Patrons

My mom had a constant companion for some Eight (8) years before she passed some months ago. She has had several changes of nurses, but a constant was her Flowerhorn. Another companion she had, long before I came to life was an image of Jesus with a Sacred Heart. She transferred residence in her later years. This was one of the very few things she took with her. She practically changed all furniture, but brought the Sacred Heart with her. I grew up with this image in the corridor leading to bedrooms. As a child, I thought it was God looking at us from Heaven. The original had clouds and angels in the background.

Devotees of the Sacred Heart of Jesus are promised of a peaceful death. My mother had that. She decided the "when". The "how", was peaceful and quiet. After which, one of the things I inherited was Flowerhorn. It was so interactive and would almost do cartwheels for us. The times we are out of town, Benny the feeder will say it was sad and was always alarmed. When we got back, we don't see any problem as she always greeted us with splits and head turns.

Last Thursday, we decided to hang the Sacred Heart above the aquarium. This photo was taken Thursday late night. We had a party....maybe she wasn't used to the crowd? The last photo taken of her in the background, as we were wrapping up "to go" for guests....

This out of town trip was no different. Benny told me yesterday that she was sad again. I wasn't alarmed as it was always the case. I knew that when we got home Saturday, she will greet us with hugs.

This morning, Tita Pilar called and told me the bad news. Flowerhorn died. They walked into the living room to feed, but found her dead. I hope the Sacred Heart also gave her a peaceful death. She was really part of the family. When you visit Mommy or Lola, you were also like visiting the Flowerhorn. We saw how she grew!

I really felt so bad. Even Doc Rey felt inutile as a veterinarian. We have pet shops and we should have seen the signs. But, no, there was none!

Over breakfast, we were discussing. Much like a meeting with our vets as we discuss cases as a group. Doc Rey was thinking out loud...hybrid...new...no real known data...he asked me to search on lifespan. I did "8-10 yrs" :(

There are patrons and companions in life. Much like sponsors. Mommy had the Sacred Heart and Flowerhorn.

My patron is St Jude. Ever since I was a in High School, it was St Jude who assisted me in desperate cases. I had been visiting an image in the Cathedral in Vigan. I am glad I was able to visit my St Jude today, as I have so many blessings to thank for.

My post has no chicken...but there will be no chickens in my life if I didn't have my patrons.

SM, Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan

Can't get away from SM. It may not be me...it is that, SM is all around...for consumers and to uplift lives of those around them :) They have the power to make it work in bridging livelihood for others and giving the best to consumers.

I grew up with SM North EDSA near our house. As a child, I'd walk around Cubao where my grandparents stayed and hop to SM. With Sunshine, our Fairview outlet is right across SM Fairview, which made me decide not to give up the location and just renovate now. We are making a new outlet in Cubao, again peeping at SM Cubao....My father always kidded that SMC stood for his initials.

Then we got calls to supply SM chain of supermarkets with our dressed Sunshines. Now another SM arm wants us to straighten out the free range chicken project they have started and the logistics for marketing, since we have been asked to supply dressed chickens.

Doc Rey did the first in a series of visits and seminars for SM Foundation last week. Because of the projection of the program, this will be an exciting endeavor.

Nice uniforms for SM Foundation's members.

Yesterday, we got a call from them, saying that the feedback was very good on our visit. The members learned a lot and understood the WHYs in their previous grows.

I had the best Guinataan Bilo-Bilo ever during the seminar. Then lunch was with the family of SM Foundation's agriculturist. Sweetest water from a deepwell, and a great meal that used vegetables they grew without pesticides.

We will see more of Batangas :)

Region 1

Headed for the week, to Ilocos Sur and La Union.

If you want to meet up for questions, you may text us at (0917) 847-2639.

Water

If you are from the city and have a need for water for bathing, cooking, washing and car wash...you you may not be affected by the El Nino.

For us farmers, water means a lot. We need to water the farm to produce the food on your table. You don't even need water to cook vegetables as they can be eaten raw. But we need it to nurture them til harvest.

As we were fencing a new area, I realized how important water is. Or looking at it from another point of view...how important that our soil isn't super dry. The crew can't put up the posts w/o water. Hard to dig, can't mix cement, etc.

In an area where we thought we didn't need water yet...we did. Water is basic.

Some people think that they may range their Sunshines in wilderland. Sure you may, but make sure there is a source of water. A deepwell, a pond, a brook....

Old Slippers

Old habits are hard to break. Harder is parting with security blankets.

My old, cheap simple camera that was also my video camera, conked on me after 2 yrs of daily companionship.

Because of the demand in what we do now, we decided to get a good DSLR and a separate HD videocam. Argghhhhhh so hard to learn new things. Then, because I have to install new programs for these two new gadgets, I learned that my laptop's CD doesn't work. Buuhuhuuhuhuh....so my new pics will have to wait.

Meantime, stay patient for better pictures for this site. I owe it to you to feed your eyes.

Kabuhayang Swak na Swak

Do you watch the weekend shows of Kabuhayang Swak na Swak over ABS-CBN network?

They did a shoot on Doc Rey last Friday and they said it will be shown on Easter Sunday, April 4.

It is just really introducing the product as the segment is short. For people interested in business ideas, the show is worth catching :)

Move Now

Way before El Nino came, when it was already being talked about coming, we got ready for it. Installed pumps and wells throughout the farm.

At present, when everywhere is dry and brown....we are developing a new site. An additional 3hectares for the Sunshines.

Concrete posts, nets and poultry wires have been prepared for fencing. Seedlings of Aratiles, Madre de Agua and a myriad of herbs are in the nursery. A grader had been booked to make dams and canals all around and culverts had been installed.

Why do all these dams and canals when there is no water around? Why wait for some obvious problems to crop later. Now is the time to move, when it is dry. Easier for logistics to go all around the property. Elevate and secure for potential scenarios. Mobilize now when it is accessible all throughout.

When you are around ricefields during El Nino...easy to find workers when there is no work...so now is the time.

Land preparation, much like brooding...is the most important :)

Mobile Homes

I had taken down the number listed on the billboard for a mobile home I saw in Libis. Called today and realized I got one number missing for it to be a legit telephone number.

That's ok. Searched, got the number right and further search led me to this site of mobile homes.

The Manila office of Carryboy is now accepting orders. They come in motor homes or mobile homes. There are pros and cons in both. If you go by the motor home, you are bound to use that vehicle without rest. For the mobile home, you can change vehicles that pull and let your other vehicle rest. But..... you are in your own world and don't know what is happening inside the vehicle that hauls you :)

I am such a compulsive buyer. If I was in Manila this minute, maybe I ordered one today. Tomorrow, I may decide I don't want one.

For those who are on the road a lot and are very choosy about accomodations...this might be an answer. Comfort has a price. You need to feel good when you are working on the road a lot.

On The Road

If we are quiet, it means we are busy on the road. Yesterday we logged in 600kms, going to Pangasinan...Alaminos, Sual, Binmaley etc. Very productive, thank you.

