one that jived with our drivers' schedules, supply was inconsistent, or maybe they just didn't want to deal with me :)

Enter the Davao trip. Proper timing and delays work for the best. We had no intention to market Andry and Jojie's pigs in Manila as it will be costly, time consuming plus a lot of effort on our part.

But...
1) seeing the contented pigs in the farm
2) observing how the feeds were made
3) drinking the fermented juice the pigs are having
4) smelling, seeing and almost tasting the feeds before being fed to the pigs
5) meeting Andry and Jojie, seeing that they practice what they preach
6) eating great sinugba

I knew I wanted to eat and consume this for ourselves and what comes next...we sell it at Organika. That is our focus anyway, to sell only what we ourselves use and consume.

What should be a most fitting brand? HERBaboy....why do you think we decided to call it such?

Salad Dressings

Now thinking about the healthy food bar that EDSA Garden House is opening, the everything PHP35...I remember the salad bowl she had. Fresh, healthy veggies and we were discussing different salad dressings. I gave her an input for fruit based ones.

Today I thought about making Chicken Sandwich and hey, why not make mayo from scratch, using eggs from our grass fed hens?????

That will be a great sandwhich and salad base. Use our Sunshine eggs to make healthy and delicious dressings.

North Route

Sunday after delivering the dressed Sunshines for Adela Ang's use in her new healthy food bar at EDSA Garden House, we jumped in our mobile house (that is what we now term the truck or the SUV as we literally get to sleep in them) and headed for Vigan.

If you follow the agriculture news these days, you know how Ilocos Sur uses Sunshine Chicks for their dispersal and called them Ilocos Super Chicken....:) parang Superchick!

Feeling under the sheets, but thanks to laptops and business centers, am able to do my paperwork while in the comforts of Vigan Plaza Hotel.....I tried to step out yesterday....so hot huh...I used the alibi of Asthma to stay indoors.

Anyway, enroute to La Union to check on a grower's new brooding area. Initial loading is not a laughing matter and since the grower has a market already, we want to make sure his learning curve will be minimal.

Up to Baguio, as I enjoyed the Ube Jam I got there the last time. I will stock on them and sell them at Organika. We've tried a lot of Ube Jams, this one is chewy, rightly sweet, I like it.

Go for a peep at our Santiago City outlet for a day, via Ambucalao Dam from Baguio. You have to do this route, very scenic and its a safer roller coaster ride.

By friday morning, we have to be back inManila as we have to do a live guesting for a radio program. That will be a separate post. The title should be cute.

Everything PHP35

I think that was how I understood Adela Ang of EDSA Garden House in her newest venture, back to her first love, food preparation.

Saw her over breakfast during yesterdays Agri Kapihan, after Kaularan sa Agrikulutura. She asked about dressed Sunshines and she was going to get a rotisserie. "I have a brandnew one, never been used....go use it". So last night, we delivered the dressed Sunshines she will marinade.

She was busy in the kitchen making iced coolers. She made me taste the banana con lanka con macapuno..sweeted with sugar cane juice...SARAP! There was another variant using Ube instead of Bananas. That treat will be priced at PHP35. She brought in fresh greens with salad dressing, PHP35 too. Our Sunshines will be roasted and cut, served with veggies for PHP35. Adela said all PHP35...but then she mentioned juices at PHP10 : She should have served it in a large tumbler and priced it at PHP35.

If I understood her properly..it will be like the fair chits style. You prepay chits that will be used to pay for food you purchase, w/c is almost all priced at PHP35. That way, she eliminates a lot of personnel.

She toured me to her kitchen...you see the little girl grinning with glee in her new playhouse.

You should support her new vision: giving you simple, healthy, well priced food. Plus, her best reward is, she gets to do what she loves most...cooking.

She will start operation on February 26.

DavWOW

That reads like a tagline you see all over Davao City. Except for Durian, we didn't really do the usual tourist areas, but we still see the trip as WOW.

When we learned about the Philippine Veterinary Medicine Association Convention in Davao City, I excitedly used the opportunity to schedule a Durian galore/farm visits. Doc Rey may go to his PVMA thing, while Zac and I will enjoy our own schedules. And, a seminar for Raising Sunshine Chicken was also set. This was our kick off for the seminars in key cities.

We've heard a lot about Andry and Joji's naturally grown pigs fro, Tere and Armand of Earthkeepers. Zac Sarian met them in Gen San, but it was in passing and there was no chance to really discuss about the Korean method they had been applying and advocating. So I texted Tere. She contacted her friends and then texted me a schedule that started at like 7am, 1hr after we flew into the city. We not only got Andry and Joji's farm, we also got to meet and visit Dante and Tigbaw. Yup, he is named Tigbaw :)

Andry, Joji and Dante got us at the hotel. I cautioned them that there were three huge US. They said its ok, Dante and Tigbaw were midgets wehehehhe...just Andry who was big but he gets his own seat as the driver. We arrived at Dante's house for breakfast. Parking was at the highway as you have to walk to his house, balancing through feet roads. On the way, he talks about sustainable farming. While walking, we were met at what seems to be "one way" road, by his wife and daughter who were going to her school. Such a happy mother and daughter pair, who was glad to see father's visitors. What greeted us as we walked into Dante's property was exactly what he was talking about. A farmer may grow his own consumption. He had a little of everything! Even had rabbits. I thought the breeders rabbits were producing rabbits for commercial meat. Nope, petshops bought them. There were even bird's nests in not too tall trees just beside the house. And this was very near the main highway.

Breakfast from rice to hot chocolate and fruits came from their labor. That was the start of our all eating out vacation.

We walk back to the highway and cross the street to Redzki restaurant in Los Amigos. This is co-owned by Dante and Tigbaw. The large integrated farm surrounding is also a corporation/team up with Tigbaw and Dante, with Tigbaw's siblings. Before we started to walk, Joji made me drink her FFJ of 3Cs: Carrots, Cucumbers and Celery Stalks. I like the champoy juicelike taste. She said it is an energy tonic when taken during the day and makes you sleep like a log after taking it in the evening. After my golfing days like maybe 15yrs ago, I hardly walk. And walk walk walk we did, under the hot sun, balancing ride paddies and streams. You see fish rice paddies, well thought of backyard fish hatcheries, vegetables, ornamental fish farming etc..zero farm inputs. Dante and Tigbaw were such passionate farmer guides.

