From Peewee to Large Eggs

• 2016 annual report

Commodities

• Additional Plants: pigeon pea,
• Animals: poultry
• Animal Products: eggs, cross-bred baby chicks, pullets, hens

Practices

• Animal Production: feed/forage, feed formulation, feed rations, free-range, livestock breeding
• Education and Training: demonstration, display, extension, farmer to farmer, on-farm/ranch research, posted on Facebook pages
• Production Systems: integrated crop and livestock systems

The conventional way of bringing in day-old layer chicks from Hawaii and raising and feeding them  with commercial poultry feeds did not advance the layer industry on Guam. At present, it is even more difficult to bring in day-old chicks because of the current poultry disease situation in the US mainland. My local, native hen populations are laying peewee eggs due to their small body  size. There is no market for peewee to  small size eggs. This grant will look into the integration of upgrading the local chicken population and maximizing use of local feed materials. Day-old breeds of Rhode Island Red, Australorp and Barred Rock cockerels will be brought in to use for the upgrading program. Pullets from these crossbreeding of purebred roosters and local hens will be raised for egg production. These pullets until laying stage will be fed with processed local feeds such as breadfruit, taro, coconuts, with emphasis on using high protein plant materials such as pigeon pea for  protein. Compost sites will be within reach of these chickens where they can look for larva, earthworms and pests for additional  protein source. Since the crossbred pullets will be bigger and heavier, the eggs will be bigger for market.  This will be an initial attempt to upgrade local chicken population and fully relying on local feeds for production of eggs. This will show the poultry producers to maximize utilization of local resources for food production and security on Guam and possibly in the region.   

1. To upgrade the genetic make-up of local pullet and hen population for egg production. This will transform to larger local eggs and meatier hens for sale upon culling.
2. To demonstrate a low input small-scale egg production for family consumption and sales for extra income.
3. To educate poultry producers to rely more on local resources relative to poultry production. Demonstration site will be open for visit from the community and schools.
4. To promote use of multi-purpose plants such as pigeon pea as animal feed and as soil-enriching qualities.
5. To promote food sustainability and security in the region.