I have on my "To Do" list, to go look for a mobile home :)

Tighter Reigns

When there is no rain, no harvest, no income, no food, no income, no disposable income, no income.....waaaaaaaaaaa

That is our group's advantage. Problems? We have gone and passed them several times in the past. You see them now and laugh it off as you know several ways to get around it, after going through them before. We are seasoned entrepreneurs, working independently and dependently. Our jobs are sole responsibilities and decisions are respected...but then, we know how important that everyone is knowing of problems and joys.

We haven't met as a group, in person, for the longest time as schedules are hard to fix when you are all busy with this and others. But we stood by we have to meet is we are one. Long distance affairs are hard to come by :)

Meet we did today, over Shakey's Friday Special! I don't think we have had that for about 30 years! My partners are old friends too, so we talked about our Shakey's times together. Talk was more of small talk and catching up rather than business....but I think it is because we trust that one will do the best of their abilities.

In a few minutes...it was gathered that we import next batch when other businesses are holding back. We implement new ways and experiment on some. I will let you in on the new ideas some time.

Hand holding will give you strength and pride...knowing that confidence is there. We stood up feeling good about the group and resolved that once a month meetings are set...fixed schedules.

Harder times are not reason to set back. It means unity, closer looks and tighter reigns.

Free Range In Nasugbu

We had been invited to market and supply Sunshine Chicken in SM Supermarket branches since last year. That was approved about October of last year, but logistics was wayward. Besides, growing chickens for the dressed market wasn't our line of business. Offering it to various growers was easier said than done as it will mean quality control and monitoring will require several crews.

Fate has it that SM Foundation contacts us again for their livelihood program. Several calls and a meeting set led us to schedule a seminar for their recipients.

WHAT: Raising Sunshine Chicken from day1 to Harvest
WHEN: March 27, Saturday, 9am
WHERE: SM Foundation Demo Farm, Sitio Pingkian, Barangay Looc (before the Hamilo gate)
Nasugbu, Batangas
WHO: Doc Rey

FREE as it is meant for SM Foundation, but they said it was OK for outsiders to attend.

Let's take this opportunity. See you there!

Links To One

Discussing the past week as a whole, then daily activities, led us to talk about certain clients and activities in particular.

We did yesterday a one on one seminar for a farm. The several visits there have been helpful in explaining things, as you use actual scenarios as examples for the DOs and DON'Ts. The seminar is patterned to fit the needs, plus showing the general picture. Even if they opt not to follow conventional poultry management, the caretakers will understand why some natural farming methods are applied and what works. IF there is a problem, their knowledge of conventional will help adjust the natural farming methods utilized.

Not just the poultry crew was asked to sit in. Even the construction guy was called to listen. As I walked around, you know that certain things apply depending on your line of work. The poultry guys were taking notes on space requirements, feedings etc. The construction guy had sketches and computations on the building samples and their own designs to amend. He also had notes on wind direction etc :) There was one more man who didn't take notes nor ask questions, but he was equally attentive. Maybe he was the one that mixes the feeds and drink concoctions, much like the marinade man in kitchens.

What was amusing was there was a crew who prepared lunch. After the buffet table was set, they also sat down to listen to Doc Rey. They were on the "common mistakes" portion. Doc Rey loves this part as he says it is easier to remember the DON'Ts and the sins hahahhaha. Going back to my cute food preparer......as Doc Rey showed pictures to quiz them, the first to answer was this food prep man who just took his seat.

If he wasn't around during the seminar, why was he able to reply? I will credit it to the fact that he is part of the day to day activities of the farm and sees the chickens a lot. PLUS, common sense and high IQ :)

My point here is simple but often forgotten in success stories. Teamplay is very important. One person can't do all. We have to find that team....wherein the members all love what they are doing and their personalities work together. Key factor is that they are team players.

Many times when a group is sent to us, I am able to observe certain characteristics and you know right away who passes the ball well.

Get The Heat Off In The Park

Started early and got to Tagaytay for breakfast. I love being there for Bag of Beans. I prefer the original site, and thankful that is is just a short detour from the route to Natividad Farms. Now full tummies...we have the energy to run after the chicks to be set to range.

The doctor talks to nervous caretakers. But they get relieved after the pep talk from Doc Rey and their eyes give them the confidence as they see how happy their Sunshines are at their debut, finding their own benches.

In these intense heat filled days, timing that they get to be free ranged today. They are 21days and at the right age to be set free. Am sure they loved their new house when they got transferred from their brooder house. Their caretakers were vigilant first time nurses and it can get strict and rigid, by the book there...

Look how they take a peek first.


"Walking and getting fresh air...let's do this daily"


They call out behind them, "Hey bros, it is much better and cooler out here. Come on down!"

We take a quarter turn to view them...and saw the next ranging area being prepared for their soon to arrive cousins.

Nice frame from here, but we had to rush to give the caretakers brooding lessons. After their 21day experience with natural farming protocol, it was now easier to teach them proper poultry management for free range chickens. Now the caretakers' eyes and ears open and comprehend why some things have to remain in management. Experience steps up to knowledge.

Were we in a hurry to do the seminar? Hahahhha...honest??? We wanted to get back to shed soon, as there is where lunch is served.

I did say the Sunshines enjoyed their walk in the park? Ed will want to take a hike with them.

Lipa Seminar - UPDATED

Doc Rey got an invitation to conduct a seminar for a group of retirees and senior citizens in Lipa, Batangas in April 28. Age isn't a reason to be idle, surely!

It will be open to all and free of charge. It will be held in a restaurant, so the organizers are requesting that you order some food during the seminar and leave a token for use of facilities.

Fair for fare :)

WHERE: Panyesenan Learning Center
Brgy Rizal, Lipa City
WHEN: April 28, 10am-2pm (seminar proper will be 10am-12noon)
WHAT: Raising Sunshine Chicken from Day1 to Harvest
WHO: Doc Rey
FEE: Meals will have to be purchased in the resort and please leave a token for use of premises

Open to all. See you there.

Graduation Day

As I am fixing schedules, planning for some graduations and calendared our harvest for next week...it called to mind that all those who loaded same day as us, about January8...should also be looking at harvesting next week or this weekend!

Perfect batch for the Graduation parties :) For the first time growers...you also sort of graduated in your experience in raising free range chickens.

For the long Holy Week break...you may welcome Easter Sunday with a feast.

It is all in the timing.

Make It Easy

We had planned way ahead and really think of ways to make life easier for all.

This post on clean water had drawn several queries in the last few days.

Timely that we got for ourselves, and we have some to spare for those who want to order too. Very easy to install. You make a hole through the PVC pipe and pry the connector in :)

Not a good shot....but it is simple and workable.

Foe or Friend

Snails are considered pests to rice farmers. They are collected and left on the road to be crushed by passing vehicles.

They will be good protein for your rangers! You can gather them and blanch them in boiling water in a drum, then step on them to crush the shells. Those shells will be good for your layers if you kept some. If your neighbors have their snails crushed on the streets, you may ask for it after they gather...or, blanch them after crushed.

