YouFarm! Free-Range Chickens Lay Good Eggs! Introduction
Walking into the rural path of Lufeng Village in Zhudong Township, Hsinchu County, the large sign of "Youzhu Ranch" is prominently displayed on the exterior wall of the building. The first thing that catches your eye in the ranch is the towering silos storing soybean feed. Upon closer inspection, you will find five chicken coops scattered throughout the area. Some coops are designated for raising chicks, while others are for laying hens. Simultaneously, a large number of chickens are running freely in the open space next to the coops, each one being a cherished pet of Luo Youzhu, the second-generation owner of the ranch. At under 30 years old, Luo Youzhu is a native Hakka from Hsinchu County who grew up watching his father, Luo Shilong, raise chickens, developing a deep affection for them. After serving in the military, he briefly worked in sales for a year, but the stress of the job contrasted sharply with the joy he saw in his father’s daily care for the chickens, prompting him to return home and help out, thus beginning his chicken-raising journey. Friendly Farming for Happy Laying Hens Originally, the Luo family raised native chickens. One day, a salesperson who sold eggs visited and mentioned that egg prices were good, and since they had some unused coops, this sparked Luo Youzhu's desire to raise laying hens. "A family raising chickens naturally wants to try raising all types," Luo Youzhu says with a smile. Thus, father and son ventured into the world of egg production, gradually gaining expertise in poultry farming. Now, Youzhu Ranch exclusively raises laying hens and has become a "happy ranch" for the entire family. What sets Youzhu Ranch apart is its use of pasture-raised methods for laying hens, a practice generally reserved for broilers. "Why should laying hens be kept in cages day and night to produce eggs? It just doesn't seem right," Luo Youzhu, who has regarded chickens as companions since childhood, believes that treating chickens kindly results in better eggs. Although this free-range approach seems economically disadvantageous, Luo Youzhu insists on the principle of "ethical sourcing" and treats the chickens humanely. The ranch features an automated egg collection design to ensure the eggs do not fall to the ground and are less contaminated without being washed. But how to encourage these free-roaming chickens to lay eggs in their designated laying boxes? It turns out that when the laying hens get ready to produce, they tend to crouch and stay still, at this time, they need to be placed in the egg-laying boxes to get accustomed to laying eggs there. Training over a thousand chickens takes a period of one to two months, with repeated actions from morning till night, highlighting the hard work involved. Self-Prepared! Non-Toxic and Healthy Feed It's essential for the chickens to play happily and eat non-toxic, healthy feed. Entering the feed storage room of Youzhu Ranch, various raw materials are piled up. Employees weigh the ingredients precisely before mixing them, then send them to the coops for the chickens to enjoy. Starting with his father, Luo Shilong, who experimented with various feed formulations, Luo Youzhu has continued adjusting the mixture after taking over, changing the formula over thirty times while considering the factors affecting egg shell thickness and yolk color. "The feed is like the main dish in a meal," says Luo Youzhu, noting that their feed is grain-based with added trace elements, seaweed, and probiotics. Each batch of feed requires careful attention to detail in proportions. Luo Youzhu believes that it’s akin to how a mother prepares home-cooked meals—despite the difficulty, the source and ingredients are clear. By eliminating synthetic chemicals and investing effort into the feed, Youzhu Ranch's eggs are more natural and free from toxins, gaining recognition from many customers amidst food safety issues. Step by Step! Marketing Challenges The move from raising native chickens to laying hens posed marketing challenges. Initially, not only did they lose old customers, but young Luo Youzhu faced skepticism when visiting egg distribution stores, as many thought he was just experimenting and doubted how long he would last. Then, by an unexpected opportunity, he encountered the “Animal Society of Taiwan,” an organization that emphasizes humane farming practices. Through their introduction, many organic stores came to know about Youzhu Ranch's non-toxic eggs, helping to resolve some distribution issues. Additionally, Luo Youzhu himself took to the front lines, participating in various small farmer markets for direct communication with consumers. “I often tell consumers that a dozen eggs costing several dollars may seem expensive, but there’s much value that you can't see.” Methodically opening up the market, Youzhu Ranch's eggs are now available at fresh produce direct sales points and organic stores throughout Hsinchu County. “When times are tough, I reflect on the reasons I persevered—wasn't it the joy of finding the first egg?” Amidst each egg, Luo Youzhu finds his sense of purpose and strives to share this simple joy with more people.