Lunch was sinugba pork from Andry's farm ( teaser 0f what we are to see), broiled hito from the paddies we just walked through, vegetables fron Joji's plots and her great salad dressing. Doc Rey joined us when there was hardly any left at the plates. He opted to meet his friends earlier and had lunch with us inbetween meeting up with vets. Veterinarians, not veterans :)

Headed to Helen's Farm of Andry and Joji. You are first greeted by workers working in the fermented plant and fruit juices. Another group, blending the rice bran and corn with the fermented juices. Another team working on the Cacao harvest. The number of workers are least, you won't believe it, in the piggery houses! Just before you walk in, Andry makes you eat the blue flowers that bloom from the vine as you enter the piggery. So you enter walking and talking about the taste of the flowers, laughing and loud. Then you see the pigs....you somewhat make a double look as you can't be around all these pigs...NO SMELL. NO NOISE... sleeping, not wanting to budge at your intruding! Even communal nurseries...Doc Rey has to go back there.

We went around the veggy plots. No farm inputs, no green houses, just yellow plastic bags, split and painted with used cooking oil to attract the insects. Toured the area where chickens may have a new place.

Next stop, we went to Malagos Resort. Mrs. Puentespina was so happy that Zac Sarian was around and going to stop by her farm. We toured through Cacao trees, solar driers, fermenting tanks, as they are in production for export to a US chocolate company. We were treated to taste the production of good tasting 70% Cacao, that had a sugar cane after taste. Packaged in old look vintage design, you will be glad you were able to partake of it as it gives you pride that it is sold as a premium chocolate elsewhere. Goats were happy, and the cages were clean. They also followed Andry and Joji's recommendations on natural farming. We were treated to a hot chocolate drink and goat cheese.

A friend of Zac invited us for dinner. Thank you that Andry and Joji came as it was a noisy chinese restaurant...it may have been uncomfortable for me if they weren't around. Time to stand...good! On the way back to the hotel...Joji may have read our minds and asked if we wanted Durian. YES! Timing that Doc Rey was just around the corner from Magsaysay Park and was really headed back to Grand Regal. So, we all met for Durian.

Next morning I was good and worked for the seminar. Stayed in the hotel and liasoned for the presentation. Zac was off to a breakfast meeting and Doc Rey had his own too. Seminar that day went fine, well attended...we even had to open up the next room so we will have proper spacing like when brooding chicks :) We have to thank Dante Delima for coming to attend the seminar as their group is planning on raising Sunshines. He ended up giving a talk on natural farming after Doc Rey, w/c the participants were most thankful for. A golden bonus.

Larry, who we meet a lot during AANI activities and is very involved for the Mindanao Fruits, invited us for dinner and durian buffet in his restaurant, D' Farmers Market, known where corporate accounts take their visitors for Durian. The gift Andry and Joji again. They came by and joined us. It was agreed that we all go to Larry's farm early next day with a trip to the pig farm again as this time Doc Rey will join us.

I have to remember to mention that we had been sleeping well inspite of being overly loaded with food. We have to credit Joji's FFJ 3Cs.

The 20th, our last day...I request for a late checkout and thankfully was granted as we wanted to be able to take a shower after the farm visits. Doc Rey was so awed at Andry's farm. Asking the typical vet questions :) Then off running to Larry's farm for the Durian buffet of really fresh off the trees, just harvested that morning, fruits!

By 2:30pm, we were at Waterfront to meet up with some vets, and to see the convention as it was our main alibi for flying to Davao.

Thank you for this trip, there were gift of friends, knowledge and Durian and FFJ. Walk with us..

Fresh Cacao

It was just about 2weeks ago that I saw a fresh Cacao fruit (if that is what you call it) in a trade show in Vigan City. I was blaming myself for not buying one out of curiosity.

Today, in Davao, we had hot chocolate drinks, ate tableas and processed dark chocolates. I satisfied my eyes seeing these Cacao trees, fruits in trees, bagged for protections against fruit borers, and saw them being harvested, and pried open for processing. The fresh cacao seeds are fermented to get that Choco flavor. True! As is fresh, you won't say they will have that addicting and heavenly Chocolate flavor. I got to taste it fresh.....Jasmine like Atis flavor. Refreshing...but please ferment and process mine. I will wait for my hot thick bitter chocolate drink please. I can wait in line for it :)

The picture above is from Helen's Farm of Andry and Joji Lim. Organically grown and healthy to eat....except when you use a lot of milk and sugar :)

Capon Breeder Search

The statistics of the visitors in one's website tells you the profile of your readers. What they are searching for, what led them to you, the pages that get a lot of interest etc.

I make it a point to read my site stats. Today something caught my attention. Someone typed the keywords capon breeders in their search bar. It led them to this blog.

Capons are not bred. They are not a product of breeding. There are no parent stocks that gives us capons.

Capons are castrated male chickens. So, any male chicken may be a capon. They give you meat that is fat, tender and very flavorful.

This is an old art that is most sought after by people who know their chickens. Continue on searching and reading about this old practice.

To start with, since our Sunshines have that "native taste" it is a good product for your capons. It will be a good idea to focus on this niche in your area.

Fiesta Time

Yes, we do eat everyday. They say that Filipinos are such big chicken eaters.

That means we may be serving chicken everyday. If I were to base from our sales of chicks and dressed chickens, the people around have learned to eat good and healthy chickens...Sunshines in particular!

We have doubled our production...and we expect the number to increase yet in the next few weeks as our Certified Parent Stocks have performed better than expected in terms of production, hatchability and time frames.

Do we have problems with disposing? Nope. Early and sustainable marketing built the consumer consciousness.

There will be seasons and time when the demand will go up further.... You think it was just Christmas time? There are graduations, fiestas etc...and TODAY will be the perfect time to load. In time to harvest in April and May.

