Yozu Farm!! Free-range chickens produce good eggs!! Introduction
Walking into the rural path of Lufengli, Zhudong Township, Hsinchu County, one can see the large sign for "Youzhu Farm" written on the outer wall of the house. The first thing that catches the eye within the farm is a series of tall towers storing soybean feed. Upon closer inspection, one can find five chicken coops scattered around; some are for growing chicks, while others are for laying hens. Numerous chickens can be seen running in the open area next to the coops, and each chicken is a beloved treasure of the farm's second-generation owner, Luo Youzhu. At under 30 years old, Luo Youzhu is a Hakka native of Hsinchu County and has held a deep affection for chickens since his childhood, watching his father, Luo Shilong, raise them. After serving in the military, Luo briefly worked in sales for a year, but the pressure of the job made him realize that watching his father happily and diligently take care of the chickens inspired him to return home to help, starting his chicken-raising journey. Friendly Farming for Happy Laying Hens Originally, the Luo family raised native chickens. One day, a salesman selling eggs visited and mentioned that the market for eggs was good, which sparked Luo Youzhu's ambition to raise laying hens, especially since there were some unused chicken coops at home. "A family that raises chickens wants to try raising different kinds of chickens," Luo Youzhu laughed. Thus, father and son entered the field of egg-laying hens, gradually gaining expertise from their initial unfamiliarity. Now, Youzhu Farm not only raises laying hens but has also become a "happy farm" for the whole family. What makes Youzhu Farm unique is its use of pasture-raised methods for the lay hens, whereas typically this "free-range" treatment is reserved for meat chickens. "Why should laying hens be confined in cages to lay eggs day and night? It doesn't feel right to see that," believes Luo Youzhu, who has always treated chickens as companions. He asserts that treating chickens kindly leads them to produce good eggs. Although this free-range method may seem economically inefficient, Luo Youzhu adheres to the principle of "taking in a humane way," treating the hens humanely. The egg collection system at Youzhu Farm uses an automatic egg collection design, ensuring the eggs don't fall and reducing contamination without washing them. But how do they train the chickens, which are used to roaming freely, to lay eggs in their designated egg boxes? Well, when preparing to lay eggs, hens will crouch and stay still, at which point they can be carried to the boxes to get used to laying eggs there. Training such a large number of chickens can take one to two months, involving daily repetitive actions from morning until night, which is undoubtedly a tough period. Homemade!! Non-toxic Healthy Feed For the chickens to have fun, it’s essential to provide them with non-toxic and healthy food. Entering the feed storage room at Youzhu Farm reveals various raw materials stacked up, with employees weighing each ingredient and mixing them appropriately before sending it to the coops for the chickens to feast on. Starting from his father, Luo Shilong, who researched feed formulation, Luo Youzhu continued to adjust it after taking over, changing the formula over thirty times, studying how different ingredients affect eggshell thickness or yolk color. "It's just like how people cook rice and dishes; rice is the staple," Luo Youzhu mentioned. The farm's feed is primarily grain-based, supplemented with trace elements, seaweed, and probiotics. Each batch of feed requires time to mix the right proportions. Luo Youzhu believes this is like a mother cooking at home; it may be hard work, but knowing what ingredients are used and where they come from is clear. By not adding synthetic chemical components and being meticulous about feed, Youzhu Farm's eggs are more natural and non-toxic, gaining recognition from numerous customers amidst ongoing food safety issues. Stepping Forward!! Facing Marketing Challenges When Luo Youzhu started transitioning from native chickens to laying hens, he not only lost his original customers, but many people he approached at egg retailers thought he was just playing around and doubted how long he could persist. By chance, he encountered the "Animal Society of Taiwan," an organization emphasizing humane farming practices. Their introduction helped make many organic shops aware of Youzhu Farm's non-toxic eggs, successfully addressing some market issues. Additionally, Luo Youzhu personally went to the front line, participating in many small farmer markets and communicating face-to-face with consumers. "I often tell customers that while a dozen eggs may seem expensive, there are many values that are not visible," he shared. Step by step, he has firmly opened up the market, currently including direct sales stations for young farmers in Hsinchu County and organic shops where Youzhu eggs are available. "When times are tough, I reflect on the reasons for my persistence—wasn't it the joy of finding that first egg?" In each egg, Luo Youzhu finds his purpose and strives to share this simple happiness with more people.
