Vytautas Gliožeris, the only breeder of broiler chickens in the Klaipėda region, has no plans to expand his farm, but he has no doubts that people who care about healthy nutrition will continue to look for high-quality meat grown with natural feed in the future. The young farmer does not regret his choice, although he has to work a lot and has little time for entertainment. “I am my own boss. The amount I earn is enough for my needs,” smiled the farmer.
He returned to his homeland to farm
In the village of Gribžiniai, two Vytautas Gliožerias take care of the family farm: the elder raises pigs, and the son raises broiler chickens, they help each other. It is no secret that his father trained young Vytautas to work on the earth from an early age. “For 7 years, I have been sitting on the tractor next to him when he plowed the field,” smiled the young farmer. “When I was a child, I taught my son how to drive a nail, when he grew up he helped me in building a barn, later on the farm,” remarked the elder Vytautas, who created the family farm.
Thus, when young Vytautas turned 25, it was not difficult to decide to register his farm. “I worked at a car service in the port city, and when I got a vacation, I helped my father, who raised pigs, during the working year. But when the crisis started, there was no more work and no more pay. He offered me to work together and I agreed,” revealed V. Gliožeris.
He was not attracted to emigrating – after visiting his older brother in London, he realized that he did not like the hustle and bustle of the big city – he valued peace more. “I’ve lived in Klaipėda, Gargždai, but I feel best in the countryside,” admitted the young farmer.
Growing up in the village of Gribžiniai, he built himself a spacious house next to his parents’ homestead.
A fateful birthday present
V. Gliožeris registered the farm of the young farmer 13 years ago, he received European support for establishment. At first he grew crops. The idea of poultry farming came to me when my father gave me 50 chickens for my birthday. “Our family has always raised birds for their own needs, and this work was not new to me,” said Vytautas. – I raised them, after selling them I got money, and I thought why not raise chickens, especially since there is nothing to do in the winter after finishing the work in the fields.” V. Gliožeris, who raises pigs, transferred part of the barn to his son, where he housed broiler chickens.
Vytautas, the owner of the mixed farm, has been cultivating a poultry farm for 11 years. At first, they also kept laying hens, but now they only declare a few hundred broiler chickens. “In the beginning, there was a lack of knowledge, but there was nothing to ask – you had to find out yourself through various experiences and through losses. Everything happened – it used to be that you don’t want anything anymore, but you rest and work again, – said the farmer, the only breeder of broiler chickens in the area. – There are huge veterinary requirements, a lot of manual work – I divide the feed by hand, only the watering is automated. I start work at 5 o’clock. in the morning, there is little free time. Well, it’s even more difficult for other farmers, but it’s our choice.”
6 years ago, V. Gliožeris installed a slaughterhouse that meets veterinary requirements. It was not cheap – with that money you could have bought an apartment in Gargždai. However, it is a necessary object in a poultry farm. And this led to the fact that young V. Gliožeris became the winner in the “Farm of the Year 2017” contest.
The taste and smell are different
At the Gribžiniškis farm, broiler chickens grow up in 70 days, and in large poultry farms – in 45 days. Chicken grown in these areas differs from domestic chicken in terms of taste, smell, and muscle strength.
The chickens raised by V. Gliožeris have plenty of space and adequate ventilation in the barn. He feeds with fodder grown on his farm, does not take medication. “Chickens reared for longer have higher costs, so their meat is more expensive than intensively reared in poultry farms,” said the farmer. – I offer buyers broilers grown up to 3 kg. In recent years, the price of chicken has jumped to 5.5 euros per kilogram.”
V. Gliožeris sells fresh chilled chicken, which can be bought at the Gargžda market, at the “Grown in Lithuania” kiosk, in Klaipėda markets, Palanga. On the weekend, he is the only one selling the carcass of his raised broilers at the Farmers’ Market located near the Acropolis. “Buyers of all ages buy, but mostly middle-aged. These are people who care about healthy eating,” the farmer noted. They also find their way to V. Gliožeris farm in Gribžiniai, but he suggests visiting the Farmers Market more often on weekends. Buyers change, new ones appear, there are permanent ones, because after tasting homemade chicken, you no longer want to eat chicken grown in industrial poultry farms. By the way, most chicken is bought before Christmas, and less before New Year’s, and before Easter.
V. Gliožeris plans to participate in the direct food supply chain – to supply high-quality chicken to children’s educational institutions participating in the healthy food program.
Virginia LAPIENĖ
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– 2024-04-01 00:22:38
