Backyard Livestock for Filipinos
Backyard Livestock for Filipinos
ANIMAL RAISING
Filipinos nowadays engage in animal raising. It is one of the sources of livelihood today.
Every household usually had animals raised in their backyard. Some had occupied a certain lot
wherein houses/pigpens were built for their pigs, chickens, cows, and goats. Animals eat corn
and hay grown on the farm, in return, they provide milk, and eggs, wool and meat for humans,
and their waste can fertilize the soil. Animal manure contains many nutrients that plants can use
to grow. One of the major reasons why Filipinos engage in animal raising is the increasing cost
of live and frozen poultry, pork and beef as well as eggs and milk. There is also much needed
supply of meat which is a good source of protein in our body. Any person with equipped
knowledge, handwork, skill and perseverance will become a successful entrepreneur with this
kind of livelihood.
Kinds of Four-legged Animals to be Raised as Means of Livelihood
A. Hog/Swine Raising
One of the sources of livelihood of many Filipinos is animal. This is one of our industry
that can be done in a backyard or vacant lot as long as the person involve has knowledge, skills
and hard work. It can be a profitable business. According to research, about 80% of animals
raised are done in a backyard only. (Technology Resource Center, DOST, 2011).
Pork is one of the popular meats in the market. Filipinos are heavy consumers of this
protein –rich food. Success in swine raising begins with the proper selection of breeds. There
are two types of variety or breed to select from:
1. The native variety commonly found in rural areas. This variety feeds on palay and meal
leftovers of the family. They feed on grounds as they simply loiter in the backyard.
2. The imported varieties are Yorkshire or Large White, Landrace, Duroc-Jersey, Hampshire,
Berkshire and Poland-China. Detailed description of these varieties will be discussed further
in the next modules.
TYPES OF SWINE
There are two major types of swine:
d. Hampshire
Long-legged and slender body
White belt around the body, shoulder and forelegs
Can be raised in rugged condition
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e. Berkshire
Black color eith 6 white points
Erect ears of medium sizes are set apart
Good meat producers
f. Poland –China
Black in color with 6 white points
Medium –sized ears are slightly drooping
Does not produce much offspring
Meat of the swine is one of the popular meats in the market. Filipinos are heavy
consumers of this protein-rich food.
The following are the standard breeds of swine commonly raised today:
a. Hampshire – The pig looks smaller than other breeds. The ears are erect, tail is
usually black, and legs are short.
b. Duroc – This breed comes from New Jersey. It has a dark red and golden yellow
color. It is also a good producer of milk and has good mothering characteristics.
c. Yorkshire-This breed is commonly raised in Canada. It has large ears with white and
black spots. This breed is a good source of meat for making bacon.
d. Landrace – This breed comes from Denmark. It has white hair and skin. Its ears are
larger in size and cover much of its face. Its meat is best for making bacon, ham, and
pork chop.
e. Hypor- This breed has well-muscled back, well developed ham, and has high
carcass quality. It has superior milking qualities.
f. Poland China- This breed is black in color with white spots on its feet, tail, and face.
It has thick meat.
g. Tamworth – This has a long narrow head, long snout, and erects ears. The body is
light and dark red in color. Its meat is best for making bacon.
Swine at different age levels require different feed types to be given two to three times
per day. The following are different feed types for specific age levels:
Alternative food like camote tops, kangkong, papaya leaves may also be given to swine
from time to time.
Shed, yards and other farm equipment should be strong enough and suitable for the
animals being handled.
keep walkways, clean, dry, and other non-slippery.
Gates, footholds, and access ways shall be in the most accessible position.
Keep all equipment well maintained
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Safety handling for PIGS:
Boars should be kept separately.
Restrain pigs during transportation.
Avoid lifting pigs, but if necessary, hold it with its
hind legs and lift it with thigh.
Move boars using a board.
B. Goat Raising
Goats are very popular among Filipinos because they require low capital investment, fit the
small hold farm condition and multiply fast. Culturally, goats are integral to every special
occasion such as birthdays, baptisms, weddings, and fiestas. Hence, they command a higher
price compared with other meats in the market.
Goats require low maintenance because they eat tree leaves, weeds, grasses, and
agricultural by- products. They are not only a source of protein, but they also provide the much-
needed income. In fact, goats provide livelihood to about 15 million Filipinos across the country
today.
As goat production requires low initial investment and small risks compared to other
livestock species, it is thus an attractive undertaking among resource- poor families. Moreover,
women and children can raise the species, making it a sound option to augment the country’s
programs on livelihood.
D. Carabao Raising
The carabao (swamp-type buffalo) is a prized symbol of a farmer's wealth and is an integral
component of Philippine agriculture. Millions of crop farmers rely on this animal as the main
source of draft power for almost all farming operations despite the introduction of small power
tillers. The carabao provides animal protein in the form of meat and milk; as well as hides and
horns (which have many economic uses) and manure, a potential organic fertilizer for the farm.
