Biosecurity in raising breeder chickens

Families in Vinh Ha hamlet (Dai Xuyen commune, Hanoi) are undergoing a major change, as many farmers shift from small, traditional backyard flocks to closed-loop biosecure breeder chicken systems. This transformation not only helps households take control of their own breeding stock but also opens a path toward more stable, predictable, and sustainable economic development. The family of Lai Van Hung, one of the pioneering farmers who embraced this new model early on, stands out as a representative example of determination, adaptation, and gradual progress.

Hung explains that traditionally, households in Vinh Ha relied on free-range chicken farming, using small flocks and purchasing day-old chicks from outside sources. These practices exposed families to low-quality stock, frequent disease outbreaks, high mortality, and unstable income. These vulnerabilities provided the impetus for adopting the closed-loop breeder chicken model.

Through the local agricultural extension program, farmers like Hung received financial assistance, training in husbandry techniques, and opportunities to participate in workshops. As a result, several households began replacing traditional husbandry practices with breeder-chicken models that offer better control and reduced vulnerability.

The shift has brought a noticeable economic breakthrough. In the past, Hung raised approximately 300 bought-in chicks for each batch, and losses consistently hovered around 20 - 30%. Diseases could spread quickly in a small, scattered backyard environment, and the fluctuating price of chicks often made production costs difficult to manage. After adopting the breeder-chicken model and taking full control of chick production, Hung’s household saw rapid improvements in both efficiency and economic stability. Reliable access to healthy chicks helped eliminate dependency on external suppliers, and the consistent quality of the breeding flock reduced mortality and improved growth performance.

Hung calculated that with just 100 laying hens, his farm could produce more than 10,000 chicks annually. This productivity allows the family to maintain a strong, healthy breeding stock while also earning additional income by supplying chicks to nearby households and to the Dai Xuyen Poultry Farm. The shift has effectively doubled the family’s profits compared to traditional methods.

The model has also brought benefits beyond income. Thanks to a more stable cash flow, Hung can now support neighbors by sharing breeding stock, offering technical advice, and even lending capital to those who wish to start their own breeder flocks. This sense of community support has helped strengthen the entire hamlet’s farming capacity.

Hung and his wife have continued to reinvest, upgrading their facilities with better ventilation systems, improved lighting, and more spacious houses to optimize flock health. Their farm has now expanded to a scale of 5,000 breeder chickens, making it one of the largest in the hamlet.

Vu Van Hien, Head of Vinh Ha hamlet, stresses that the breeder-chicken model directly addresses local vulnerabilities by enabling households to produce their own chicks. Self-sufficiency decreases exposure to market fluctuations and external disease threats, lifting many families from financial instability and, for some, poverty.

Preliminary data from the Dai Xuyen Commune People’s Committee indicates that by late 2024, Vinh Ha hamlet had more than 50 households raising breeder chickens. Flock sizes range from 100 to 500 hens per household, and average annual income per household has risen to between VND 80 and 150 million, a remarkable improvement compared to the small-scale, low-yield systems of the past.

Despite its advantages, the breeder-chicken model still presents several challenges. Pricing instability remains one of the biggest concerns, especially during seasons when chick demand drops or feed prices rise. Weather conditions, especially sudden temperature or humidity changes, can negatively affect both breeding stock and hatching rates. Disease pressure is also higher in concentrated flocks, requiring farmers to maintain strict biosecurity measures.

“Temperature and humidity must remain stable. Without strict control, eggs won’t have enough moisture to hatch,” Hung said. “A normal batch takes 21 days, and we rotate batches continuously so the incubators never sit idle.” He added that incubation requires attention to detail, and even minor fluctuations can cause significant losses.

Caring for breeder stock also proves more complicated than raising egg-laying chickens. When breeder chickens fall ill, farmers cannot administer medication indiscriminately, as it may reduce egg fertility or affect hatchability. The productive lifespan of breeder hens is short; within less than a year, farmers must replace the flock to avoid hatching chicks during winter, when the market demand weakens. After each breeding cycle, farmers must pause for about six months to clean, disinfect, and prepare the facilities before starting a new cycle.

To support farmers, Dai Xuyen commune authorities are working with the Vinh Ha Agricultural Cooperative to develop the “Vinh Ha Breeder Chicken” brand. The aim is to connect households, standardize technical practices, ensure food safety, and gradually establish contract-based production agreements with businesses. This branding initiative is expected to enhance product recognition and stabilize the market for local farmers.

Agricultural extension officers in Dai Xuyen continue to encourage households to prioritize breed quality, maintain rigorous hygiene, ensure full vaccination schedules, and carefully plan flock size to prevent oversupply and minimize disease pressure. With proper planning and shared experience, the breeder-chicken model in Vinh Ha has strong potential to become a sustainable and widely adopted development direction for the community.