The layer hens (Leghorn breed) eagerly await their daily release. With 4ha of land for just 500 chickens, there's plenty of room for them to roam and forage. Photos: The Star/Azman Ghani
In the lush rolling landscapes of Raub, Pahang once renowned for its gold, a new treasure now thrives: durian orchards. Among one of these orchards is a 10-acre (4ha) farm, where rows of durian trees stand tall and proud alongside free-roaming chickens, creating a harmonious ecosystem that reflects the ethos of its owner.
Eric Ng, at 54, is not your typical farmer. Born and bred in Kuala Lumpur, he traded the hustle and bustle of urban life 15 years ago for the tranquillity of rural Raub and now proudly calls himself a natural farmer. His farm is dedicated to sustainable practices and focuses on producing high-quality eggs and fruits.
Uh-oh! Daily quota reached.
The layer hens (Leghorn breed) eagerly await their daily release. With 4ha of land for just 500 chickens, there's plenty of room for them to roam and forage. Photos: The Star/Azman Ghani
Oyster shells, which supplement the chickens’ calcium intake, are placed along the driveway, a practical solution that ensures the shells are broken down through daily foot and vehicle traffic.
Freshly laid eggs being collected at the farm.
Tall durian trees serve as a backdrop to this picturesque farm site, with chickens roaming the area.
The chicken poop breaks down into compost, enriching the soil and serving as fertiliser for plants.
The compost and mulch on the ground help maintain the bedding temperature at an ideal 33°C to 35°C, creating a comfortable environment for the chicks.
Ng gently lifts a three-week-old chick, explaining how to assess its health by examining the temperature and condition of its feet.
A diverse, fermented feed blend for the chickens that contains beneficial bacteria for their gut health, including moringa, papaya, napier grass, palm oil, coconut and fruits from the farm. The mix also includes sesame seeds, wheat germ, corn, black bean, soybean and mushrooms.
Despite having a total of 30 toothpicks piercing its yolk sac, a freshly laid egg remarkably maintains its integrity, with the sac remaining unbroken even after removal.
Homemade fermented concoctions that Ng feeds to the chickens as well as trees, featuring ingredients like licorice, angelica, cinnamon as a fungicide, garlic, ginger and minerals like calcium phosphate from oyster shells.
Ng demonstrates the remarkable quality of the eggs from his farm, picking up the yolk sac without any breakage.
The compost-and-grass bedding serves a triple purpose − keep odours in check, maintain temperature and provide the chicks with something to forage on, ensuring their wellbeing.
Within the chicken coops, there is an unexpected absence of odour and flies. The ground is dry and soft under a layer of freshly cut grass and compost.
The 4ha farm has over 200 mature durian, cempedak, mangosteen, banana and coconut trees.
