How To Run Profitable Poultry Farm
Poultry farming is one of the most profitable agribusiness ventures many aspiring entrepreneurs venture into and at the same time one of the most risky businesses, you can think of. Why? It is very easy to start the business.
You can start with two pullets and a cock at your backyard, with just small amount of money as capital.
It is also for the same reasons that many rush into the business unprepared, without learning the ropes of the business.
In such a case, the result is obvious, you rush in and you rush out. But to avoid had I known, follow me in this discourse as I provide you with necessary information and guidance for successful poultry farming.
It is advisable for the beginner to go for training in poultry management.
The cost of dabbling into the business as many do because of the perceived notion that it is lucrative is very high, leading many to fold unexpectedly.
A beginner should learn about what made others to fold in order to avoid such mistakes.
Facts About Poultry
Poultry is a group of birds reared or hunted for a useful purpose. By birds, we mean chickens, turkey, goose, ducks and others reared under man’s care.
Poultry is mainly produced for food. The eggs are eaten in large quantities and are used for vaccines and cosmetics while the feathers are used for making pillows and ornaments. Poultry is produced either for egg or for meat.
There are two types of birds, local and exotic (imported). The local ones lack uniformity in all respects.
The feathers and eggs varied in colours while the exotic ones are uniform and can be classified under observable characteristics.
The young of both male and female chickens are called chicks; the young male or rooster, cockerel; adult female, hen; young female, pullets and adult males, cock. For turkey, the young one is called poult; adult male, tom; and adult female, hen.
Poultry farming is a very lucrative business if well managed and as well risky if run under unacceptable and unfavourable conditions to the birds.
The essence of any business is to make profit and where it fails to operate profitably, there would be no need to continue with such a business.
Chickens
Capital
The capital available determines the size and success of the poultry business.
However, a small farmer can start with about 500 day-old chicks for the production of eggs and selling them off when they get old.
The farmer has to nurture the birds for a period of 4 – 5 months after which they begin to lay eggs. Suppose one starts with 500 chicks, and he is lucky that they all survive; he could get about 400 eggs daily. They would be laying eggs for about 74 weeks after which they are due to be sold.
Technical Knowledge
As stated earlier, technical knowledge is very essential for a successful venture. Without it, the farmer needs an expert in the field to assist him. Engage the services of a consultant where necessary.
Relying solely on your own knowledge and skills may bring disastrous consequences. Go for trainings, attend seminars in your own field and associate with other farmers.
Housing and Feeding
There are two basic methods of housing, the deep litter system and battery cage system. For the deep litter system, the pullets are kept on bare floor on which sawdust had been spread. Care should be given to the feeding and drinking of the birds.
The sawdust could be removed with the droppings or the droppings are covered with fresh sawdust. The day old is usually housed using broader method before they grow up.
On the other hand, the battery cage system allows the droppings to fall in another platform under the cage. It is specially constructed to cater for their feeding and drinking trough.
The housing should ensure that environmental problems are under control. There should be standard spacing for the different bird’s categories. Good ventilation should be provided for to avoid suffocation.
To ensure adequate egg production, the birds should be given properly compounded marsh. Unless birds are fed well they won’t be able to produce maximally meat and eggs. The birds should be fed with varying quantities of feed at different stages.
They should be fed with appropriate feed such chick marsh, growers marsh and layers marsh and must be sufficiently rich in nutrients to be healthy and produce optimally.
Equipment
There are different types of equipment from simple to sophisticated ones such as feeders, nest boxes, crates, brooders, graders and de-breakers. Ensure that whatever feeding used should be clean and easy to feed and avoid waste. The birds must not roost on the feed.
Diseases
The success or failure of poultry business depends on the way hygiene is maintained there.
The source of the stock must be checked to ensure the necessary drugs are not poorly administered. A poultry farmer should know how to prevent, detect, control and treat diseases. He should know that prevention is better than cure. A beginner must seek expert advice. If the vaccination timetable is not followed when the birds are hatched, it could pose serious danger to the farmer who buys them. To get the best result engage the services of a qualified veterinary doctor.
Security
The poultry farm must be well-secured to ward off predators such as rats, snakes, soldier ants, and wild birds such as kites and hawks.
To avoid diseases that could lead to epidemics visitors must be restricted from going into the farm. Also, there should be routine checks on farm workers to forestall stealing of chickens and eggs.
Costs
Keep costs within the budget to make profit. Input costs such as labour and feed should not be more than the farm requires.
All unnecessary expenses should be ignored. Not disposing of the birds at the appropriate time could raise your expenses thereby lessening profitability. Keep accurate records of your expensis. That would help you to determine whether you are making profit or not. When your expenses surpass your income, then you know that you are not in business.
Marketing
It is absolutely wrong to start poultry business without first finding out where to sell, how to sell, and to whom to sell the birds, feathers and the droppings. There must be market for your products, if not, do not produce.
Viability
There is a wide market for poultry products nationwide. Nigeria still imports eggs and frozen chickens. All parts of the birds are marketable.
Turkey
Turkey farming, is another lucrative agribusiness. The beauty of this business is that you can do it anywhere – your house, your back yard, that open space where you live.
Wherever you are, whether in the village or in the city, you can make a lot of money from turkey farming. It is one of the cheapest and simplest businesses you can start in the cities or right from your home.
Housing
You can use the cage system to breed your turkey, rear it free range, a room in your house, balcony, and boys’ quarter.
Feeding
You can use natural feeding method or feeds.
Market
Turkey is eaten all over Nigeria throughout the year but is in higher demand during festive periods such as Christmas or December period, Easter and other festivals. Many people use it as gifts throughout the ember months.
It can be sold live, frozen or grilled. You can sell it to frozen foods shops, shopping malls, supermarkets, or local markets. It can be sold in parts or whole.
High Profit
You can buy turkey chick for about N2,000 or less depending on how many weeks old. And in six months you would be offloading them to the market at the rate of N10,000 and 15,000 from each.
Suppose you started with about 15 chicks (N30,000), by six months, you would be making close to N225,000. Turkeys are hot cakes at festive periods such as Christmas, Easter, and end year. Apart from individual family consumption, they are used as individual and corporate gifts. Shrewd entrepreneurs target high production during these periods.
You will agree with me that it is good business. It has the lowest death rate among the birds family.
You can use the eggs for breakfast, for sales or you can use them to feed the turkey. Launch into the business and prosper. See you at the top.
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