Going to Alaminos

Doc Rey will do a seminar in Alaminos, Pangasinan on August 8, 1pm.  Cityhall.  

Join us if you are interested to learn about pasturing chickens....it is FREE :)

Intro To White Pastured Chickens: Video

Why did we go from colored to white?  Here we are introducing you to white pastured chickens.

In partnership with Mag-Agri Tayo, we will do a series of instructional videos to guide you in pasturing chickens and natural farming.

Sunshine Chicken is our branding.  Any chicken we produce from our farm is called Sunshine Chicken.  It connotes clean and healthy chicken meat on your tables :)

Azolla Videos

These were from the Mag-Agri Tayo episode of January 29.  Join us for more scheduled instructional over NBN Channel 4, every Saturday, 9am.

After These, What Is Next?

Agri Plain Talk, Manila Bulletin, December 11 2010

Agri Plain Talk, Manila Bulletin, Jan 08 2011

Agriculture Magazine, Jan 2011, Page7

Panorama, Jan 02 2011, Page 20 and 21

In December 25 2010, Mag Agri Tayo, shown every Saturday at 9am over Channel 4 had featured the white pastured chickens too.  We are now partnering with them in given a school on the air and will be showing in several episodes our farming practices.  In early 2010 they did a 2part feature on us already, but they are now interested in the whites and the natural farming.  Watch out for the January 29 2011 episode.

Can you guess what the next stories of Mr. Zac Sarian will be focusing on? 

Juan Batch

Remember the photos posted earlier, on the batch that was in the brooder during Typhoon Juan? The day after Juan, they were let to the open. A week after at 21days, they were transferred to the range housing.

Meet them now, at 28days. Most of them are out in the range and pasturing themselves:)

Might be your first time to see white chickens in clean, comfortable and airy cages?

Brooding For A Storm

We all had a lot of warnings.  There was a lot of time to prepare way before the expected landfall of Megi, Typhoon Juan in the Philippines.

For pastured chicken farmers like you and I, what can we do?  Moreso when you have a batch brooding.

For now, we are brooding in the same range housing.  They were in shaded areas, but no good fencing around.  Doc Rey wanted an area that will have windbreakers, near the caretaker's house, accessible to water.  So he assessed what we had that may work for us:

1) In the garage, he saw unusued aluminum vans and the dismantled truck bed enclosures.  He asked that be brought to the spot he saw that had trees that will be good windbreakers.  Close to the house of the caretaker and the water pump.

2) Not just sitting them on the ground, he sort of had it buried a bit.  Dug canal around the cages and area, for drainage.

3) Found old roofing materials that was wrapped all around.  Why?  Don't forget the RATS!  They will surely want dry ground for themselves too :)  They can't climb the slippery surface.  

But can the chicks have good air circulation inside that cage?  There was a reason why they were retired to the garage.  These pieces of roofing material had holes on them already. Perfect for air inlets.  The wire mesh all around the cage was guarantee enough that fresh air circulates and bad air escapes.

Others were set on top as roofs. They were tied to the cages.

4) Trucks' tarpaulins were set on top of the roof.  Remember those yeros were butas already :)  Roofweights were needed.  Got old tires and the stacked chicken crates that were near the water pump for washing.

It was very good!  Did what it was supposed to do, as planned, from materials that were to be found around you.

The trees all around fell and didn't withstand the strong winds of Juan, but it did to the cage its purpose.  It protected the brooder from the rage of the typhoon.  The brooding Sunshines were very healthy and energetic when the cage was opened after the storm!

We had several of the cages set up.  You don't want them to pile up one on top of the other when they get afraid and cold.  Stampedes are less likely in smaller spaces.

Let's take a closer look inside.  Aside from the gas brooder that was good for 1000 birds, there was another standby brooder for the same capacity.  If you will notice, this area isn't for 1000 birds, so why have big capacity brooders being used?  You have to make sure they are warm.  It will be terribly cold out there during the storm and no such thing as over prepared. 

From the other side and behind:  The fallen tree was acting as shade before the storm came, as it was prepared a couple of days prior.  The large LPG tank, the source of energy for the gas brooder.....heavy stuff, can't be blown away.  Doc Rey still played safe.  He had charcoal heaters on standby.

We've learned over the years.  I hope you have taken some points from us too to guide you through.

Creatures Of Habit

After we opened the cage for the 14days to start ranging, we passed by this 49days range area.  

This batch is the one that holds my spot for my favorite Aratiles tree.  "My Spot" had fallen too from the ravage of Juan, together with almost 99% of our fruit trees.  As they went out to hunt for food today after the storm had left, in groups, they find their regular joints.

This group obviously loves Aratiles too.  They were just attracted and concentrated on the fruits they have enjoyed on the ground daily.  They must have not noticed that the source of those fruits are no longer standing there.  Nor that the Mango tree that used to give them shade while they scout for their fruits, are now at their eye level.