I just think that it is easier to handle them whole when dunking them in boiling water :)

Sunshine Chicken 101

Basic Know-how From Day1 to Harvest.

Includes advantages, brooding, feeding, housing, ranging and business opportunities.

In DVD format, Doc Rey discusses an overview on raising Sunshine Chicken.

Available at all Solraya Enterprises and AANI branches (refer to link of dealer list for dayold chicks).

PHP350 for pick up at AANI and all Solraya outlets. We may send to you by LBC, all inclusive at PHP600.

For orders that have to be sent by LBC:

1) Pay PHP600 thru BPI: Solraya Enterprises, C/A 3535-8057-24
2) Advise us my email info@solraya.com or text (0917) 847-2639 about the deposit, include name and address for our LBC details
3) We send by LBC the next day. You receive it the day after we send.

Drying Up

The news on the radio and TV, well at least the news we get over regional channels, are scary and alarming. The water levels shown at Magat Dam yesterday was almost no where. You can see rocks on the sides already, when before what you see is just a huge basin of water. They say water to the lands for irrigation will be shut off March 20.

The line of priority is water supply for the pipelines, electricity and lastly, water to irrigate farmlands.

As we were discussing the plight of the farmers around us, over breakfast at the farm, it looks bleak. 99% around us are ricefields. A few have fish ponds. Both will be highly affected. We have a crew in the farm, fencing for us. They are assured of work for the coming days from us, but what about the others?

At the start of the news of the El Nino, which was months ago (so let's not pretend that we got caught on the heels), we had slowly installed deep wells, water pumps and drip hoses for the plants and of course our free ranging chickens.

Looking around the fields...you think "what will they do" in this trying times?

1) Plant vegetables to feed themselves and to sell to neighbors. Vegetables are easier to water as they are in plots or containers. You can fetch water to quench the thirst :)

2) Forced to good! Why did I say that? You are forced to dry up your fishponds and ricefields for several months. That will be your most natural way of disinfecting and time to rejuvenate the area.

Time to think out of your plots!

Don't Let The Heat Stop You

We are experiencing so hot weather! Our farm in Isabela is not getting a different wind from the neighbors'.

What makes our chickens still range around in this heat?

1) There is water, fresh water at that, all the time. We have installed more of those nipple drinkers (refer to a past post on this) that are attached to the PVC pipes.

2) Make sure that the ranging areas you are presently using have the shaded areas that they will need. You need them too as caretakers :) Our favorite areas now are the ones with a lot of Bamboo trees, Aratiles trees (the chickens love the falling fruits). Those make nice shades, and fast growers. They grow with the Sunshines.

You don't feel hungry when you have to eat under the intense heat of the Sun :(

3) Wet their grains to make it more appetizing for them in this high temperatures.

Don't be scared about the news of the Heat Strokes. Don't let problems make you watch and sit. There are ways to go about it. Remember, your chickens have a choice of where to stay.Thank you to free ranging chickens and natural farming.

And please don't forget your caretaker!!! We installed additional pumping wells and long hoses, so he won't have to walk far to fetch water. If it is convenient to do, then he will do it. Always try wearing caretaker's shoes.

If you ask about our Parent Stocks, the breeders...they are fine. Those are enjoying regulated temperatures.

Different Reasons

I got myself a set of the Cory Swatch. It came with a coffeetable book and two (2) watches.

What led me to get? I don't get quartz watches, but this one is obviously different :)

It had Sunshine!

Abrakadabra

Opportunities pop out and it is there for the take....or for it to slip by. Of course for the take!

Our calendars are always full, but when you spot an opportunity, you adjust and make way. It is like Spring cleaning...make way for new things.

Much like last Friday's impromptu radio interview...we got a request to do a seminar in a Northern Luzon province. When we said "YES", the next was, "can you also do for other provinces in Region 1?"....Sure :) After we hang up, I had to get my calendar to adjust schedules.

The schedules fell on a week where we were supposed to be on R&R with some agri friends. How to now? Abrakadabra!!!! Turn the Region 1 trip into a vacation :) Reats and Reminars ahahahah.

I will post schedules once I know details and IF we can invite you to join for free :)

Move Positively

Do you get the feeling for the past year, that all we hear and read on multimedia are all so negative? They are all talking about the glass half EMPTY!!!

Doc Rey and I were discussing that it scares people to move. Most people don't want to invest nor work. It is as if talking about it will ease up the situation.

The other morning, I was watching a segment on a morning TV program. It featured the Makati Fire Department, showing a fire drill. It also taught that we don't panic when there is an LPG leak that causes the tank to ignite a fire. You are just supposed to go behind the fire and close the valve of the tank....it won't explode. When the fire gets big and the tank is subjected to intense heat, that it the time it explodes. Many years back, I was also taught that when fire breaks in the premises of a gas station, just make sure that the doors of the underground tanks are closed. The fuel stored underground won't be affected.

Also, they taught how to operate a fire extinguisher. If I had to go on "Family Feud" and asked, "what is one thing you don't know will work until you need it?"...my reply will be "fire extinguisher". There was acronym that reminds you the steps...w/c I forget now ahahahha. But the important thing I learned was that you train the nozzle at the base of the fire and not to the flames.

Point here is YES, we have problems. But we should do something about it. Educate people to correct the situation. Train people to do other things instead of staying stuck to problems. Look elsewhere. Think out of the box.

Today was a good sign again. We had a longgggggggggggg schedule from dawn to midnight. At about 10am, as we were preparing to go for lunch meeting, Doc Rey gets a call from DZMM's Talakan if he may be interviewed over the phone. The production assistant (PA) went on to describe their program, introducing the hosts etc...I was busy and in a hurry. I asked WHEN. They said today. I asked WHERE, they said they can do a telephone patch. I asked if they wanted live, because it is sooooo different to get across when it is live and Q &As are with eye contact with the hosts.

They were so happy we can do live. Good that lunch was very near ABS-CBN.

You can't move if you are negative. You get stuck or even fall back.

Read about Talakan:

As its title suggests, Talakan (Talakayan at Kantiyawan) is a satirical yet optimistic way of discussing hard core news, public affairs, and showbiz gossips.

Anchors Ahwel Paz and Manny Castañeda do a rundown of the latest issues of the day and discuss it one by one. The tandem’s distinct comical way of presenting developing news is indeed a breather to listeners and viewers from all the negative news and issues they encounter daily.

With segments like “Trulaloo o Eklavoo” and “Trivia o Chorva”, Talakan educates and at the same time entertains a wide range of hooked followers--from jeepney drivers, office staff, housewives, online listeners, and even TFC subscribers worldwide. (Source: www.dzmm.com.ph)

Too Much

Anything in excess is bad :(

Aside from giving a healthy ground for your Sunshines, you rotate ranging areas for your land, and the plants.