Plan your loading so you maximize harvests, time, effort and profit.

Table Eggs In Demand

Table egg production, from grass fed and free ranged Sunshines are in demand. We sell at PHP250/tray of 30s and it is very in demand.

Another business idea one may go into is the table egg production.

You may slaughter the male Sunshines for meat, and maintain the females as layers. On the 5th to 6th month, when they reach sexual maturity, they start to drop and give you brown colored eggs. The egg yolks will be deep orange in color, and have no fishy taste.

Expect to get about 180 eggs per annum from one hen :) They will not be as productive as your hormone laden white chicken layers, in terms of number of eggs, but the health benefits and premium pricing will make it worth it.

Try the eggs...you will be proud if you produced them.

AANI Herbal Garden & Livelihood Center

Agri Aqua Network International (AANI) has relocated inside the Quezon Memorial Circle. If you are driving, enter the Commonwealth gate of Quezon Memorial Circle. right across Philippine Coconut Authority bldg (Philcoa). After you pay the parking attendant, you make a right immediately to enter the parking lot. You will instantly see the AANI area. Park right in front of the building.

Aside from the regular stalls that are open daily, there will now be a weekend market that will carry fresh produce, on Saturdays and Sundays.

Of course, we will be there. We enjoy being there with the AANI gang, eating inihaw under the trees...and entertaining the hobbyists and weekend farmers who frequent the place.

The relocation is great! Walk in sales have at least doubled if not tripled for all. See you more often there.

Seminars In Key Cities

Now that we are pacing with our schedules and workloads better. Jobs have been delegated and may be supervised through online data transfers and cameras...

We will be scheduling seminars nationwide, starting with the key cities. Minimal fee will have to be charged to cover venues. Don't worry, it will be very fair, granting that we did the travelling for you.

If your company, LGUs, organization, groups etc are interested to set up a livelihood seminar on raising Sunshine Chicken, please feel free to contact us.

Please check schedules we will be posting here.

Maraming salamat :)

Fridays The 13th

I love the Fridays that fall on the 13th of the month.

Its the non conformist in me, going against the flow, being different, wanting to do what is said to be hard, quaint....

It is no cult belief nor black magic here. I just like it because people dread it and relate it to bad luck.

I always see it from another point of view and it makes it fun :)

Maybe I get a special treat for 2days...the 13th and 14th of February!

Joining IFEX 2009

Contract signed and booth chosen for the International Food Exhibition.

This will be on 15-17 May 2009, at SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

We will be at booth A9, located at the retail section. Coming from the Exporters' area, we will be the 1st booth to your right, as you enter the retail area.

I am looking forward to this show as it was a success last year. Congratulations to CITEM.

Another NAGA Seminar UPDATED

Due to demand for a more proper seminar, as the March06 dispersal/seminar may not be enough time as there will be other programs.

WHAT: Seminar on Raising Sunshine Chickens
WHERE: Sinulog Tribo Grill (in front of Naga Cathedral)
WHEN: March 5, 2pm
FEE: PHP300
WHO: Rey B. Itchon, DVM

Please register through info@solraya.com or text (0917) 847-2639.

Lemon Meringue Torte

Last night I remembered that I had to see Heny Sison for product development.

To share and for them to taste, I prepared two sets of Coco Milk and our organic salted duck eggs. One set for my mother and another set for me to share with the cooking group. That is how much I am confident about Organika's products. It is meant for my mother and a discriminate eating group. Anyway, it didn't get to the eating group as my mother liked it so much, she asked that whatever I had in the car be left with her :)

Off to get Mitos, part of my PR team..then we headed to Heny Sison's office. Such a jumpy place for a late morning meeting. Classrooms were full. Her office had several meetings going on, she was also on the phone. By the time she waved us in, she sort of had the cove already, ready for chika chika.

I was there for the product development for the marketing of harvest from Ilocos Sur. Initial samples were sent to Gov DV and he texted me this morning saying "masarap". Heny said she had to pinch in the area of the tail, as she can't resist to make a final taste, before it was sent to Gov DV.

Other chicken recipes had been discussed and they will do kitchen testings.

Meantime, thank God, Heny asked that we be served coffee and Lemon Meringue Torte. I spied on that cake as we were going up the stairs, passing by the chillers..seeing what was in the offering wehehhehe

It was a good coincidence that the working team for the coffeetable book on Ilocos Sur was there. Food styling was the initial discussion. Then the month long event at Intercon of Ilocos Sur in May. Chef Nick from Candon was there too.

Tagal ng cake and coffee.....Heny said they had all sorts of coffee available because she had a barista class going on...ok...so we wait more :)

Chika galore, as schedules are forced to be moved as an impromtu trip is being planned. Also a trip to Ilocos Sur with Mitos while Heny and I are there!

Finally the cake and coffee came. This is what I love about meeting with Chefs and foodies. The servings are substantial. You can taste every morsel. The icing and creams are there to compliment flavors and not just to act as washy color. I ate my Lemon Meringue Torte fast and stole some of Mitos', on the pretense that she was just letting it sit. Too late, I gulped it fast...she was saving the best for last, she said.

Hmmmmm, I know Gilbert Lee wanted to discuss somethings w/ Mitos....I hope to get called on to help them taste.

Packaging

Aesthetically and functionality, I like our simple vacuum packaging.

Another business idea one may do for food retailers is to come up with packaging for chilled/frozen food.

I got several of the thermal bags with fabric outer covers. Nice and simple and can withstand some time out of the freezers and sit in cars when given as gifts. Today, I was with a media friend who was out interviewing an agriculturist from Bicol who was assigned to the technology of making handicrafts from tree barks and corn husks/hair.

She says that they bags we was showing us were easy to make and was of course from materials that are thrown away. No need for molds, special equipments nor a lot of manpower. You need your corn husks/hair, glue, dye and I presumed a flat table surface to straighten it out as you brush glue :)

It was so practical, cheap and your products can breathe...no need to tear your paper wrapping to peep wehehhehehe.

