Founded in Taysan, Batangas, Natural Livestock Trading is a family agribusiness that is continued by the current generation.
Inside the farm are egg-laying buildings and brooding coops for chicks. It currently houses 20,000 to 25,000 Ready-to-Lay (RTL) chickens, the majority of which are Babcock White layers.
Every day, the mature chickens are given high-density layer mash at four in the morning and three in the afternoon, while the Day-Old Pullets (DOP) or chicks receive supplements at eight in the morning and three in the afternoon.
One of the farm owners, who prefers to be anonymous, says it takes 16 weeks for a chick to mature. Their chickens lay approximately 180 eggs daily, which are collected twice a day.
Day-old pullets receive mandatory vaccination for their growth, while Ready-to-Lay chickens are taken to the vet when necessary.
A part of the farm’s monthly routine is cleaning the dryer or the structure underneath the coop where feces collect.
“Besides water and feed, chicks need a heat source and protection from the elements. During typhoon season, chicks need to be protected from the rain and wind. During the summer months, the enclosure needs to be properly ventilated,” the third-generation egg farmer added.
The family sells the majority of the eggs and also buys some from their own farm for personal consumption. They also offer RTL chickens.
A tray of assorted eggs is priced at P185 to P200 in the market today, so the pricing for their products changes depending on the demand. This also means income fluctuates due to the unstable market supply and demand for eggs.
The farm is composed of farmhands who have been referred to the family by former employees. Caring for the chickens, maintaining the farm facilities, and collecting eggs are the three main tasks that are divided among the farm workers.
Farmhands are given a fixed salary on top of the commissions they earn from selling DOPs, or day-old pullets.
Photos courtesy of Natural Livestock Trading