I had this favorite Atis tree that I look forward to picking from and eating fresh fruits whenever in season. As we were examining post ranging areas, I was so sad to see it leafless, lifeless and standing sadly brown and wilted.

When we had Andry and Jojie Lim at the farm last month, I was telling Jojie about my favorite tree. Doc Rey said because it had too much manure in that area. Jojie called the caretaker and asked him to excavate around the tree, about 1meter in diameter. Aerate the area and overturn the soil around it.

One month after, this was how it looked! Thank you Jojie :)

Some layers still found their way to that former range. They must love the Atis that falls off whenever I am not around :)

What Comes To Mind First?

Cute?

Playing Hide and Seek?

Looking for insects to eat?

Trying to get away from the heat of the Sun?

Ruffled feathers: Sign of unhealthy chickens. They are not grooming themselves and just sit and be sad.

Much just like humans, you don't feel like fixing up when you are sad and sick. You will like to curl up in your jammies and stay away from the hustle and bustle of life.

We found this chick far from the group. And looks like he had been sick for quite sometime as his groupmates are all big and rowdy! That batch had been moved to the holding area for the harvestable batch and when the vacated ranging area was being tidied up to be able to rest...they found him :( He may have survived even if he wasn't part of the eating group, because he was able to subsist on grass, worms and insects.

Watch out for chicks or even ranging chickens that are sad and have ruffled feathers. They will need to be segregated and will need TLC.

Old Sacks

...for new reasons.

As we go around ranges that have to be rested and ones that are ready after being left to relax, you see come across material that have to be moved...not thrown, but used or sold.

We saw a stack of used sacks. We use them as wind breakers...but then this stack is way much for our needs.

We still need to fence a lot of areas and will buy a lot of screens to reinforce the lower portion (as discussed in a previous post). It dawned on us to use the old sacks for the lower portion of the fences.

Of course we know that time will shred it and turn it to rags. By then, the grass has grown on the lower portion of the fence and net. By then, the grass will be thick and the chickens don't force themselves in barriers.

Fertilized Naturally

We have a lot of trees all over the farm. Everytime we rest a range, that is when we are able to appreciate an area and walk all over, as there are no chicken fences to keep us off :(

It is then that we get to see the development of the trees in that area. Look at how robust and healthy they are!

Guess what fertilized them? The ranging Sunshines' droppings :)

My Dampa

Who hasn't been to Dampa? The strips of wetmarket, where you point to what you want and it is cooked for you.

Better for me...it is pointed while still in the plant, picked off fresh, and steamed for a few minutes. Even our drinking water! It is taken from the well and boiled. By the time we are done with breakfast, we are able to drink warm water to wash it down.

We went home to Isabela, amidst reports of calamity area because of the drought. True it is soooo hot here. But, because of natural farming and open housing and free ranging chickens...we are OK!

More so that we encourage everyone to grow your own food. You can do it in containers in your backyard, frontyard, rooftops or hang containers in walls. That way, whatever flood, power outages or whatever comes our way...you may atl east feed yourselves.

Go back to basics :)

Where There Is Smoke, There Is Heat

Talk about alternative heat for brooding, aside from brooding bulbs or the gas brooders...people are amazed and surprised when we say they can burn things inside a drum or tin can.

You can use rice hull which will give you carbonized rice hull after. Depending on what is abundant in your area, you may use coconut husks, coconut shells, wood that gives you charcoal later, or charcoal itself.

The point it to have a heat source that is available, convenient to use and economical :)

Most are scared about the chickens getting suffocated by the smoke.

Did you ever see smoke that blows down?

Keep Them Out

Over the years, we figured out that even in ranging areas are far and apart, separated by resting ranging areas, other chicken find themselves with other batches.

Rats! Yes, rats are the ones that make those small holes in nets. The chickens figure out their way to freedom through the holes that they are able to make bigger. When they want to go back, then get entangled in the nets and can't find their way. You have to lead them back.

Doc Rey thought that there has to be a way. The Rats can't win all the time :) (my Eastern sign is a Rat). So he tried on using a screen at the bottom.

By reinforcing the bottom, that prevents the Rats from destroying the net by making holes. Even if the Rats succeed in playing and making holes in the upper portion, the Sunshines can't reach that height and crossover to the other ranging areas.

We're All About Chickens

We got a booth here :)

WHAT: Philippine Poultry Show 2010, The Egg and Chicken Plus Game Fowl Show
WHEN: September 24-26
WHERE: SM Megatrade Halls 1 & 2

See you there :)

Borders

Interesting how Natividad Farms was able to utilize spaces, almost to the perimeter walls!

Notice how most farms form plots with slanting sides? Sides that are basically unused and space is wasted?

This farm had devised a good one. NO wasted space. It is sort of lego blocks that you just put together. In our everyday life, its like the fencing used for NLEX.

Prefabs that they themselves make. There are several molds, depending on utility. You put holes as needed, which are good for drainage :) They are held together by nail pegs or were they wires? Good about it too...it is movable and less laborious than making plots.

They have practically used these for everything. Vegetable plots, walk ways, etc.

And also for their vermiculture :)
You have to be imaginative and innovative to stay sustainable.

Worm Out Stress

When we visited the 2nd day old chicks in Natividad Farms, last Valentine's Day, we were shown that they were given worms already for food. In their natural habitat, mother hen really hunts for worms to give to her chicks. This was in supplement of the chopped bamboo leaves with brown rice that Jojie Lim prescribed to them.

Even then, you can see the Sunshines loved the worms, although they were two day energized then.

Five (5) days later, as we were commenting and observing the chicks eat and what they ate....Ed Fajardo said that we should hear their sound as worms are brought to them.

Watch and let me comment later :)

Geezzzzz....I wasn't prepared for this! As the Natividad boys came with their trays of worms...the Sunshines literally BUZZEDDDDD and jumped all around! You saw and heard it yourself.

They brought in 1kg at that time of worms. Retail value of about PHP1000 :) But remember, this farm went into Sunshines to get rid of their worms.

The hosts were so happy and proud about the chicks' behavior. Am sure you will be too...unless you are a veterinarian or a poultry man hahahahhaha

STRESS in capital letters! They really bump into one another. Maybe a new game of Bump Chicks will be developed after getting inspiration from this.

Doc Rey didn't tell them outright DON'T....he suggested that the chicks numbering 200, be given about 2kgs of chopped worms in the fermented feeds. If chopped, that way the chicks have no need to be excited with the wiggly, live protein. If chopped, they can be relaxed eating their high protein diet and Natividad Farm's vermi is rid of the over production.

Originally I titled this as Worm Bank...owing to the amount of worms in this farm. But, the stress it brought to the chicks was the point I wanted to bring out after reviewing the video.

Stressful matters may be turned out to good...if properly handled :)

Trio With A Purpose

Very rare that people who are busy and are all over the Philippines doing seminars and farm visits can get together. That is like Andry and Doc Rey. Their schedules are hard to fit them to be in one city.

