Central Java DPRD Speaker Urges Karanganyar Residents to Rear Native Chickens

“A native chicken can produce 60 to 100 eggs a year. Its meat has a savoury flavour and is popular in the local market. It is suitable for micro, small and medium-sized businesses,” he said in a written statement on Friday (23 October 2026).

He made the remarks during the distribution of business capital to Joint Business Group (KUBE) members at Jatiyoso Village Hall, Jatiyoso sub-district, on Tuesday (20 October). Six chicken-farming groups from several nearby villages each received Rp20 million in business capital.

Sumanto said native chickens could be kept in simple, practical coops, with one rooster for every ten hens.

“Protect them from predators such as rats and monitor lizards,” he said.

Sumanto added that, to avoid capital constraints, business groups should consider how to reduce the costs of raising native chickens.

“The focus should not be on capital, but on the system. For example, if you raise native chickens using only commercial feed, you will quickly spend a lot of money,” he said.

He said farmers should therefore develop alternative feed strategies and avoid relying entirely on commercial feed.

“If you want to make a profit, don’t buy feed; grow maize,” he said.

Sumanto said an adult native chicken consumed 200 grams of maize a day. Farmers with spare land could use it to grow maize as an alternative source of feed.

“For the chickens’ health, give them kuteja—turmeric, Java ginger and ginger—twice a week to prevent Newcastle disease, also known locally as tetelo or pileren,” Sumanto added.

Meanwhile, Sartono, chair of Commission C of the Karanganyar Regency DPRD, conveyed the concerns of local residents. He said he hoped the KUBE funding would provide small farmers with capital to raise native laying hens.

“Feed prices keep rising, while broiler egg prices have fallen. Raising native laying hens is an alternative that could keep small farmers from the brink of bankruptcy. Please take up their cause,” he said.

Elliya Chariroh, head of the Poor People’s Assistance division at the Central Java Provincial Social Affairs Office, said the business capital could be put to effective use. She hoped that current broiler egg prices would not discourage farmers.