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E. Horse Raising
Horse is a highly intelligent and emotional animal that will change your life. Interacting
with horses is one of the most stress relieving activities. However, you must be fully prepared
and consider the financial issue along with the commitment needed, if you decide to raise
horses at your property. Horses or any other livestock cannot be left unattended
for over a day. Raising horses means caring, watching, cleaning, feeding
and troubleshooting 365 days a year. Thus, if you consider leaving let’s say for a
weekend, you must find an experienced and reliable farm sitter to take care of your horses.
Possible Hazards that Animal Raising Can Cause to the People and Community
Animal raising is one of the sources of livelihood of many Filipino families today. It can
be done in one’s backyard or in a small lot nearby. But with this advantage, lots of hazards
arise. When animals and their houses are not properly maintained it can cause a number of
hazards to the people in the neighborhood. Such hazards are as follows:
1. Pollution
Animal waste that is not properly disposed and is left exposed in the
backyard can produce a very unpleasant smell causing air pollution.
Likewise, the animal waste can attract flies and insects which can be
carriers of disease-causing bacteria and other microorganisms.
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4. Clean and regularly disinfect the houses of animals.
5. Bathe animal regularly.
6. Have adequate space for animals to move about for exercise and promote good health.
For instance, three to four hogs can be housed comfortably in a 2 meter by 2-meter
concrete enclosure with roofing.
7. Quarantine new hogs for 30 days before having them joined with other hogs to ensure the
safety and health of the regular hogs as well as the new ones.
8. Inquire to the animal technician or veterinary always.
9. Burn animals immediately which died due to disease to sickness avoid the spread of
diseases and bacteria.
10.Maintain health and sanitation program for animals to ensure their health and safety.
Carabaos are also excellent potential sources of milk as they can produce 300 to 800
kilograms of milk during a lactation period of 180 to 300 days. Murrah crossbreeds can produce
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42% more milk than the native caracows. Carabao milk has a higher nutritive value than cow's
milk and can be easily used in the production of soft white cheese (kesong puti).
Goat is a healthy alternative to pork and beef since goat feeds only on grasses and
vegetables. Now, there is an increase in demand for goats. Although total goat inventory in the
country is steadily increasing at 2% per year, still there is not enough supply to meet current
demands. It is expected that this increased demand will last up to 2020, the year when supply
is projected to meet demand. Considering these, goat production is indeed a promising venture
and anyone interested to go into this business is expected to reap positive rewards
B. Poultry Farming- Raises domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks, turkeys, quail and
geese to produce meat or eggs for food.
It is the raising of birds domestically or commercially, primarily for meat and eggs but
also for feathers. Chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese are of primary importance, while
guinea fowl and squabs (young pigeons) are chiefly of local interest.
Raising chickens is a profitable business venture that has been popular for many years in
the Philippines. As one of the top producers of chicken meat and eggs worldwide, there are
different types of chicken farming businesses that you can start depending on your interests and
resources.
Table Egg Production or Raising Chicken Layers is one of the most common types of
chicken farming businesses in the Philippines. It involves raising chickens that will lay eggs for
human consumption. The chickens are known as layers because they are specifically bred and
raised to produce table eggs.
2. Broiler Production
Broiler production is a popular and profitable chicken farming business in the Philippines.
This type of poultry farming focuses on raising chickens specifically for meat, known as broilers,
or 45 days chicken in the Philippines. The process involves rearing these birds until they reach
their ideal market weight, which usually happens within 35 to 45 days.
A major advantage of broiler production is its relatively short turnover rate, allowing
farmers to see quick returns on their investments. Additionally, this method caters to the high
demand for chicken meat in both local and international markets.
Hatching Egg Production is a type of poultry business that focuses on producing hatching
eggs for broiler production. This means that instead of raising chickens for meat or egg-laying
purposes, the focus is on providing fertilized eggs to other farmers who will then incubate them
and raise the resulting chicks.
One advantage of this type of chicken farming business is that it doesn’t require as much
space as some other types since there’s no need to house adult birds. Instead, you can focus
on creating optimal conditions for your breeding flock to produce high-quality hatching eggs.
One of the profitable types of chicken farming business in the Philippines is Chicken Egg
Hatchery Business. This type of business involves buying hatching eggs and selling chicks to
poultry farmers or backyard raisers. Aside from day-olds, some customers also prefer
pullets or young hens that are about three months old and ready to lay eggs. These can
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fetch a higher price compared to day-olds but require more care and feeding while
growing up.