It withstands moisture and of course reusable bag.

As we say...no use fretting now...move in these trying times.

Going Around

Eating the regional delicacies and learning about the place's articrafts, used to be a sidetrip whenever we go around for seminars or when joing friends in farm visits.

Lately, because of Organika and our other weekend markets, we find ourselves looking forward to going to the local markets and sourcing new ideas and products to sell.

Interesting to buy a few of food items that takes my fancy. Finding out sources, how it is made, ingredients that go into it. Taking small bites, then bigger mouth fulls :) Tasting the difference and relishing the taste. Wanting to distinguish it from all the others of the same name.

I have to blame this sourcing for all the weigh gain. As if I didn't have my saddles even before all these trips!

Benguet State University Seminar

We have to thank the support of Benguet State University to Doc Karen, during our seminar yesterday. It was well advertised and technical support can't be overlooked. The entrance to the main campus, we were greeted by our Sunshine banner. I later found out that our other banner was used during the parade.

We had the auditorium as venue. Aside from Vetmed students and faculty, there were at least 63 listed farmers who came and some of our dealers attended also.

Visited the demo farm, where the barn for the Sunshine Chickens of BSU were. There were co-existing happily with the goats and turkeys :)

Starting today, Benguet State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, will be selling Sunshine Day Old Chicks. They are serving the inquiries brought about by the seminar and the visibility of their demo farm.

8th Philippine Food Expo

SM Megatrade Halls 1,2 & 3 will be the venue of the 8th Philippine Food Expo (Philfoodex).

It will showcase regional and national food products.

Dressed grass fed Sunshines will be available in the NCR section, booth #236. See you on March 05-08. That is Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Joining INAHGEN 2010

When the email for the invitation and layout for INAHGEN 2010 came in, I had to do a doubletake on what I was reading...2010, yes I read correct. Come to think of it, that is just 1year from now and yes time flies and our schedules are full...so its fitting to block-off dates this early.

Rare that I find myself in my homebase office desk. Today was busy with faxes and email replies...and yes for shows, seminars and talks. March is almost filled up too!

Leche Flan Please

My favorite food blogs have posted about Leche Flans in the past few days. Maybe coincidence that they have thought about this light and creamy dessert from eggs and fresh milk.

I like using real fresh carabao's milk please for my Leche Flan( you might want to try my recipe). If you used eggs from grass fed Sunshines, you end up with glorious golden Leche Flans that you'd otherwise would have thought to have been artificially colored...just like the street kwekkweks :)

If your clients know that the eggs you used came from grass fed hens, used good fresh milk, and it all adds up to delicious flan, you will have a market for your creamy dessert.

Chicken Stock

After the pulled chicken meat...you will be left with chicken bones.

Don't just discard them to the trash bin!

Good chicken stock from scratch and no artificial seasonings may be had from those bones and wish bones :)

Slow boil those bones with onions, vegetables and you will have the tastiest chicken stock from scratch. You may freeze them and sell as chicken stock. Most cooks will prefer buying this, rather than making of from letter A, as it is time consuming. Now you know why most kitchens have the buillion cubes which taste of additives.

For dark stock, use bones from roasted Sunshine Chicken. For clear soup stock, use the bones from Sunshine that had been steamed or boiled.

The Power Of Pen

I am no writer. Wehehheh it should be obvious from my blog.

OMG, I disliked my language, reading, history classes from elementary days onwards. They say the teachers have a lot to do with how a student likes her subjects. I like the teachers...its the subjects I don't :( I buy from National Bookstore the pamphlets/synopsis of books we had to read. Am so lucky always, getting the answers during tests without really dissecting the matter.

Anyway, I think I will attend "The Power of Pen", a food writing workshop scheduled in March. Why am I attending then?

Basing from the blog statistics that we get, Solraya's Sunshine Chicken blog gets a lot of readers, both unique (first timers) and repeat readers. Surely, the attention the blog gets is not from my writing form, but thankfully from our content.

Because of that, I owe it to the readers to have a more entertaining blog....wehehheeh THAT IS, IF a 2day seminar will change it. Remember, I said I hated writing since grade school!

The blog, our weekend markets, our Organika....and most of all, myself, should benefit from hearing others.

Am sure I will have an interesting time. I always make sure to have that :)

DAVAO Seminar, Feb19

Definite information and final schedule.

When: Feb 19, 2009
Where: Function Room, Grand Regal Hotel, 3pm
Fee: PHP300
Topic: Raising Sunshine Chicken
Speaker: Doc Rey - Rey B. Itchon, DVM

We normally want our seminars for free. But we are from out of town and needed a venue. The best we could do for accessibility and convenience for all is getting a conference room at Grand Regal. I believe its fair for everyone that the PHP300 fee to be charged per head for the seminar, includes snacks.

Please register thru (0917) 847-2639, and be at the venue at about 2:30pm. You may pay at the door.

Thank you and see you on the 19th.

Pulled Chicken Meat

For people who want to eat healthy food, preparing them may be the factor that inhibits them.

One should be able to enjoy salads with pulled meat from chicken that had been roasted, smoked, barbecued, cooked in turbo, steamed etc. You can cook in bulk and prepare them, packed in small quantities, frozen and ready to use for salads or for chicken sandwich spreads :)

The use of the bones will be another post...

Resellers

We've met a lot of customers who come to us because they had been advised by their medical doctors and health counsellors about eating antibiotic free food.

They talk about their experiences in looking for healthy alternatives, spending time, money and effort in their sojourns.

They also spend endless times in doctor's clinics in waiting rooms. Active in participation in group help counsellings, they meet a lot of same condition people.

You can help the others cut on their time and effort to search for healthy food. You have the obvious, instant market. If you care to earn additional income, this is one aspect of the Sunshine Chicken industry that you may enter...resell :)

(0917) 8-DOC REY

In our position to make us very accessible, we have made it easier for you to contact our Technical Veterinarian.

Please save (0917) 8-DOC REY, that is (0917) 836-2739. Easy recall, easy to reach.

Note that is not Doc Rey's active number, but we will check that unit several times of the day to get back to your queries.