That was the side story....

I was trying to point out that they are willing and able to to take care of themselves!

Contented Chickens

Have you ever seen your chickens this way?  You have always pictured your chickens in cramped cages and dirty looking with sad faces :(

Here now:

Morning sun...cool shade....all the food you want, buffet style....fruits galore....lounging chair (yes, it is an instinct for all chickens to perch, so pity the caged ones)....fish pond around...

We are almost describing ourselves on the beach!

Its not about colored or white. It is all about being caged or pastured :)....End result: Healthy and Tasty!

Happy To Meat Me

Have you heard the story of the Poor Chickens?  Doc Rey always preempts his seminar proper with that anecdote, to give a background, stress a point and to make you understand why pastured chickens are happy.  

For pastured chickens, there is no cannibalism, no dirty nor tight cages.  Chickens enjoy the sun, sand bathing and space. They look very proud.

Happy chickens are more tasty and easily digestible :)  Maybe not because they were happy, but because they are healthy for us!

Watch out for further posts on how we can keep costs down and be able to give you safer chickens.

White Christmas

At four (4) weeks now, they will be seeing you in December :)

The recently held Poultry Show was very motivating.  People embraced the idea of "yes, the whites can be pastured".  Low cost, easy to find, safe chicken for all!

For us at Solraya, it isn't just an "idea" anymore.  It had been ran and tested several batches.  Harvested and taste tested at different intervals.  For our pastured chickens, we still go with a slow developing chicken.  Let it age and naturally farmed....it will give you great tasting and healthy chickens :)

We will be happy to explain them to you during AGRILINK 2010.

Debutantes Stepping Out

We had several batches on trial runs for the white broilers for free ranging already, done, observed, harvested and eaten :) Starting with 100, 200 and 300 at a time. I was never around to see them step out for the first time as work took me most of time away from the farm.

We had all been blinded about the whites not being able to survive on the open range, but in our pursuit to give the farmers cheaper and safer food alternatives, there must be a way to have cheaper and more accessible free ranging chicks :) Thus the study on the whites. These chicks are readily available in most areas and pricing range dips to a level that will be very attractive to farmers.

Doc Rey here observing them while inside the brooder. He was ready to let them out now at 18days, just instructing for a manual count and weighing in before set out to range. 14days is what he practices now for brooding time. That will be a separate topic on the observations on brooding the whites for free range.

Average weights taken and head count done....the side doors were opened. See how happy they are? Doc Rey and I were discussing that you never see the industrial white chickens this way in their cramped coops. We thought that all they knew was eat, sleep and fight. Well I guess it is really on the environment. See how happy chickens are chickens naturally? Irregardless of their color :) Same characteristics when out on open areas.

Rats are the biggest problems, so Doc Rey instructs that a side of the metal walling of the brooder be lifted. That way, it will be easier for them to be herded back to safety after they go home at night. This is done as precaution because they are let out open at 14days.

Early evenings, once grouped inside, the metal sheet walling may be slid back to position so they will be safe from the Rats.

Fill Her Up

How do I use an auto feeder?

See the opening on top? That is where you put the feeds.

There are several sizes. The smallest auto feeder can accommodate 5kgs. The advantage of using auto feeders is that the Sunshines don't get to scratch , play nor poo in their feeds :) Plus the most convenience of care taking in absentia...they are guaranteed to have feeds even if you are not around.

For now, we do the auto feeders inside the pens, and on the range. On the range, they have the choice to go to forage or grains. More often than not, they want to forage. Look at the photo above, they prefer to go outside :)

Urban Food

Another topic on the nipple drinker....hahahhaha.....but then it is really practical and thinking out of the box may not be enough. So many usage and ways to use it.

We are spending a lot more time in our urban setting and wanted to have some free ranging Sunshines in our midst. Doc Rey started with seven chicks in May and targeted to harvest it in August. Having fun brooding and planning for urban set up. This is when you get assured that when given common sense care....they survive even when left for several days during brooding. Don't ape that. Only a vet's gut feel and experience can pulloff brooding in absentia!

Before we knew it, they were big already and ready to range :) We get so excited as we get to see them only on weekends in Manila.

We thought that if the farm used nipple drinkers...then why not in the city? Very logical when no caretaker. In smaller setting, you need a smaller water receptacle too. Doc Rey was figuring out how to insert the PVC pipe at the back. I said why not remove the faucet and insert thru that hole.....two heads are better than one!

The water container was set on a hollowblock. It was the right height for now. As they grow, you adjust the height of the pedestal.

Yes, Doc Rey also has an auto feeder for them now. My fruits and vegetables are shared with the Seven Sunshines!

My neighbor saw it and thought about raising some and encouraging the community. I really hope so....Yes, people can take care of their own for food. Start with how many chickens you can consume in a month.