Add to that a 3rd person, Ed Fajardo of Natividad Farms who is so passionate about what he does. These three (3) men can talk forever about their work and dreams. Guess who out talked in the group? :) You can tell by the mouths that were captured. Two were laughing...one was...doing the "A, E, I, O, U"s hahahahah

The hosts were very gracious to Andy and Jojie Lim, Sisters from SUSI Foundation and Doc Rey and I. Can't get enough of the fresh and clean salad greens.

Ed was excitedly showing off the ranging area. Hey, we were there just last Sunday, the 14th. The photo shown was dated the 18th. Last Sunday there was no grass, no plants, nada. They replanted and they have become established fast and growing rapidly. Thanks to the worms.

They are now preparing a new ranging area already as they forsee several batches. Natividad Farms is very happy with the way their Sunshines are doing, that the vegetable men are now chickeners. They have temporarily forgotten their lettuce. More like they are experts in that field already and new things interest us :)

Well...behind successful men are hardworking ladies. That is Jojie with the babies.


We stayed there for so long. Much like a family lingering in the hospital's nursery. Where was I? Taking the photos.

We are scheduling a new trip...this time in time for observing the ranging area with the new inhabitants.

You should go and visit Natividad Farms. It will reiterate the fact that you can dream, do and survive.

Eyes Teach

That isn't a grammatical error nor wrong spelling. But it does have a double meaning, come to think of it as I type now :)

What do we want to point out here?

1) Cages, which doubled as brooders, need no permanent walls. Nets were used to safeguard from predators. Nets are also easy to lift or to unfold as needed. It was convenient to free them Sunshines on the range.

2) The range has to be rested now and rotated as there was no grass anymore. That was taken about over a week ago and the flock was transferred to the waiting area for harvest. It is located towards the gate, where it is more convenient to harvest as far as logistics will be concerned.

They run to where the grass is..or whatever is left.

3) There is a fence. Not too high, about 6ft tall, and material used was a net. They have a short wing span and can't fly that height. They respect barriers :) They don't force themselves and break the division.

4) Oh no...that flock wasn't responsible for the "putak-putak" sound. That is from the layers that was ranged near by. It was laying time for them and they were noisily doing their thing.

5) Did you notice that the lower portion of the fence was darker? It was reinforced. Over the years, the common complaint is the chickens are able to escape because of holes in the lower portion. Most times, those holes are made my rats and the chickens find those small holes and work their way to freedom :)

Doc Rey decided to have the lower portion have cyclone wires and reinforced by plastic screens. The net will suffice for the top portion...of course for aesthetics and ease, you may have net from top to bottom.

Eye Level

Look at the grass as they way they see it :) Note how alert and excited they are....it is obvious in their eyes.

See how happy they are when the brooding cage is opened and they are let out free to range for the first time!

Look how they go through grits and pebbles. Don't worry. That is good for them. That gets into the gizzard and those grits are the ones that grind what they eat.

These preparations for an instructional video is making us more sensitive to the needs of the chickens and the neophyte farmer. Much just like this blog and the seminars we do, it is geared for the lay person who has to start from ABC. The video will be appreciated more. As we try to make it easier for you, we are observing the chickens more...thus we are learning other new things too.

Education never stops. We continue to learn from one another...and from the Sunshines. Observe.

Mother Hen

I saw this pic while surfing.

Did you notice that the feathers are standing and sort of spiked? She seems to be alarmed or furious! Maybe the photographer came too close :)

Mothers are naturally and generally very protective of their offsprings. In this case the chicks are well protected. The hen takes them under her wings to keep them warm and/or when the chicks need protection.

How do we keep them protected from predators in artificial brooding? Screens, nets, metal sheets etc to keep predators off their cages.

Natural Brooding

When Ed Fajardo of Natividad Farms showed us what he has printed on free range chicken, I saw that he has several pages from this blog :) and he had attached some pics he "googled images".

This pic is a nice one that shows natural brooding. Explains WHY we need the proper temperature when brooding. The chickens naturally have a slightly higher temperature than humans, and the chicks from day1 to day21 need the warmth while they are still developing their protective feathers.

Notice the space. They are not crowded and have their own areas :)

All over this website, we can't reiterate enough how important brooding is. Please take time to read and make copies.

Mother knows best. In artificial brooding, we learn as much from the mother hens and approximate it as closely.

Passion

When we got an inquiry for day old chicks from Natividad Farms, we were fully booked at that time. They made inquiries and studied other options. We were referred to them by Andry and Jojie Lim and because of the referral, I was under the impression that they have knowledge already on taking care of chicks. Finally we made bookings...the series of questions and phone calls that followed led to conclusion that the chicks will be handed to eager first time chickeners.

The day before we make the delivery, we learned that what they know was based on readings and no actual experience yet :( We were supposed to go visit with Andry and Jojie but that meant several days later....w/c might make it too late and we regret.

We lost no time and asked if we can go visit today, less than 24hrs after delivery of day old.

From the time they were monitoring us on the way, setting a meeting place for driver to meet us to guide us along the way, to the hats (to keep you comfortable as you walk around) that was handed to us the moment we came down from the van....

See that Sunflower???? I felt the good vibes....we knew this was a great New Year and Valentine's Day...to meet and spend time with passionate natural farmers!

The brooder was like walking into a hospital's nursery and into an incubator. You enter an ante room and you close the front door first so you lock out whatever...or so you lock in what is supposed to be inside :) Just like watching Flash Gordon when I was a kid...you get to digest the fusion of natural farming and conventional SOPs. All these are better seen and experienced, than read about.

A visit to the farm was really an awesome experience. Aside from the cleanest farm (you'd think you were in Singapore ahahahha) we have ever seen that is all Filipino, the delicious buffet that included the freshest salad just picked.

The owner, Ed Fajardo, was the most engaging host! After all that walk and kwentos, we were so starved....oh by the way, we didn't have breakfast yet when we drove there. We thought we can make a quick stop but traffic got us side tracked. We looked forward to devouring the buffet.

You know what stopped us???? Ed's story about his mother teaching them that when invited to a dinner table, you refuse thrice...3X!!!!!! Then you smile and accept invitation but get a small amount of food. He was telling us all these as I was gobbling my salad and getting two servings of my Buko Pandan! Geezzz...I could have ate a lot more.

Next time I go there...I have to repeat this to Ed. It will be an anecdote about Natividad Farms...named after the Fajardo matriarch.

You have to go there. We will bring our Sunshine growers to go visit....it is an eye opener for determination, ambition and passion. It does bring you somewhere.

Every space is utilized. You see a vegetable manufacturing processing line. No wasted area. No garbage as the banker in Ed makes everything work for him. Your trash is his need.

It all started with African Night Crawlers. Then he had to find how to get rid of the fast reproduction. How? Get Sunshine :)

Go look for the brand of Natividad Farms in naturally raised products. Now vegetables. I assure you, the most loved, cleanest and sweetest vegetables. The farm is run efficiently. Who said a farm has to be thought as backyard endeavor?