Honored

Ilocano cd,drive going to Ilocos...we were quiet. Doc Rey and Zac would lapse to laughing and commenting on the Ilocano song that I can't understand.

Think fast, do something, create new conversation......maybe that is why the topic drifted to the blog, the seminar that just passed and back to the blog that will be zacsarian.blogspot.com.

Zac had always wanted an online presence. He thought it entailed a lot of work, manpower and expense. He said he needed help. Well, what help when he had the skills, experience and the eye for what will sell. Remember, he had been selling/publishing for the longest time. All he needed was a clerk! I told him by that night, before 12midnight, he will have his blog for the start of his sign, the Year of the Ox.

Next day at breakfast, he was talking about Sunshine. I begged off...saying....may he just write about us sometime later? It looks tacky and self serving. He said he will email me the post and I post it....as (shhhhhh) he is intimidated by virus alerts and USB connections.

I get his assistant's email, subject : FR MR SARIAN! Wow, how formal I thought. It dawned on me I never called Zac yet as Mr. Sarian except when to introduce him :) I went a fast cut and paste....to post. It won't ACCEPT??! hmmmmm....I wonder if Manila Bulletin has a security feature wehehehheh...

I had to retype....akala ko di ako tatagal! Hard to retype ha. Anyway, that's when it dawned on me he wrote about us.

Very honored...bow....Salamat :)

Chicken Embutido

I have this co-vendor at the Sidcor Green Street Market who sells home made cheese.

The organizer told me that Rico wanted to get my chickens to try for Chicken Embutido. Soon after I saw Rico and we were discussing about how the skin isn't fatty etc.

Jived with my earlier post about different business ideas that go beyond simply raising grass fed chickens. Am sure Rico hasn't read this blog. Today was the 2nd time in a span of two weeks, that he asked if "Solraya" was my lastname :)

Business Ideas

Notice that my recent postings were all for spin off business ideas?

There is life aside from just raising Sunshine Chickens. The bigger circles are all around, not just the dressed chicken market. There are other business opportunities.

This is how we assist in marketing. Marketing concepts to raisers. Advertising. Educating consumers. Visibility. Accessibility. We ship nationwide.

If we are known, then the product will be easier to sell by the growers.

Sunshine Chicken Longaniza

If I had the time, I want to have my favorite Alaminos, Pangasinan and Vigan, Ilocos Sur Longanizas in Sunshine Chicken instead of pork.

I had been encouraging some people to do it. Everyone's reply was it won't be good without the fat. But that's just the point! There is definitely that sector, "the hometown garlicky taste of longaniza they love" people. They want that taste, but in a healthier version. No preservatives.

A trader should address this market. Those healthy food buffs won't buy the fatty pork longanizas anyway, so they should look into the alternative market for that huge longaniza craving, using grass fed chickens.

Vigan should open eyes to this. They have the garlic. They have that known market for longaniza. And they have a government who looks after tourism and livelihood.

Hoping to taste some Vigan Sunshine Chicken Longaniza!

Benguet State University Vet Med Week 2009

Excited to go to Baguio next week. The nippy cool air...though not anymore clean...is still tickling and sets the atmosphere for eating!

A seminar on Raising Sunshine Chicken had been alloted for us to do on Feb 6, Friday, 1-3pm. This is FREE and open to all. Vet Med campus.

Ready To Range Capons

Another great business idea is to do ready to range capons. It is an old art and not many people know how to do this.

One grower of ours have specialized on the Sunshine Capons, timing his harvests during the festival season of Christmas, town fiestas etc. Actually, the capons are served in special occassions and should know no particular season as it will always be demanded.

The gourmets know the distinct difference in meat quality of capons. Priced higher at PHP300/kilo dressed, it is sought after by the market that knows.

We have had inquiries about getting capon cockerels, or the ready to range ones.

Look into this business. It is a good niche for a select market.

Ready To Range For Profit

The brooding stage of chicks is the most important phase of growing. This is the make or break in their growth's takeoff.

1) Heat - the light in brooder cages are not there for them to see. They need the heat from those bulbs keep them warm and comfortable. If they feel cold or too warm, they don't eat nor move around. They push against each other to get air or to get warmth. They should be comfortable in their surrounding's temperature.

2) Space Requirement - They need to play and move around easily. With proper space requirements of 1ft/bird, they have the room to mingle, exercise and eat without having to wrestle for space.

3) Feeds and Water - Adlibitum feeding means they always have feeds in their feeders. They eat all the time and they need that to make them strong for their ranging days. Have clean drinking water all the time.

4) Beddings - These keep them warm and dry. Make sure it is always clean. Yes your Sunshines are strong and disease resistant for the most part...but you have to exercise biosecurity and proper poultry management.

5) Vaccinate - We personally do not vaccinate, but check if you need, depending on your location and neighbors.

6) Observe - Keenly keep an eye on them. You will understand your flock when you are intouch.

Most people are afraid of brooding, or fail in this area. Most difficult and important 3weeks. Proper brooding is the cheapest way to successful raising of your Sunshines.

Some people have seen this opportunity of livelihood. They are good in brooding. Less time and space is needed before they harvest :)

They brood and sell their ready to range Sunshines at a profit of course. The customers are more than willing to do away with the brooding. Downside is you can't be sure how the 3weeks were done...feeding etc. Trust is a factor.

Increased Production

Our production have increased starting this week and will be doubling up in the next couple of weeks.

Our 3rd batch of Certified Parent Stocks (2nd batch of SASSO of France) have started to give us production.

Why you ask, are we doubling up our output? Not really planned at this stage. Our 2nd batch and present breeders are already from SASSO of France. We were basing our egg production and fertility rate from our previous set of breeders. Of course from the onset the production of SASSO was far better, but we didn't anticipate that their fertility curve was far better than the 1st batch we had.

Everything fell into place. We have increased demand from our clients, and we have doubled our production.

Double output and we now have the naked necks!