Auto Feeders

When you are growing, sometimes it is not best to add manpower. I believe in a few good men :) Rather than add labor, decrease work load.

Such was the case in the farm. Recently we need to develop a new area for ranging, at the same time the load of grow out Sunshines in the farm increased to almost triple because of demand. As per previous posts, you have read by now what steps we took in making life easier for the farm helpers.

Why auto feeders? Initially, it was to make feeding easy. You just fill up the auto feeders and that will take care of the adlibitum needs of the chicks. More often, they still want to play outside in their range. Note that most are outside?

What additional benefits?

1) The chicks were not stepping nor scratching on their feeds. No wastage. The auto feeders are hanging and the chicks can't reach the feeds to play and waste.

2) See the beddings of the housing? Clean, because no feeds gone astray.

PS: For the nipple drinkers' advantages:

1) No cleaning for waterers. Boy, that takes a lot of time and effort!

2) So convenient to just open the faucet. Our water is from our own deep wells.

3) No wet floors too, as no waterers are upturned.

Add to that the ease in rearing free range colored broilers! Am not saying that all you have to do is sit to watch the Sunshine Chicks. You have to give it a lot of TLC for it to be robust and ready to face the open range in 21days.

Let's Play

The cages are opened up early in the morning for the chicks to catch the coolness of the previous night, with the dew drops everywhere, before the heat of the day dries them up.

We try to catch that time too, as it is a joy to see the different ranges liven up with the chicks like preschool children during recess time. There is one range that was quiet... shouldn't be as it was a large area and had a lot of trees where they can play around and scout for insects.

Closer look...and see they were all playing and burying themselves in the mounds of ricehull! Looks like their beddings are scheduled to be turned and changed. They decided to smell the sheets first :) They have the same color and you don't see them from afar.

That is not just playground for them...there is food almost everywhere. One functions best in their natural habitats and ways.

Incidentally, we are based in Santiago City, Isabela.

Amanpulo & Manamoc

One of the most well known and highly rated restaurants in Tagaytay, get their dressed Sunshine Chickens from us, to augment the kitchen needs when they run out. Actually, they get day old chicks from us to grow in their own farm.

About 3 weeks ago, I get a call from our Tagaytay restaurant client, that we got referred to the Aman group, whose one property here was the Amanpulo Resort in Palawan. Soon after, we get a call from the A. Soriano Foundation people who looks after the community islands around their Amanpulo, giving them livelihood etc.

After getting some dressed Sunshines and eggs for the Amanpulo kitchen to try....can we do a seminar in their Manamoc office? They will fly us to Amanpulo..... Wow, who hasn't heard or read about Amanpulo!

Took some days for me to say "yes". Doc Rey and I are so afraid of heights and taking a 17seater plane will be like riding a rollercoaster on air to us! I was trying to convince Doc Rey to do go with an agri friend, but he wanted me as companion. Searched the internet about flying to Amanpulo. Hmmmmmm read very good reviews. So ok...after a couple of days, we agreed.

Glad we did! From the time we got to the A. Soriano Hangar, we were met by the Andres Soriano Foundation staff at the entrance, lunched and flew.

Basing from the flight map, this is our first view of Manamoc.

Approaching the runway of Amanpulo Resort....

Even before landing, you see a line of golfcarts and Amanpulo staff waiting for you. As we alighted, HR Manager and F&B Manager greeted us and welcomed us warmly.

After a light meal, freshened up and now we are all set to crossover to Manamoc. See the island behind us? 30 mins away, that is where we went for the seminar.

The brooder and housing was almost done when we saw it the next day. After the seminar, it was time to go and visit the first location of the project for comments.

Originally I had no intention of going to the farm, 2kms away. But I heard that the generator was going to be turned off, then there were motorcycles for us...so game! I haven't taken a motorcycle ride for ages...and these are the smaller bikes and we were on the rough road climbing a mountain. It was so much fun being a back passenger...the wind, the view, the company :)

I was really glad to have made this trip. Enjoyed Manamoc so much...its community, the people, the A. Soriano Foundation people. Even while still there, Doc Rey and I were talking about what we can give to them. The chosen communities of the ASF are the better ones we have seen so far of the many ones that we have encountered that are receiving livelihood programs.

My Amanpulo experience will be a topic of a separate posting.

Sam Gye Tang

One of my daily reads is pinoy cook, and last week's topic got me running to a Korean grocery.

I was going to make Sam Gye Tang after I found this recipe.

Using my reliable huge crockpot, I started with this.

Timed it to have it ready for a very early breakfast before we fly to the secluded and beautiful Amanpulo in Palawan!

6hrs into slow cooking

8hrs in the crockpot at low....perfect! My favorite? Was the sticky sweet rice inside the chicken as you slice it.

Highly recommended! Use free range chicken in the Philippines of course :) Get Sunshine!

