Micronesia Land Grant Program

Good things are happening!

Yap Extension

Backyard chicken farming in Yap

COLONIA, YAP, FSM. Steven Young-Uhk, CRE Coordinator, Yap Cooperative Research and Extension.

There is a growing trend in Yap for backyard chicken farming. More and more households in Yap are doing backyard poultry farming using imported breeds and combination of local feed materials and commercial feed to produce eggs for consumption and selling the surplus for extra income. Through one-on-one intervention and farm visits, Yap CES has been providing technical assistance and advice on a wide range of poultry topics including type of breeds, importation and quarantine requirements, brooding and caring for chicks, feeding, watering, and general health care.

A recent extension survey on backyard chicken farmers in Yap revealed that these households are raising from 4 to 21 chickens per family (average of 11 chickens) and producing 3-19 eggs per day. Some families sell their eggs at a price range of $3.75 to $4.25 per dozen and/or $0.40 to 0.50 per fresh or boiled egg. The chicken coop designs are simple using a variety of low-cost materials such as bamboo, wire, or plastic fencing, thatch or old roofing tin for the roof, and dry litter materials for the flooring.

Raising chickens in the backyard offer many advantages to the households. This include: i) Hens will provide the family a steady supply of fresh healthy eggs, considerably healthier than their store bought counterparts, ii) Surplus eggs may be sold for extra family income, iii) Children can learn a lot from raising chickens and many people keep chickens as pets. Additionally chicken manure and bedding materials are good for the family garden.

A type of simple housing for the chickens.
A type of simple housing for the chickens.
Imported breed of chickens that families in Yap are raising for eggs.
Imported breed of chickens that families in Yap are raising for eggs.
Collecting fresh eggs for the family.
Collecting fresh eggs for the family.

 

 

 

Yap Extension speaks at St. Mary’s on a variety of topics

COLONIA, YAP, FSM, Martin Ruwniyol, 4-H Extension Agent, Yap Cooperative Extension Services.

4-H Extension Agent, Martin Ruwniyol in the classroom giving a lecture on nutrition.
4-H Extension Agent, Martin Ruwniyol in the classroom giving a lecture on nutrition.

Yap CES 4-H Program conducted a Guest Speaker Program at St. Mary’s School from January to May 2013 in collaboration with Public Health, Yap State EPA, Youth Services Office and Our YAP, a youth organization. This extension activity falls under Planned Program - Families, Youths and Communities - and Knowledge Areas Human Development and Family Well-being (KA802) and Youth Development (KA806). Thirty-seven 8th graders attended and completed this program in which they were able to learn various topics on good nutrition and health. Class sessions comprised of lectures, group discussions and tests to assess student learning outcomes. Collaborating agencies gave lectures on food sanitation, water quality, food safety, personal hygiene etc. The 4-H agent was also the guest speaker during the graduation ceremony held on May 31, 2013 during which certificates of completion and special awards were given to the program participants. Beginning next academic year, Yap CES is planning to extend the Guest Speaker Program to other elementary schools in Yap as part of the youth extension program. Yap CES wishes to thank the Principal Timothy Moon, 8th Grade teacher Louisa Ilyaw and collaborating agencies for their assistance in this program.

 

4-H Extension Agent, Martin Ruwniyol during the 2013 St. Mary’s Graduation Ceremony as a Special Guest Speaker and also to give out awards of completion to students.
4-H Extension Agent, Martin Ruwniyol during the 2013 St. Mary’s Graduation Ceremony as a Special Guest Speaker and also to give out awards of completion to students.