Soon, naturally raised Natividad chickens :)

Relations That Work

Means that we collaborate, we work individually, and work with one another....and we are all hard workers :)

It is rare that we get to sit down with friends and still do our jobs. The trade shows offer that kind of opportunity. Most times we are all miles apart, but the shows centralize us.

Doc Rey enjoys day2 of INAHGEN 2010 with Rene Almeda of Alaminos Goat Farm and Mr. Zac Sarian of Manila Bulletin :)

Can you guess what's next?

1st Day, INAHGEN 2010

Unbelievable 1st day! Normally, 1st days are the slowest. The exhibitors have time to go around as their chance, being quiet time from ribbon cutting till about 2pm. Not yesterday! It was so jumpy....but productive. That is what I like about INAHGEN, it is a focused trade show. They don't sell booth space just for the heck of sales :)

You have today and tomorrow to check it out. We are at booth #106, Solraya's Sunshine Chicken.

INAHGEN also gave us a seminar slot. Full packed :)

For those who missed the seminar, don't feel bad. We are still able to do a more extensive seminar when there are no constraints on time. Check our seminar schedules that we keep updated.

Incidentally, another thing I love about doing shows: We get to meet our blog readers :)

Mag-Agri Tayo

We shot some episodes for Mag-Agri Tayo last month.

Today we get a call that it will be shown in three (3) successive episodes of Mag-Agri Tayo. It is shown over NBN Channel 4, every Saturday, 9-10am.

Watch us starting Feb 6. Then 13th and 20th, for segments on free range chicken.

AANI Hour

Today is the intro for AANI Hour over GNN Destiny Cable. It will be aired every Thursday, 10-11am.

For the intro, they will have the President and Vice President, Mr. Zac Sarian and Eng. Pol Rubia respectively, of AANI.

Surely, it will be guesting people in the know in agriculture in the next weeks.

Colored Range Broilers Plus

We are adding a new line to our Sunshine colored range broilers, dayold chicks.

In April, aside from our existing line, we are introducing a whitish chicken with red and blue markings. We didn't phase out any strain we were carrying, as they had proven well.

Why did we add the white, red and blue? Add that our company colors and Sunshine yellow....you get the colors of our flag! That idea came after the order was made :) We discussed with SASSO for product development and new strain to introduce that will match the Philippine needs. They suggested this basing on performance and the penchant of Filipino eyes' for color.

Aside from the new broiler strain, don't forget our Starshine too...to be launched in April.

IFEX 2010

Booked for IFEX 2010 :)

This is the 3rd year we are joining IFEX. Looking forward to joining this event organized by CITEM. They are very supportive and it inspires entrepreneurs to do better.

See you at World Trade Center, May 6-8. As usual, our regular growers are most welcome to come market with us.

New All

February is Chinese New Year, Valentine's, Ash Wednesday, People Power Day...that's what my calendar said.

Today, we spent the first hours in Fairvew. Bidding the location and structure that was our base for so many years. No, we are not losing it because we had to close shop nor our business. We just had to make a business move that will make us stronger and make us enjoy our passion more.

We have way to lease out our location to Jollibee :) :(... The rest of the property will be taken over by a supermarket chain. The lease proceeds is understandable to simple minds, that it will make our passion with Sunshine Chicken, doable and not just profit oriented.

Organika, our meat shop will remain at the Regalado side. Right across Regalado gate of SM Fairview, we will also continue to hold our monthly 4th Sunday seminars there.

This afternoon, we went to our proposed new location. A property at the Araneta Center. 8th Ave, very near P. Tuazon. Very close to the provincial bus stations. Accessible by the two lines of trains. We are really happy with this new location.

Building soon...so we can serve you there better :)

Again, the move is for the better....we didn't close to remain as such...closed one and will open better :)

Tomorrow, we got o SMX Convention Center to prepare for INAHGEN 2010....see you there!

Laughter

It is different when shared with friends....and you really have a good, loud, laughs about an incident that you all find funny. It may be a silly thing, but it is funny when woven with other experiences as a group.

When not in a gelled group...your smiles or sneers are exaggerated to assimilate laughter ahahahhah.

We have in our company Andry and Jojie Lim :) Doc Rey was tasked yesterday to introduce Andry as main speaker. Geez.....Doc Rey went on and on...I guess that is how it is when introducing a friend as you know a lot about the person! He went beyond that...he started talking about IMO, FPJ etc. Maybe the audience didn't notice it, but Doc Rey may have forgotten that he wasn't the speaker but just the introducer.

Much later in the day, after the seminar, the moment we got inside the car.....we all had to have our boisterous laughs about that incident.

We proceeded to our farm and since it is their first time to come to Santiago, it was again another healthy exchange of info and insights. Both Andry and Doc Rey are brooding batches now and they were comparing growths since they are adapting different brooding styles.

Doc Rey is based on scientific poultry management for free range...while Andry uses the Korean technology.

Three full days with friends...tomorrow we all travel back to Manila. Long trips are enjoyable when laughs are shared.

With people you are comfortable with, you are not ashamed to ask seemingly dumb questions. The Northern Luzon and Mindanao offer different foods and sceneries. What one takes for granted, awes the other.

They can't over the fact that on the road to Isabela, they met unending number of trailer trucks, hauling rice to go to Manila.Andry and Jojie are so captured by the vastness of the rice fields all around....as far as your eyes can see :) Over dinner, when we brought them to Generao's Bangus Grill that serves Sunshine in their menu...they never had Sinampalukang Manok, chicken in soup soured by Tamarind. I suggested to them to try to use Batuan to sour their soup. It is abundant in the Visayas.

A Woman Dressed In Sunshine

Been feeling sick and today being a number coding day for me, I thought I will relax till lunch before we make a trip to Santiago City.

I get a text at about 9am from the US, to get them a Cory Swatch....what was that again? I don't remember ever owning a Swatch. I love watches, but the automatic or mechanical windings for me please. I searched the internet and saw that you have to reserve blah blah. Today's outing for the watches had been fully booked already...weheheheh sounds like Sunshine Chicks :)

The title of the book that goes with the Cory Aquino Swatch.... "A Woman Dressed In Sunshine".

It was enough reason for me to get a set for myself. Pick up Feb 08.

Fast Food

Since we started moving out of Fairview, hardly had I been there. Had to go there briefly yesterday and the few seconds I was out of the van to get to the office was disastrous. When you are like some of us...the ones that get allergy at the sight of dust...then you know how it feels to breathe even a speck of those killer fumes.

I felt so bad that it kept me off a scheduled appointment last night. I needed hot soup and thought about just buying from a chinese restaurant...but then...I thought about all those additives.

Roasted chicken packs in my freezer...hmmm...it was 7pm but I have to feed this nasty nose of mine. Did I have enough time?