DEALER LIST

MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING REAL SUNSHINE.

updated 21 October 2010

We have refocused and making it cheaper and easier for all to have  access to good tasting and healthy chicken meat.  You may grow your own food or get from farmers you know and trust.  Get to know your farmer.  Its all about farming :)

How did we make it cheaper and more accessible to grow clean meat?  We run trials and have gotten the results we wanted by using the white chicks that are used for commercial poultry raising. 

When given probiotics/fermented plant juices and pastured for the same time as its colored cousins, they have the same taste, and surely the healthy benefits are in how it was raised.

We are teaching you a concept.  We are selling you the idea of raising/eating well.  Food that you may grow yourself.  Food that you may entrust to farmers you really know.

If for some reason you can't find dayold chicks in your area, or you want the brand that we use, then we can cater them to you.  But again, the ,most ideal is get the chicks from your area.  The point was to make it cheaper and easy for all farmers.

ISABELA:
Santiago, Solraya Enterprises (Panganiban St)

METRO MANILA:
Quezon City, AANI Quezon Memorial Circle

Look Around And Be Seen

Our visibility and trips opens us to other opportunities. From Ilocos Sur now we get the native garlic and onions. We load them on back to Manila and sell in Organika. The farmers are able to get some cash from us and dispose some of their stocks.

Another is the ready to use powdered form Stevia, w/c my friend imports. I wasn't too keen on carrying that, but it is a good alternative to using name branded artificial sweeteners. Surprisingly, when we displayed it, caught a lot of attention.

In trying times...maximize time, effort and opportunities. You should be creative and be functional to and fro. Business and pleasure.

January is almost over....

Worst Is Yet To Come For RP Economy.... How Do You Move Then?

That was the status of a person on my YM list. I asked why so negative...

He said people should see and feel the negative so they can move and work beyond the problems. Well....maybe in Japan where he is based. For the majority of us Filipinos in the Philippines...we sit back and relax for all reasons. We relax when we feel comfortable and confident. We relax more when we think the worse is yet to come...much more when worst is to come! Scared? Nuh....more like statue game, poker face duh.

Someone called me the other day and said that the competitor told him that they are riding on our advertising and marketing advances. Thank you for the compliment. If you are riding on someone, why backlash them? Ride with the good wind...because if you kill your competitor, you damage the industry too. So goes for all. No time now for bickerings and politicking. We all have to move on and reinvent ourselves.

Last week, I was toying with horizontal marketing in my mind. Who to do it with, how, when, what. Destiny drops the pieces in the puzzle.

We had a client who wants to get closest to organic raising of Sunshines. We needed a key person to guide him. Well, today's article of Zac Sarian turned on the light. He featured us at the same time. Of course Tere and Armand of Earthkeepers! So when Doc Rey met with the client this morning, he just handed them the Manila Bulletin to refer to.

Tere coincidentally texted me about pricing of day old chicks as she was getting inquiry from people who visit their farm. We talked on the phone and she was also thinking about integration of seminars to benefit the participants from learning from people who are technical already, outside and beyond the organic farm inputs.

I can picture Zac writing out his columns earlier. He features articles for other people to sieve doable ideas from. Linking suppliers maybe wasn't in his agenda today.

Back to my negative friend.....he wasn't really negative. He was on the road of pushing and scaring people to bring out the best in them.

Sure, with the proper motivation and psyche....yes, problems are hurdles to get to better things.

"moshi moshi"

zacsarian.blogspot.com

Often, during our conversations while traveling, Zac Sarian would talk about how he wants to have a website and thinks about hiring someone to do it for him.

Last Sunday, he caught the tail end of Doc Rey's seminar for Sunshine Chicken. He saw how full Organika was, the profile of the people who attended and how interested they were. So when we reached NLEX and started our talks again, it drifted to the profile of the attendees, their interest, and the number that turned up for the seminar.

We summed it to: people are thirsty to do something new, different and the economic times are not a time to take uncalculated chances. We talked about multi seminars that we can take nationwide etc.

He asked again about a website and the expenses that I incur in doing mine. Huh? "I use blogger.com free" I do have a registered solraya.com but I want the ease and freedom to type and post when I want. Aesthetics is important to you..I asked. He said, "no, content is". Then blogger.com will be ok then!

If you want more from Zac, aside from his Thursday, Saturday and Sunday articles....check his zacsarian.blogspot.com

It will be on a slow start....as he has to get his personal paraphernalia going....but don't worry. His ideas are all stored already. Eager to run (is an understatement)!

Soft Opening Of Solraya In Vigan

I was in a rush to take this photo, so the Sunshine Chicken in the signboard doesn't show well. But...we are in business in Vigan City. Strategically located along Alcantara St., we have to our right Mercury, HBC, Metrobank and Jollibee to our left. Situated across the public market. We are happy about our neighbors :)

Just today, our staff reports that the fakes now have comparisons for the real Sunshine Chicks. Feedpro will be glad they used our pictures for the signboard that we displayed.

The soft opening sales far outdid our expectations. The opening crew from Santiago stores are just there to fix the stores to the layout we are used to....as our staff reshuffles. While fixing the store, they can't help but attend to customers already.

We opened this outlet because we can't find a dealer who will push the product with our passion and maintain fair prices.

Happy New Store!

F&B World

Get the latest issue of F&B World, Jan/Feb 2009.

The magazine featured our naturally grown chickens, with a full article.

Coincidence that Chef Sunshine is the cover story.

I was so excited when I got a text from Lori Baltazar that she has seen the article. Was in Vigan that time and hopes was dampened for me that I will find a new release copy that day. We had a last minute lunch appointment at Max' :) Lo and behold, they had newly arrived copies of F&B World at the bakeshop counter!

Dressed Deliveries

For first time orders for Organika deliveries, I prefer doing them myself.

Why? I can get lost and no body scolds me. I take time to find out what is the area in terms of stores etc, and take note of hard to find doorbells, cameras, speakerphones, dogs and auto garage openers that may intimidate our driver. So, we note those out of the ordinaries, to spare them :) Also, you are able to calculate timetables when the drivers are on the route.

Yesterday was one fine day for me. Five new addresses to find. Took me from 9am-3pm!