Free-range chicken farming is a type of poultry business that involves raising chickens in an
open area where they are allowed to roam freely and forage for their own food. This method is
sometimes referred to as organic chicken farming because it does not involve the use of
antibiotics or artificial growth hormones.
One of the advantages of free-range chicken farming is that it produces healthier chickens
with leaner meat and higher nutritional value. This is due to the fact that free-range chickens are
exposed to sunlight which helps them produce vitamin D, and they consume natural foods like
insects, seeds, and vegetation which can enhance their taste.
Native chicken farming is a popular type of poultry business in the Philippines. It involves
raising native chickens for both meat and egg production. These chickens are considered
superior to commercial breeds because they are more resilient, disease-resistant, and flavourful
One advantage of native chicken farming is that it requires minimal capital investment since
these birds can be raised using simple housing structures made from indigenous materials like
bamboo or nipa palm leaves. Additionally, native chickens have lower feed requirements than
commercial breeds which means less cost on feeds.Another benefit of this type of chicken
farming is its market demand. Native chickens are highly sought after by Filipinos due to their
distinctive taste and texture as well as their association with traditional dishes like adobo and
tinola.
7. Gamefarm Business
Gamefarm business involves raising and training gamefowls for cockfighting, a popular sport
in the Philippines. Gamefowl breeds are carefully selected and bred for their fighting abilities,
speed, agility, strength, and endurance. They are also trained rigorously to enhance these traits.
Gamefarm Business deals with breeding gamefowls specifically trained for cockfighting
purposes—a controversial practice but still a thriving industry in our country today.
In Conclusion
The chicken farming business in the Philippines offers a wide range of opportunities for
entrepreneurs who want to venture into agriculture. The demand for poultry products such as
eggs and meat is high, which makes it a profitable industry.
Each type of chicken farming business has its own advantages and disadvantages,
depending on your goals and resources. It is important to conduct thorough research before
starting any type of poultry farm to ensure success.
Moreover, with the increasing interest in organic foods and sustainable agriculture
practices, now is the perfect time to invest in free-range or native chicken farming.
Whatever type of chicken farming you choose, always prioritize the welfare of your birds by
providing them with adequate housing, nutrition, and care. With dedication and hard work, your
chicken farming business can prosper while contributing to the country’s economy at large.
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The following are the required permits when putting up a farm business:
Stated below are the day-to-day operations of the farm or the production cycle operations of the
farm:
It is important to take care of the environment when raising animals. Some laws regulate
the use of a place for animal raising. Laws prohibit the use of residential areas for large-scale
animal raising. There is a need to segregate waste. A definite place should be allotted for
dumping the waste. Be sure that this waste does not pollute the surrounding area specially
lakes, ponds, and rivers. Animals should stay in their own fence and they are not allowed to
loiter.
Harvesting Animals
Pigs
Raising pig is a profitable business. Many products are derived from swine meat or pork.
Even the protein is derived from its meat. Pig can be sold at five to six months of age.
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Goats
Goat can be slaughtered at 3 to 5 months of age. It can be sold also by weighing.
Cattles / Cows
The highest quality beef comes from animals that are under 36 months of age. Old cows
produce highly acceptable beef if properly fattened and processed. Depending on the calf and
the feeding regime, calves are best slaughtered between three and 16 weeks of age.
Marketing of Animals
1. Direct farm sales
You can sell animal or fish by-products directly from your farm. This is a very convenient
way to generate income since there is no extra cost for rent. All your selling transactions
can be done within your farm.
2. Farmers market/livestock auction market
As an animal raiser/farm operator, you should be on the lookout for events such as
livestock auction markets or similar events in your area where people from nearby
provinces come to buy livestock direct from raisers themselves.
3. Farm to market
Some farming families or entrepreneurs also have meat shop or fish stall in the nearby
wet market to sell their own animal products.
4. Restaurants
One possible livestock client can be the nearby restaurants in your area. You could
establish “suki” system.
5. Selling through the internet
Due to the wide coverage of the internet, aside from placing advertisements on
different websites, you could also use social media to market your animal and fish
farm products and services.
6. Selling through middlemen
There are entrepreneurs and there are people who work with entrepreneurs to make deals
with other entrepreneurs, resellers, and dealers. These are called middlemen. Middlemen
are people who buy goods from animal and fish raisers and sells them to retailers or other
consumers.
Cow’s milk is packed as fresh milk, evaporated milk, powdered milk, or used as
ingredient for cheese, butter, yogurt, ice cream, pastillas, and leche flan and other
dessert products.
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1. It is a source of livelihood or source of income for many families.
2. It installs the spirit of entrepreneurship, hardwork and industry to individual who are in
the business.
3. It can be a good hobby for those who are interested in animal and fish raising.
4. It contributes to the economy of the family and the community.
5. It encourages other members of the family to participate and help the family business
thus instilling in the value of cooperation love for the family and the drive to improve the
business.
