Foods in the meat, poultry and fish groups are diverse, but have one important thing in common, namely protein. The amount and quality of protein in these foods varies. Animal foods contain high-quality or complete protein, which means they provide all the amino acids your body needs to build the proteins it uses to support bodily functions.
In addition to protein, foods from this group provide other important nutrients in varying amounts, including iron, zinc, magnesium, vitamin E, and B vitamins (thiamine, niacin, and vitamins B6 and B12). On the downside, some foods in this group contain more fat, saturated fat, and less cholesterol.
Physical Characteristics of Healthy Village Chickens
It cannot be denied that the method of raising free-range chickens has quite a big influence on the quality of the free-range chickens produced. A good way to raise free-range chickens is to fulfill various aspects such as feed quality, sanitation, housing, prevention of various diseases, and so on. The following are some physical characteristics of healthy and quality free-range chickens.
1. Cockcomb
Healthy free-range chickens have combs that are bright red, erect, and not drooping or pale in color. Apart from the comb, healthy free-range chicken wattles are generally bright coloured and do not have any greenish or bluish spots.
2. Head
Apart from being able to see the comb, free-range chickens that produce healthy chickens can be seen from the condition of their heads. The head and neck of a healthy free-range chicken are always perfectly upright. It is said to be perfectly upright if the chicken's head and neck are not hidden behind the chicken's wings or appear to be convulsing.
3. Eyes
The eyes of healthy free-range chickens will look fully round, clear, and there will be no lumps or scabs around the eye area. Apart from that, healthy eyes will not look white or red and when the chicken's neck is held (as long as it is not held too hard), the eyes will not close.
4. Chicken Feathers
Keeping healthy free-range chickens will produce free-range chickens with thick, neat feathers and no shedding here and there. However, chicken feathers cannot be used as a benchmark for whether the chicken is healthy or not, because chicken feathers that do not look good can occur due to poor feed factors even though the chicken is healthy.
Healthy free-range chickens like to gather and do activities with other chickens (don't like being alone) and show strange behavior such as pecking in the coop. Not only that, healthy free-range chickens can also be seen from their behavior when they are fed. Village chickens that are not healthy usually just scratch at the food under their feet and appear to be picky about food and prefer to look for food with smaller and finer grains than large food.
Recognize the characteristics of healthy ducks
Shopping at the market and finding a duck meat seller? Maybe you want to try processing it at home. However, there is one important thing you must pay attention to when you want to buy duck meat, namely, how to choose good and fresh duck.
When choosing duck meat, according to Great British Chefs, these are the things you need to ensure.
1. Look for ducks that have supple skin, plump breasts, and still flexible beaks.
A good and fresh duck is one that has just been slaughtered and must be consumed within three days of slaughter.
2. If you want to buy a whole duck, you should choose one that is not displayed by hanging for too long because it can cause the meat to rot and the fat to smell.
3. Make sure to hold and see that the skin is still white, not gray or bluish.
4. If you want to buy frozen duck meat, choose the one with white skin, and immediately put it back in the freezer if you don't want to process it immediately.
It should also be noted that when it has been removed from the freezer for processing and has completely melted at room temperature, do not put or store it again in the refrigerator or freezer. It's best to do everything immediately.
How to prevent cows from getting stressed
Cows are animals that are easily stressed. The triggers for stress in cows can vary. Some of these are hot air temperatures, cows not getting enough sleep, and poor treatment from humans. In fact, if the cage is not cleaned, the cow can become stressed because it smells of its own feces.
A ranch is a livestock model that consists of pasture and a pen, so the cows that are kept will be released into the pasture in the morning and afternoon and will be put into the pen in the afternoon and evening. Meanwhile, the Pastural Cattle Raising System is a livestock model that only consists of pasture. The cows will be left alone in nature all day and night, even throughout the season.
This Pastural Cattle Raising System model requires large pastures that have been planted with grass and plants that contain high nutrients and can be consumed by cows. They focus more on developing livestock than growing crops. However, farmers and ranchers still have to protect their pastoral gardens so that they are not damaged by cows.
Typically, this Pastural Cow Rearing System is applied to breeding cattle systems that require large, soft land covered with green grass which contains lots of nutrients so that pregnant mothers can eat more and meet the nutritional needs of themselves and the calves in their wombs. These cows will usually be bred by natural mating.
In order for breeders to be successful in raising livestock using a pastoral housing model, of course they must carry out good maintenance so that the grass and plants planted there are not damaged either by cows or by pests and parasites. Farmers and ranchers must also ensure that the grass remains green and fresh so that their cows maintain their appetite because only then can their cows grow and develop.
To meet the needs of minerals and vitamins, usually breeders will provide containers hanging in certain places that contain minerals and vitamins, for example water, salt, or Urea Mineral Blocks (UMB) hanging from trees around pastures.
These cows will be allowed to roam freely in nature in accordance with their nature as animals. Cows are penned only when they want to give birth and have just been born. The rest of their life is spent in the wild. Therefore, farmers must really ensure that the grass growing there is not poisonous and has the potential to harm their livestock.
Characteristics of Fresh Fish
If we eat fish that is not fresh, it could have an impact that is not good for our health. Moreover, fish that is not fresh is prone to becoming a place for bacterial growth, which can cause health problems, such as poisoning.
Differentiating between fresh and non-fresh fish can actually be seen from the shape of the fish. So, what are the characteristics of fresh fish?
1. Fish eyes are clear and bright
Fresh fish eyes tend to have a clear and bright appearance, and are more prominent. On the other hand, fish that are not fresh have eyes that tend to be cloudy, red, and the eyes are sunken inward.
2. Elastic fish flesh
Fresh fish will have chewy or elastic flesh. You can find out by pressing the fish's body inward. If the fish flesh returns to its original shape, then the fish is still fresh.
Meanwhile, for fish that is not fresh, the flesh will tend to be softer or softer and have a dull color.
3. Gills are red
Make sure to look at the gills before you choose a fish. If you see the gills are red and have a wet texture, then you can choose that fish. The redder the gills, the fresher the fish.
4. No strange smell
Fresh fish will not emit a strange smell, let alone a strong fishy smell. Fresh fish only emits a light smell typical of fish that has just come out of the sea and will not disturb your sense of smell.
5. Scales stick together
Another characteristic of fresh fish is that the fish scales will stick tightly to the skin. In contrast to non-fresh fish, the scales tend to come off easily, even falling off by themselves.
6. Have clear mucus
You also need to know that fish mucus can also be a sign of fresh fish. If the fish's body still has clear mucus, then the fish is still suitable for consumption.
However, if you find dull, brownish mucus on the gills, then you should not choose that fish because it is no longer healthy to eat. This is a sign that the fish is no longer fresh.
7. Drowning in water
Not only from the physical appearance, you can check the freshness of the fish by placing it in a bucket full of water. If the fish sinks, then the fish is still fresh. Unlike non-fresh fish, it will tend to float on the surface of the water.