Hey....the difference between delivering live day old chicks and dressed chickens will be an interesting topic.

Reality Checks

Today I did the deliveries for the day old chicks to Cavite/Laguna/Alabang area.

Short on manpower as the volume of chicks increase :) Two drivers were off to North West Luzon. Was that enough? No. Doc Rey was also on a separate trip to that same area for farm visits and to check on the renovation on our Solraya Vigan store.

The South deliveries could have waited. But....it was my opportunity to touch base with our dealers, scout the route the drivers take, compute time and distances to match expenses etc. I had the whole morning to myself too. The store managers of the dealers were surprised I was delivering by myself. Only way to get the feel of the route :)

Tomorrow, I deliver orders from our Organika customers.

Yes, you have to work your way up the ladder. Best exercise is to go up and down that flight of stairs...literally and figuratively. If you drop somethings on the way up or down, you will always find it either way.

Wakeboarding?

Over lunch today, my son and I were discussing about our separate trips to Camarines Sur. Us, to do a seminar. Him?

He is leaving on Friday to take the lazy boy bus with his friends, go wakeboarding, then fly back on Sunday. I said never heard of that bus company...lazy boy. Oh well, he said it was an executive bus of a bus company. :) Then he had to explain to me what wakeboarding was. Sounded like a hyped skateboarding to me.

I was texting my DA CamSur contact about where the wakeboarding was etc. He must have thought I was into it and sounded quite surprised.

Now, surfing about it...no wonder he thought I was not me he was texting with! Read about wakeboarding in Camarines Sur.

BJ said you should have balance and be fit. Now I understand why. It will still be interesting for me to visit the place and watch.

When Are Fakes More Expensive?

Yesterday, Doc Rey came across a vendor of obviously fake SASSO chicks. Why obviously fake? Because Solraya, to date, is the only importer of Certified Parent Stocks from SASSO of France since we cemented talks in 2007. Even our competitor has to point to us as the only source of SASSO origins, in the Philippines.

Back to Doc Rey... He approached the chick vendor and asked what was being sold. The man replied SASSO, but said they were crossed. He was selling at PHP50 per chick! Doc Rey listened to him say that out of the number of eggs he sets in the incubator, he gets 75% hatchability. Not too bad you may say, huh? But wait....he continues that out of the 75% that hatches, 50% lives on day1. The number continues to dwindle during brooding stage.

That leaves him with about 37.5% of production at day1. No wonder he has to sell at PHP50. Do you think that is a fair price if not expensive? Considering that we are at PHP35....he is cheap!

Why will I say that he sells cheaply? The man doesn't have the economies of scale. He may just have 350-1000 heads. He spends a lot on feeds for such a poor production. Even if he grew his inbred chicks for meat production, he will lose money and time because of slow growth. Most importantly, he loses a lot on his expectations.

As I always say....IF it was profitable to cross breed and in breed, why will we be periodically importing Certified Parent Stocks? Why don't the big companies who are into the industrial chickens just inbreed? Who amongst the farms that inbred have sustained the business?

Are the fakes expensive or cheap? Wehehhe its like seeing the black dot or the white paper. Expensive for the buyer, but cheap price for the seller...that's the reality.

New Year, New Breeders, New Line, New Store....

Those translate to chaotic schedules for our team now! Oh, don't get us wrong...we aren't complaining. We are enjoying the roller coaster of juggling schedules. You wake up not knowing where you are, literally.

Some delays are for the best. Our printer was late in doing our calendars....it allowed us to include our new baby Vigan :)

By now I hope it is clear to all we are here for the long haul. We have imported periodically and have culled breeders to protect the industry. New lines for 2009 have been decided on and timetables have been set with SASSO of France.

Watch out for new areas in the business. We always reinvent ourselves for you.

Naga Seminar UPDATED

DA in Camarines Sur have just been in touch and wants to schedule a seminar for Raising Sunshine Chickens for March 06. This will be done on the same day as their dispersal of 1month old Sunshines.

This is thru the project of Cong. Luis Villafuerte, who had started to order Sunshines since late 2007.

You may coordinate with DA Cam Sur. Meantime, keep those dates open, so you may attend our FREE seminar in Naga. Doc Rey intends to be in the area, for your questions, for a couple of days.

DA Guimba Seminar

Scheduled for tomorrow, January 16 at 2pm.

LGUs in the area have requested for a seminar on Raising Sunshine Chicken. If you are interested, feel free to join.

If you want a seminar held in your area, just coordinate with us and we will conduct one for you.

Ilocos Sur Seminars

Since we are in Ilocos Sur every Monday, we will be able to schedule FREE seminars every Monday.

Contact us thru (0917) 847-2639 so we may schedule in your area, or at our Solraya Vigan branch.

Thank you sa Ilocos Sur!

Strengthening Links

For so many years, almost 10....we'd pass by Ilocos Sur area, to or from Ilocos Norte. Stopping by Vigan to sleep overnight and pass by the Cathedral...maybe the real reason was to eat empanada :)

I had a patron in the church...St. Jude. Out of the blue, Joey Rigor calls me as Gov DV sets an appointment and the rest is history. St. Jude must have found a way to make us visit him weekly!

The spillover sales of the project of Gov DV made some people interested to be dealers...but we didn't think it'll be effective since they were pricing themselves for short time deals. Meaning, they were selling the Sunshines too high.

Our former dealer in Vigan encountered health and eventually financial problems. They thought about having half of their store rented out and they get out of the poultry supply business.

AGP Poultry Supply store location is perfect and we lost no time in closing the deal. Doc Rey was there this morning. Signed, sealed delivered! Right across the market. Shakey's on the left and Mercury Drug on the right. That location will be good for an Organika Vigan too.

Now we have Solraya Vigan!

Don't Just Feel It. Taste It!

Remember that commercial for a shampoo? As I was reviewing photos taken in Ilocos Sur of this very pretty girl, I recalled that Alice Dixon ad :)

During the lunch breaktime during Monday's dispersal, we decided to hie off to Sinait. That is the last town of Ilocos Sur, boundary of Ilocos Norte.