No No

Don't wait for this to happen before making a range rotation. It is so depleted and barely any sign of life.

We suggest not to have goats and chickens in the same range as both of them eat grass to bald the land. Sure goats and chickens may co-exist in the same farm, but have a several ranging area.

Caretakers err and we also miss on somethings because of a lot of work and matters in our minds. Like this ranging area...mistake. Common mistake...which makes it worse because it is so easy to to have avoided it.

Range rotation! Think of what is bad for you, it will be bad also for the land. If you get depleted and dry, it will take more than just vitamins to get you up and about. Rest, rest rest and in terms of time, you will have to wait and ride the down time.

It happened to us also. It occurs when you trust too much, thinking that your instructions are listened too.

The above wasn't caused by mixing goats and chickens. It was a case of not moving a batch of layers on time.

Plan ranges. Make it easy to rotate. Set up posts and just move nets.

Took time to dry up that area. It will take time to revive it. Rake and water. Rake and water...rake and fertilize. Soon after you will see bursts of new life. Notice that when you aerate...new kinds of flora comes out. They had been burried, waiting to be unearthed :)

Cooling Effect

What do you do to cool yourself these days? I have my wet tissues inside the chiller section of my ref. There are several packs that are chilled and I take one (1) with me when I leave in the morning and return at the end of the day. Bottles of body sprays are in the ref too. During long trips, I have them inside a cooler where we keep our drinks too inside the van.

How about my chickens? How do they cool themselves? Sure there are shade trees around, but they want to wander.

Some of our ponds have dried up because of this El Nino we have. The Sunshines have thought that their ranging areas have been widened for them. They now leisurely take a walk down there. It should have a very cooling effect....the wet grounds, the large leaves of the Water Lilies that act as umbrellas in our story books.

I decided to see what they were up to...walking down to go up close and personal.....Wasn't sure to what they were up to down there...

They had been munching on the Water Lilies! No, no, those are not Parsley leaves that seem to border the pond...they are chewed Water Lilies.

Searched on what they may be enjoying and typed Water Lilies on my search button. Water Lilies are edible and medicinal :) Besides, Sunshines know what is good or bad. They were taught well as chicks hahahhahahaha.

Going Back To What You LIke And Have

I learned a lot of things last Wednesday (boy why is it spelled that way). We, together with Zac Sarian and Doc Rey went to Batangas to conduct a seminar that merits another post, and to visit a grower near by.

This grower I remember well because he had attended a seminar thrice, yes 3X. First, maybe then he was scouting what to do. 2nd, by then he knew he wanted to grow Sunshines and he brought a partner with him to attend. 3rd, he just got his first batch and maybe wasn't confident about it or he just needed to be reassured that he was doing right.

On the way to the farm, Doc Rey was always mentioning that this was the one who wanted to do some work with drug rehab guys as he just got out of rehab. I wasn't paying attention as this man was middle aged already...but then, Doc Rey did visit him already some two weeks back...

Because I know his loading schedules, I was expecting to see a free ranging batch and a brooding batch. Gone are the supposed to be ranging batch as it got bought in one flash. In Doc Rey's last visit, he mentioned the availability of RTR in this farm to another vet friend. Good the referral got through.

I told you, there is a market for the "ready to range" RTR as we call it.

The grower started talking...how he loved farming even as a kid...but he got wayward...etc etc. He spent 8 yrs in rehab, he is now 54...not yet graduated from rehab fully. So it means he was in rehab since he was about 46, but was dependent for like almost 30yrs. So Doc Rey was right!

People who know me know how blatantly open I talk (others will say tactless), so I said good he wasn't affected! He talks intelligently, he doesn't move in slow motions. He is very well mannered. I wouldn't have guessed.

Getting side tracked! My real point here is that when he wanted to recreate his life, he went back to what he knew he wanted to do but never did...farming :) He had good friends and family who propped him up. Working as scaffoldings, but not as crutches for him..w/c is really good, I think.

He saw this idle farm of his friend and the friend offered him to spend time here and work together. Step one, he was going to farm. In the process he was enjoying, working and being productive. Things he hadn't done for a long time. Now, he even wants to give projects to similar drug dependents still in rehab. He is so happy with a clean life that he wants to do everything all at the same time.

Hold it :) Focus....

He was looking the other way :)

Then Zac Sarian showed him the mature Kalamansi Trees. It just needed some caring and fertilizing. It was already mature and should be very productive with a little work done on it. Much like our farmer here, don't you think? :)

These Kalamansi Trees will give income to the farm.

Our farmer stopped and listened. Saw the light.

Then he talked about expansion. Very excited because he is seeing the prospects in the first small ventures.

Next to the Kalamansi Trees...ready for use :)


When you don't know where to start or what to do for the first steps. Go back to yourself and enter your heart...then look out around you.