Betong Chicken Raising in Southern Thailand A Preliminary

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Chanjula, P. and K. Pattamarakha. 2002. Betong chicken raising in Southern Thailand: A Preliminary Survey. J. ISSAAS. 8(2): 14-24. Marketing and opinions about future production Most farmers (69.1%) sold the Bethong chicken at their farms (Table 5). If they lived in a non-remote area they would travel to local markets. A few (about 10.9%) joined together for selling as they had better bargaining strength. The farm sale price per head of fattening and breeders were 120 and 200 baht respectively. When asked about price most (70.9%) were satisfied or very satisfied. Those who did not sell their stock did not do so because they used them for self-consumption, raised as a hobby, for conservation, or had just begun raising. Concerning future trends, farmers’ perceptions varied. More than one-half (59.9%) believed that the economy would be better in terms of more production and better marketing but 15.5% noted that future production was dependent on the national economy. Other (16.4%) claimed that there would be a decrease in the number of farmers, that the cost of production would rise, and that there would be a fluctuating market. So there are many different opinions, but most believe that it will get better. Support from public services and associated problems Some farmers received a variety of services from public agencies, especially the Department of Livestock Development. These services included vaccinations and other drugs, feed, and training (Table 6), all offered to farmers without charge. A few problems were not covered, but they did not affect many farmers. Major problems with raising Betong chickens were a fluctuating market5, a lack of knowledge in production and selection, and the high cost of feed, material and equipment. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMEDATIONS Farmers raised Betong chickens for consumption, sale and conservation, and also because they simply enjoyed the practice. Most raised chickens in cages outside the house, and fed them with concentrate and house scraps or feedstuff. Most used available government-supplied vaccinations, and few had mortality problems. When the chicken were ill some farmers contacted the veterinarian while others used self-treatment. Dead chickens were buried. About one-half made use of selection by selecting the biggest female while others borrowed from other farmers. A few made use of breeding correctly. When chickens were mature farmers sold them from their homes and were generally satisfied with the price. Betong production has the strengths of rapid growth, high revenue and easy access to markets, but also some weaknesses such as being difficult to raise due to a low tolerance for the rainy season and the high cost of breeders. Based on this study, the following recommendation are made: 1. An increase in the number of Betong farmers has occurred in recent years, however few have received any training in Betong production. A short training course should be made available for those with no experience in raising Betong chickens. 2. Farmers received assistance from the government in vaccination and drugs, but they lack knowledge in selection and breeding, and prevention of the outbreak of diseases, thus the training should pay special attention to this. 3. The Betong chicken has rapid growth and good taste, thus can meet the market demand, and farmers agree that they receive a reasonable and satisfactory price. Intense promotion for large scale production should be undertaken to reduce market fluctuations. 4. Betong chickens do not adjust well to the rapid change of weather, especially in the rainy season, making them more receptive to diseases. Farmers should be well aware of this problem. 5. Breeders are still expensive, averaging 200 baht per head, thus making them hard to afford for some farmers. If some growers switched to raising Betong as breeders D/R/P-R/betongAJAS45 4
Chanjula, P. and K. Pattamarakha. 2002. Betong chicken raising in Southern Thailand: A Preliminary Survey. J. ISSAAS. 8(2): 14-24. rather than for fattening, perhaps good quality and lower priced breeders would be more easily available. Better coordination between those raising for fattening is necessary for successful Betong production. 6. Farmer association development is important for farmers in bargaining for a better price. In addition, these groups could help reduce production costs when farm inputs are bought in bulk for economies of scale. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors wish to thank Mr. David Patterson, English Consultant at the Faculty of Natural Resources, for this assistance in editing the manuscript. D/R/P-R/betongAJAS45 REFERENCES Chanjula, P. 1998. Betong chicken: An interesting native chicken. Khon Kaen Agric J. 23(3): 111- 116. Gongruttananun, N. and R. Chotesangasa. 1996. A study of growth and carcass yield of Betong chickens compared with those of native and crossbred Betong x Native chickens. Kasetsart J. (Nat. Sci.) 30 : 312 – 321. Oboon, T. and O. Vetchbutsakorn. 1994. A study of comparison in Betong chicken, Betong x Rhode crossbred and Betong x Bar crossbred performance. Reserch project. NO. 36– 0406–040, Yala Breeding Station, Dept. of Livestock Development. 5
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Betong Chicken Raising in Southern Thailand A Preliminary

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