助牧場!!放養雞生好蛋!! Introduction
Walking into the rural paths of Lu Feng Li, Zhudong Township in Hsinchu County, a large sign of "You Zhu Ranch" is painted on the exterior wall of the house. The first thing that catches the eye in the ranch is a series of tall towers storing soy feed. Upon closer inspection, one can find five chicken coops scattered around. Some of these coops are for raising chicks, while others are for laying hens, and numerous chickens are running in the open space beside the coops, each one being a cherished treasure of the ranch's second-generation owner, Luo You-Zhu. At just under 30 years old, Luo You-Zhu is a native Hakka from Hsinchu County, having watched his father, Luo Shi-Long, raise chickens from a young age, which fostered a deep affection for the birds. After serving in the military, Luo You-Zhu briefly worked in sales for a year. However, the pressures of sales led him to decide to return home to help his father, marking the beginning of his chicken farming journey. Originally, the Luo family raised indigenous chickens, but one day a salesperson selling eggs visited and mentioned that the egg market was quite good, while the family had some idle chicken coops, sparking Luo You-Zhu's ambition to raise laying hens. "A family of chicken farmers always wants to raise every kind of chicken," Luo You-Zhu joked. Thus, he and his father entered the realm of egg production, gradually gaining experience, and now You Zhu Ranch specializes in laying hens, serving as the family's "happy ranch." What makes You Zhu Ranch special is its free-range approach to raising laying hens, as typically, only meat chickens are given such "free-range" treatment. "Why should laying hens be kept in cages day and night for egg production? It’s uncomfortable just to think about it," said Luo You-Zhu, who has seen chickens as companions since childhood. He believes that treating chickens well allows them to produce good eggs. Although the free-range method may seem economically unviable, Luo You-Zhu adheres to the principle of "taking in a rightful way," treating the chickens humanely. The egg collection boxes at You Zhu Ranch are designed for automatic collection, allowing eggs to be collected without touching the ground and avoiding water washing to reduce contamination. But how do they train the chickens, who are used to running around, to consistently lay eggs in their designated nests? Initially, hens tend to squat and stay still when preparing to lay eggs, and this is when they should be picked up and placed in the egg boxes to get used to laying there. Training involves facing thousands of chickens, which can take one to two months, continuously repeating the process from morning until night, making the effort evident. To ensure the chickens play happily, their feed must also be non-toxic and healthy. Entering the feed preparation warehouse of You Zhu Ranch, various ingredients are piled up, and staff weigh each component before mixing them and sending the feed to the chicken coops for the birds to enjoy. Starting with his father Luo Shi-Long experimenting with feed formulations, Luo You-Zhu has continued to adjust the recipes, making over thirty revisions concerning which ingredients affect eggshell thickness and yolk color, requiring thorough research for each aspect. "Just like how humans pair rice with dishes, rice is definitely the staple," according to Luo You-Zhu, whose feed is primarily grain-based, supplemented with trace elements, seaweed, and probiotics. Each batch of feed requires careful ratio calibration. Luo You-Zhu believes this is akin to a mother cooking at home. Although it’s hard work, he knows exactly what ingredients are being sourced and used. By avoiding synthetic chemicals and with great care in their feed, You Zhu Ranch’s eggs have become more natural and non-toxic. Even amidst frequent food safety issues, they continue to receive much customer recognition. Facing marketing challenges, they began transitioning from indigenous to laying hens, initially losing their previous customers. Young Luo You-Zhu found that many egg retailers he visited thought he was merely playing around and doubted his persistence. However, he encountered the "Taiwan Animal Society Research Association," which emphasizes humane animal husbandry. Through their introductions, many organic stores recognized You Zhu Ranch's non-toxic eggs, resolving part of the market access issue. Additionally, Luo You-Zhu ventured to participate in many small farmer markets, directly communicating with consumers. "I often tell consumers that an egg costing over ten dollars may seem expensive, but it embodies a value they can't see." Gradually opening the market, You Zhu Ranch’s eggs can now be purchased at places like Hsinchu County's Young Farmers Direct Sales Station and organic stores. "During the hard times, I remember the reason I persisted was the joy I felt when I collected my first egg," he shared. Within each egg, Luo You-Zhu finds meaning in his existence and strives to share this simple happiness with more people.