Mrs. Jukni joined the Danlugan Multi-Purpose Cooperative and was able to avail
the GMA Dairy CARES Program of the National Dairy Authority through the City Veterinary
Office of Pagadian City after completing all the project requirements such as cattle shed
and improve pasture. In September 2006, she was granted four (4) heads of dairy
pregnant heifer under the said program which started producing milk in 2007 and planted
more pasture to sustain the feeding of her dairy cattle. In mid-2008 she was granted
another six (6) heads of pregnant dairy heifer and was able to produce milk at an average
production level of ten (10) liters per day. At present, she has a total of 24 dairy cattle, 8 of
which are lactating cows.
All throughout the operation of her integrated farm, she found it self fulfilling since it
was through livestock raising and integrated farming system that she was able to help
people in her community. She was able to provide the necessary training requirements to
dairy farm worker volunteers in her dairy farm to facilitate their work application as dairy
farm workers abroad.
The adjacent neighborhood also enjoyed Mrs. Jukni’s milk feeding program to
preschoolers which she sponsors every month. She also conducts special milk feeding
during summer months serving more children and pregnant mothers in the neighborhood.
She is a living example of genuine community services and espouses the tenets of proper
nutrition and the importance of milk to growing children and lactating mothers.
With her income in milk production in 2009, she bought a milking machine power
wash machine and a motorcycle with sidecar which she uses for milk delivery from her
farm to their home-based milk processing center in Danlugan, a project of the cooperative.
Through the milk production of the Danlugan Multi-Purpose Cooperative, the Pagadian City
Nutrition Committee was conferred the CROWN AWARD of the National Nutrition Council
of the Philippines in 2009 as a Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition for
having successfully implemented its Milk Feeding Program from 2007-2009.
The Milk Feeding Program was able to reduce the prevalence of underweight preschoolers
by 4.54%.
Mrs Jukni’s dairy farm is earning an average return of investment of 43% from 2007
– 2009 and adopting an integrated farming system made her National and Regional
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Outstanding Large Animal Raiser. She is just recently chosen as the National Winner:
OUTSTANDING GAAWAD SAKA for LARGE ANIMAL RAISER.
2. Oscar Garin
Aside from being a public servant, Philippine Coconut Administrator Oscar Garin is
a successful entrepreneur.
His Passion
Garin pursued a degree in civil engineering. However, in the early 1980’s, he went
back to his original passion. He started raising sows in his backyard. His small piggery
eventually became a commercial hog farm with 500 sows and named it Octagon Farm
Product and Supply.
When the farm started to become profitable, Garin added other livestock like goats,
cattle and sheep. He also ventured into poultry production with turkeys, ducks and game
fowls. His farm became a major supplier of high quality breeders for hog farmers and
backyard growers in Southern Iloilo. Some 30% of the pork his farm produce are sold in the
province and the remaining 70% are transported to Metro Manila markets.
An Eco-Tourism Destination
As part of Garin’s business expansion, he put up a resort, theme park and zoo
rolled into one. RACSO’s Inland-Wood-land Resort showcases exotic marine and ground
animals, trees, flowering plants combined with modern amenities. RACSO’s Resort is
registered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and internationally
known as an eco-tourism destination.
GARIN FARM is a one-stop shop for farmers and anyone interested in agriculture
and environmentalism. Garin’s love for animals and passion in raising them remains while
he continues to make profitable enterprises and help improve the lives of people around
him.
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Connie’s family lives in Cairohan since 1980. As tenant farmers, they plant
vegetables and fruit trees. They also raise poultry and livestock. She sold their product
to the nearest market and their children brought vegetables and eggs to sell to help their
daily needs.
Connie’s family owns Kryz Vocational and Technical School (KVTS), a TESDA-
accredited school in the province of Iloilo that caters to trainings such as Shielded Metal
Arc Welding (SMAW) NC I and NC II, Housekeeping NC II, Organic Agriculture
Production NC II, Cookery NC II, Food and Beverages Services NC II, and Bread and
Pastry Production NC II. In year 2002, in response to the demand of the community,
KVTS opens a training on handicrafts (flowers made of processed fabric), fashion
jewelry, and food processing. Connie taught handicrafts and food processing at the
University of San Agustin and West Visayas State University and was often requested to
teach at community-based trainings.
From a simple handicrafts school for out of school youth (OSY), the training
center evolved into a culinary and restaurant services school, and finally into Kryz
Vocational Technical School that now has its own three-story building and workshops.
Because of the growing trust, Connie’s school has received accreditation from TESDA,
DTI, and OWWA, and has also been tapped by various organizations like Save the
Children International, YMCA International, Handicap International, DTI Region 6, and
ATI Region 6 for trainings.
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