Faculty of Animal Science (FAS) UGM accompanies students from the Is Aswaja Lintang Songo Islamic Boarding School, Piyungan, Bantul, to breed Ayam Bahagia, which is the concept of laying hens that emphasizes animal welfare. Assistance has been carried out by the Laboratory of Nutritional Biochemistry, FAS UGM since August 2020 and include independent feed making, management of laying hens, and sales.
“Of course, the layer farm must be able to be managed by paying attention to the rules of animal welfare. More than that, breeders need to pay attention to the environment. Good management in terms of feed and waste can reduce environmental pollution. In addition, livestock can also be run efficiently so as to increase farmers’ profits,” said Prof. Dr. Ir. Lies Mira Yusiati, SU., IPU., ASEAN. Eng, when visiting Is Aswaja Lintang Songo, Thursday (6/8).
A total of 100 laying hens that are raised in the boarding school are assistance from PT. Widodo Makmur Poultry (WMU) and the Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI) branch of the Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY).
Prof. Dr. Ir. Ali Agus, DAA., DEA., IPU., ASEAN. Eng, as the head of the DIY branch of HKTI and the Dean of the Faculty of Animal Science UGM, explained that the cultivation of layer chickens produces animal protein for the community at an affordable price.
“In addition, the cultivation of laying hens with the concept of Ayam Bahagia can reduce stress in chickens and improve egg quality, especially protein,” said Ali.
The boarding school administrator, Drs. H. Heri Kuswanto, M.Sc., gave his appreciation for this Ayam Bahagia program. He said that apart from religious knowledge, agriculture and livestock were the main programs for the development of the boarding school. It is hoped that increased knowledge and skills in managing livestock can equip the students when they start living in the community.
Apart from the Is Aswaja Lintang Songo Islamic Boarding School, assistance in the cultivation of laying hens will also be carried out at the Islamic Boarding Schools Irsyadul Anam, Kiyudan, Selomartani, Kalasan and Paguyuban Ibu Dasawisma Dewi Sari in Buyutan, Gadingsari, Sanden, Bantul.
Empowerment of laying hens for the community has great potential to increase the welfare of the community through economic improvements that are felt every day. In addition, this program can increase the consumption of animal protein in society.