Took out a pack from the freezer. Set it inside my glass saucepan....I am without help so my cookware is the one the goes from stovetop, oven, to table, to ref/freezer, to microwave and back to table. You end up just washing one piece :)

Got about 4 cups of hot water from the dispenser into the saucepan with the frozen roasted chicken. Sliced up one red onion. That's it, and boiled it. Once boiling, I took a handful of elbow macaroni and placed it in the pan. Cooked uncovered for about 8-10mins (followed instructions on the label). Added chopped onion leaves for color. That't it!!!!

Why no seasonings? The frozen pack was of a roasted chicken. So it had all the flavors it needed already.

If you don't want to eat the meat with your soup, it will make great chicken sandwhich or salad.

This was quick and doable. But, if I had my way and time...I would have done this on simmering temperature. Still low fire, slow cooking....to really have the juice ooze out in its own sweet time.

BTW...yes, I felt much better....remember Chicken Soup for everything. Chickens must have something...and the warm vapor is good for the nasal congestion.

Next Batch Of Info Ads

We are now preparing a new batch of information ads.

Basing from your frequently asked questions, we will come out with a series that will help everyone.

Thank you for the support :)

Natural Farming In Santiago

Region 2 will be lucky for the opportunity to have Andry and Jojie Lim, advocates of the Korean technology of natural farming.

WHAT: Seminar of Natural Farming (rice, vegetables, pigs and chickens)
WHEN: Jan 26 and 27, 8am-5pm, two (2) day seminar
WHERE: Northeastern College, Santiago City, Isabela
WHO: Andry Lim
FEE: PHP500 for two (2) days

I have sat in several seminars of Andry and he is most entertaining and educating. Very charismatic speaker and thinks from a layman's point of view as he is not an agriculturist too by education :)

In their farm in Davao, Andry and Jojie raises Sunshine Chicken on a regular basis, supplying family, friends and a NCCC Mall's supermarket. Aside from the chickens, they supply vegetables and pork.

Farm visits in Santiago City are being scheduled too in relation to the seminar.

Very good value for you to join. See you there.

Road Tours

Preparing our road tour schedules. January and February are for seminars and trade shows.

We kick off our trip in March with extensive visits to our homebase and bailiwick...Northern Luzon, Cagayan Valley :) We will be with some of our agri friends and journalists who want to take that route with us and experience the agriculture movements in this place.

Have you seen the ritual of Pinikpikan? It is slowly beating the chicken to death. Blood clotted, it is slow cooked with some aged pork. I have eaten Pinikpikan several times, but haven't seen the ritual too. It will be interesting. Some may scream animal rights and abuse....but then, this is part of the culture of the Cordillera Region and is accepted as part of the heritage.

Cordillera folks had been very discriminating in what they use for their ritual of Pinikpikan. Sunshine Chicken passed it for its raising qualities and taste imparted :)

So we go Isabela onwards.....

Learn AANI In Antipolo

AANI Urban Farm in Antipolo will host a seminar on Raising Sunshine Chicken.

WHAT: Raising Sunshine Chicken , from day1 to harvest
WHEN: Feb 13, 2010, Saturday, 2-5pm
WHERE: AANI Urban Farm
WHO: Doc Rey
FEE: PHP500

Please contact AANI for reservations, at (02) 497-2755 or text us at (0917) 847-2639.

Nice place for you to go visit as it is a working urban farm. Pesticide and chemical free, you get the freshest and sweetest vegetables and fruits from farm to your table.

AANI Urban Farm is located very near the Masinag Market at the junction of Sumulong Hway and Marcos Hway. From Marikina, you turn right to Sumulong from Marcos Hway. You will see a Shell station on your left and the subdivision across that is where you enter. I think the subdivision is named Kingsville.

INAHGEN Seminar

The organizers of INAHGEN 2010 have allotted Doc Rey for a talk on Feb 3, at 5:30pm, Seminar Room #4.

Nevertheless, we will be fixing the booth in such a way that we will be able to accommodate multi inquiries so we may have one on one talks.

Agree To Agri

Mag-Agri Tayo!

That is the name of the program over NBN, that shot Doc Rey yesterday for a series of segments on free range chicken. Much like a seminar on air.

They said it will be shown sometime mid February. Will post details here :)

HAMsarap!

Don't forget the tasting of our HAManok. The one packed for me by APDC was meant to be shared with our DWWW's Kaunlaran sa Agrikultura.

Why did I want with them? Perfect crowd. Mixed ages. Mixed cultural and marketing targets. Most were men. They are all agriculture people who are so used in being served such and these. One is even into meat processing/production.

Ham is such a basic thing, it is everyday food...but you tend to hate seeing it after Christmas is it is a staple those days. So I chose to have it taste tested a week after New Year :)

We didn't coat it in sugar . In three (3) separate platters, the 2kg ham held its own. Even when pale compared to commercial hotdogs etc on the table, it sat quietly and regally there. I grabbed one as soon as I can so I can taste first, how this ham was. OMG...ang sarap, honest super. Everyone said it was so good. I believe this group because we are constructive with one another. They enjoyed it more knowing it was preservative free.

It will do good for sandwhich, salad, eaten solo....very pinoy, we had it with rice. Wiped out...ham..after Christmas?

Have added ther HAManok to the production schedule.

2nd Round

of taste testing :)

The 1st round had 2 age groups. My age and the older and experienced ones. The older ones liked the garlicky Vigan type and the spicey Italian and the sweetish skinless. My age group wanted the spicey Italian, found the Vigan and herby type bland, but they want that developed as the interesting taste is there, but you know...masarap but may kulang? Doc Rey liked the skinless and the patties...same as the APDC taste panel.

I think it was the mass pinoy taste buds. They didn't like the herby type. But then, I am targetting a niche market. The ones that have higher notch in taste buds and want to eat healthy.

2nd round was last Friday...my age group again but diverse as we invited two (2) discriminating men hahahhahaha. One was involved in a company for layers and pig production.

I brought out the 1st batch of herby that APDC and Doc Rey didn't really want as the herbs were strong on their taste. THIS IS IT my friends now say, strong taste not bland. I knew it, that was why I kept the unwanted batch as it suited me. The Adobo was really appreciated too. The Blue Eagle men liked all, and discussion was focused on the health benefits, since one of them is all too knowing of how commercial animals are raised :(

No help. I prepared it myself. Brought out my electric grill and just set it to cook a few minutes before they arrived. Thank you for cellphones. Having guests is less stressful as you are prepared at the right time. Wine flutes, several chilled Reds, cheeses

Thank you to my friends who washed up after. I don't get jumpy when they come over.

Now we are preparing to go into production of our Sunshine Sausages.

Extensive & Entertaining

Yet...thinks like a dummy :)

Not too long ago, I got a call from someone who does contract growing for commercial white broilers, for a large food company.

He said his interest has been picked when he saw the colored chicks in the last Agrilink 2009. He asked, researched and read around.

"Of all the pages and websites about free range chickens, yours is the most extensive and entertaining to read...there is humor" I have to take a bow in gratitude :)

I added that... "I also hope that the point of view of a layman who doesn't know anything in poultry management is obvious. Like learning from the eyes of a dummy". He said YES...pretty obvious since he knows poultry...but the layman's point of view makes things easier to understand and to believe. It doesn't have hifaluting terms and description that makes it hard to comprehend nor believe as a doable project .