Led to the recipients of the 1st dispersal in December, saw us looking at almost 2 kilo Sunshines :) It was 1.5k around Christmas time, but recipients thought that the project coordinators needed to check on it before they are able sell. Some other recipients were apologetic that they have started to sell.

That is the point! Gov DV and I chorused that "that is what we want"! Starting next week, recipients will start to give back eight (8) adults, so they may qualify to get 100 21day old chicks again.

Baguio Seminar, February UPDATED

TOPIC: Raising Sunshine Chicken from Day1 to Harvest
WHEN: February 6, 2009, 1-3pm
WHERE: Benguet State University

Vet Med Week once again at Benguet State University. Just like last year, we were there for the event. A product presentation was done last year. This time, a full seminar will be done.

Open to all FOR FREE. All are welcome to come for the seminar, growers, dealers, farmers, end users etc. Please follow signs that will be posted in the Vet Med Campus of BSU. No need to pre-register. Just come on time.

Thank you BSU for the support :)

Agriculture Magazine Jan 2009

Talk about great starts....

The latest issue of Agriculture Magazine by Manila Bulletin, has the editor writing about Gov DV Savellano's agriculture projects for Ilocos Sur.

Timely that we are making the trip tomorrow to IS, and bringing with us the gift of media coverage :)

Zac Sarian hopes to be back to Ilocos Sur very soon to check on the harvests and dispersals of Sunshine Chicken in that province. Dispersals are done weekly. They should be harvesting the first batch real soon.

Great Start

Today we thought was going to be a slow day, as we came to start the normal schedules for the weekend markets.

As I am typing this at 10:30, I know I will pack up by 12 noon. I don't know what made this a fast day. Did they want home cooked meals after the parties? They had been gifted and wanted to buy for their own now? They heard about it in social gatherings? All of the above :)

Doc Rey got two calls from two different radio stations for interview this morning. Both shows asked him to talk about what to expect for 2009 from Sunshine:

1) Naked necks from SASSO of France - sturdier and tastier line. The growers have asked for this line. We are now test hatching and may have it available end of January at the earliest.

2) Organika will get bigger - We will continue to source new and good natural products for you.

3) Nationwide - seminars and farm visits. Our commitment to sustainability is to teach and monitor.

4) Organikarts - Just toyed up with this yesterday. Make the Organika products readily available and convenient for most people. Carts....

Good to be up and about. Being available at the right time and proper places.

Market For Capons

When we first featured Joey Rigor doing the Sunshine Capons, it got a lot of attention. That time, he was learning the curve for the business of the capons. Because he started sometime May, we were able to feature the old art of raising capons for several trade shows. By Christmas time, people have preordered Joey's capons :)

He has already in his brooders now capons for release in May.

Capons need not be just for Christmas. All year round, there will be a need for a festive dish :) There will always be parties, birthdays and anniversaries. Graduations and fiestas are also mid year.

I found this article, for people who don't know what capons are.

1

100%=1

The previous posts may seem negligible to some, but it is the small steps that mean a lot to us...it got us to our present location and will navigate us to our destination. Hmmm...seems I am relying on my GPS too much? weheehheeh

Where we are now...merits thanking everyone and everything in our midst. Everyone means customers, growers, friends and media partners. Some media partners have transcended and became friends :)

Blessings come mostly masked as hurdles. But we work hard and strive too, and together with support from everyone around, we get to chirp at the end of the day.

Thank you for 2008. We will be working harder for 2009.

Another 100%

Hard to document feasibility studies as different strokes for different folks, when you talk about free ranging, grass fed Sunshines.

After I greet Maricel, head of my crew for Santiago City, I asked her how her sales went. She sells her harvest to her neighbors. So for the end of 2008, she sold 50% of her 100 . She sold her dressed chickens at php190/kilo and the liver at php200/kilo. At an average of 1.2-1.5 kilos dressed in 60days, I made a quick compution and asked her that if she sold 50 out of her 100 chicks, then she must have already gotten back her investment, plus a little some?

She smiled "yes". So she looks forward now to selling the remaining. As those will be her profit.

She is now preparing for a new batch to brood. Think graduations, and fiesta time :)

100%

100% lasang native!

That's our tagline.

Today, the 1st working day for our stores, we got so much good feedback from the backyard farmers. They cooked it for their own and neighbors' consumption, sold meat and some gave it as gifts during the Christmas season. They said the word is the tagline was true...100% lasang native.

One said it had a fantastic taste, but rubbery when roasted. Depending on how you cook it, because I and a lot of other customers roast a lot. I love baking in the oven or using my turbo broiler. It is firm, but not tough. For first timers, you can't compare the texture to the regular industrial chickens that you are used to :)

For the holidays, I served it as roasted with herbs and in home cooked adobo style. Wiped out about tubs of pure liver pate in two days in separate gatherings. Deep friend the gizzard originally cooked adobo style.

My gauge of a good product? When its the men in the crowd asking for the chicken, pate etc!

100% in taste and health benefits.

Are you...

Looking back or forward?

Before, I used to want the new year to begin, even as early as mid November. Maybe I wanted to get over the year? Lack of anything interesting to do? Something new was like a promise or a door to something different.

2007 and 2008 was different. Seems I didn't feel 2007 and 2008 pass. It was that hectic! I wanted to halt the last days of 2008, as there were so many things to be done yet and I didn't want to enter 2009 without the planning and listing of TO DO. Before you can do so, you have to relax to have an open mind. You need to have the possible lose ends done before you can relax. That is a big circle :)

We can't stop time though....and YES, we are now looking forward. Reopen stores and weekends markets on Saturday. We go back to Ilocos Sur on Sunday as we work closely with the project of Gov DV for his Ilocos Super Chicken.

AANI gets relocated to a much better area inside the Quezon Memorial Circle. We attend the PVMA convention in Davao and will have a seminar for Raising Sunshine Chicken about Feb19.

Wait...am suppose to relax first. Will keep you posted.

Happy, fruitful and workful lives for all of us!