And yes, I talk about the ups and downs. Just like my favorite Christmas series that just ended... there were no right nor wrong characters. Their character development even when bad, stemmed from something real and credible. And the bidas and goodmen, were not all good and perfect....everyone and everything was portrayed as real. No perfect 10s, nor flunking 1s here. Remember Kramer vs Kramer...same. No one among the divorcing couple was right nor wrong.

Geezzzzz.....am getting so engrossed in my characters!

I am thankful for people finding us real educating...and gives them smiles too. I am a frustrated script writer, really! It is people like you who motivate me to learn more to be able to write about my passion.

Be Proactive

Enjoying a walk through the new ranging areas being developed, to exercise. Boots on...as I just almost sprained an ankle walking through an empty lot with a lot of vines...in Metro Manila!

Check now on the next brooding house for next week's loading. Same mistake about the rat proofing, so that has to be redone.

Nice edible borders in this ranging area. I can taste the sweet juices of pesticide free veggies :)

I am always harassed by caretaker's wife on how to protect her vegetable plots from the rangers...enclose them in net. I think she doesn't want to believe me. Last week we sent to the bodega some used poultry wire. She decided for herself that this is what will work for her! See how she used Ipil-ipil for posts. Hope it grows too, so it may act as shade in the new ranging areas.

True and honest. The nets will work...old ones are useful as well. Chickens are not like goats, pigs nor cattle. They won't force themselves through barriers, come what may. Chickens are easy to deal with. Once they hit walls, even if flimsy, they turn elsewhere :)

Why do you think we recommend nets as range separators or fencing?

Don't Take For Granted

You always have to check caretakers, even after you have tried to teach them (granting that you know what you are doing too). We made a quick trip today to check on brooding this week in a new developed area. New caretaker too, so Doc Rey wanted to see how he followed...

Can you spot the mistakes from here?



Ok good. He has his hammock there. Radio playing...I forgot to tell him to tset it to the radio station where we broadcast our info ads in Isabela...that should be his audio bibles :) I take the radio was for him, and not for the chicks.

Maybe now at closer view, you can?

Maybe you can't tell too? Common sense in brooding is not really common sense to a non knowing like me also.

Since I have some knowledge already after all the seminars, farm visits, and listening to Doc Rey...this is what I can tell:

1) Infrared bulbs were sent to be used. What was sent was 150w each and I sent six (6) pcs. We were brooding five hundred (500). He just used four (4) all in one side and had incandescent bulbs on the other side. I heard Doc Rey asking him (his way of teaching the how and the why) if the chicks last night were bunched under the red bulbs and not merrily walking around.

2) The rat protection is better when there are no corners where there may be a tendency to group and they can get crushed. Doc Rey reminded him that he was told to make that in an Oval shape. Ideally round, but it will be difficult to go around the pen with a big circle in the middle.

3) There were no standby heaters. There were drums outside and the ricehull were ready in sacks too. He should have had them ready and staged on pedestal hollowblocks (w/c were sitting quite far so it will be difficult to put together incase of a power outage in the middle of the night).

Aside from the above, these I heard from Doc Rey:

1) Set the basin feeders near the heater bulbs. If it is cold, they will want to stay near the bulbs and of the food is far, they won't go to eat.

2) Set the drinkers horizontally instead of vertically. Again, set it under the bulbs. Same concept. Make food and water accessible to them even when the temperature is low.

As I was studying picture now as I used it for the topic....it dawned on me that it will be better it the grouping was divided into two (2) or three (3) of those iron sheets. That was, the caretaker goes around the groups, changed the water and cleans out basins with out stepping on beddings. Maybe that was the reason caretaker opted to set the waterers and basins near the edge...so he can easily reach out.

Oh well.....we will be back later at the farm to eat freshly picked veggies. I will discuss that with Doc Rey :)

Join Us In Facebook

Since you may be busy in your own FB accounts, you may want to take a break and join us there.

Sunshine Chicken has a page :)....no, its not part of FarmVille.

Seminar Series

A weekly TV program had tapped Doc Rey to do a series of segments on free range chickens.

It will be like a seminar as it will give him more time to expound on topics, rather just a run through interview.

We tape it all in one (1) day, but the segments will be broken up to screening several weeks.

Thank you to a near by backyard grower. He allowed us to shoot in his farm.

Sunshine Surprise

I was just on the phone today w/ the schedules for our sausages, when I decided to surf and read online newspapers.

SURPRISE! I was motivated to act more :)

FarmVille On Real

For those with Facebook accounts, am sure you know what Farmville is. Everyone is at it...ok...almost everyone.

For us FBers who are real farmers, we watch with awe. If the zeal and passion you guys have in planting, harvesting and helping your cyber neighbors are translated into the real world...WOW, we will not be hungry and we will not need the imports.

Agriculture is what we should fall back on. Food is basic. No, we are not saying that we should ALL go into farming....we need a balance. But as of now, agriculture is looked down on and that maybe the reason that a lot of people may have the passion for it, but are discouraged by society. Tsk tsk tsk

When tending to Sunshines, we get a lot of feedback that it brings bonding to family members.

Hahahhahahha...same with Farmville. I know of some couples who are hardly on speaking terms, moreso not on one another's Facebook account as friends. But because of Farmville, the need to have neighbors to stay up on the game...they included one another and now help each other tend their plots.

It even made me peep at Farmville for the first time today. Cute, colorful, enticing....I didn't want to start on this now. I have heard how some people do wake up at dawn to harvest their crops in cyberland. I have a real farm that keeps us busy! Take the trip with us :)

As my FB status earlier said " Go eat Healthy! Grow your own food...or buy from us :)"

Thank You For Day1

They say that the first day is a snapshot of what is to come...then I will love 2010!

1) Got a call from a TV program's production staff. They want to interview us and if we can go to a grower to shoot farm.

2) Orders for dayold chicks poured in.

3) Someone was interested to carry our Sunshine Sausages :)

4) Food chain reminded us to start delivery.

There are kinks:
5) A group trying to con my staff into paying for shipments that arrived during the holidays. They tried to collect customs tax payments and brokerage fees. They stopped when they were asked to call moi :)

6) We closed several deals :)

7) A writer called to interview by phone re: Sunshine Sausages!

Now, we have to chicken up logistics to foresee coming days.

All our work for marketing will benefit our growers. And you. wink wink...read on.

Inahgen Is Coming

Almost a year ago, we booked our space for INAHGEN 2010 here.

Today we get the email for exhibitors' meeting. I have forgotten about the Feb 3-5 show at SMX....but welcomed the announcement. I had been happy with the way the previous INAHGENs went and looking forward to joining this trade show again.

Our growers are welcome to join us in the booths and market their products.

See you: INAHGEN 2010, booth #106 (near boar auction), SMX Convention Center, Feb 3-5.