01/11/2020
POULTRY FARMING FOR BEGINNERS(GUIDE)
Following a poultry farming for beginners guide will help you a lot for setting up
your new poultry farming business. As poultry farming has already proven to be a
lucrative business, so you may be willing to start a farm for your new source of
income.
In broad, poultry farming means raising various types of domestic birds
commercially for the purpose of meat, eggs and feather production. But here we
are describing poultry farming for beginners guide about chickens.
Chicken’s products are among the major source of animal protein, aside from beef, pork
and fish. And chickens are already an integral part of human life. Small scale
poultry production fulfill the animal nutrition demand for a family. But large
scale or commercial basis poultry farming offer an opportunity for the people to
earn big amount of money. That’s why there are many poultry farms out there.
Poultry farming is a suitable business for the people who are passionate about
livestock farming, keeping birds and who are comfortable with farm life. Poultry
farming is a highly profitable business if you can run it properly under
acceptable methods and conditions conducive for the birds. Actually each type
of farming business follows specific operational principles for making good
profit. And when such principles are ignored by the farm management system,
it results in serious loses. So before starting, it is wise to learn more about the
business. Take some time and try to understand why most of the poultry
farmers make good profits and some of them fail. Some of the farmers,
especially beginners have been forced out of the business when they could not
operate it properly and thus lose money. Successful poultry farming business is
involved with lot of works and it’s easy at the same time. But it’s not a lazy
man’s business. You have to do everything timely and perfectly according to a
plan. However, here we are trying to discuss details about poultry farming for
beginners.
*How to Start the Business
Follow the step by step process for starting your new poultry farming business.
Starting a poultry farming business is easy and involved with lots of regular
work at the same time. Here we are tying to include all details you will need for
the business.
(1)Have Your Investment (capital)Ready
Poultry farming requires investment. You can arrange the money by your own
or you can apply for bank loan. Both govt. and non-govt. bank loans are
available for starting poultry farming business. You should contact your desired
bank for the loan process. As a beginner, you should start with a minimum
number of birds which will cost you pretty less money.
(2)Production Type
First of all determine the production type of your poultry farm. You can raise
broiler chickens for meat production purpose and choose layers if you want to
produce eggs commercially. You can also start your poultry farm for selling
poultry products and breeding stocks directly to your local customers.
Determine your production purpose, select proper poultry breeds according to
your desired production.
(3)Set Farm Location
Selecting a good farm location for your business is very important. You should
select such a location which has all required facilities and favorable for your
business. It can be slightly far from the town, where land and labor is pretty
cheap. But don’t setup the farm too far from the town. Because most of the
towns have high density population, and you have to target that market. Also
try to avoid setting up the farm in residential areas, because poultry farms
produce offensive odour,and if you have to,make sure is on a small scale,and put measures in place to control excessive odours,While selecting the farm location, consider
transportation system and medication facilities also.
(4)Construct Pen House
After selecting farm location, construct a good house for your birds. Ensure all
required facilities are available in the new house. There are three types of
poultry housing system you can use. Extensive(free range), semi intensive and intensive.
- [x] For commercial production, intensive system is most convenient. You can raise
your birds on the floor(deep liter system) or in cage (battery cage system).
On an average, broiler poultry needs about 1.5 square feet space and layer poultry needs about 2 square feet space. For example, if you want to raise 200 layers then you have to ensure about 400 square feet(20ft x 20 ft )pace is available. About 1.5 - 2 square feet space is required per bird in deep liter system.
Also,Don’t forget to add proper lighting and ventilation system in the house.
(5)Purchase Required Equipment
You need to purchase some equipment for your poultry farm. List of required
equipment are listed below for running a poultry farm successfully.
*feeders
*drinkers
*cages
*crates
*egg tray
*lighting instruments
*brooders or heaters
*ventilation system(fans) optional
(6)Labor or Manpower
Based on the number of birds, you need more or less manpower/labor. As a
beginner, if you start with a minimum number of birds (200-500) then you can
manage your farm by yourself easily. If you plan for raising more birds, then you
will need additional manpower. Ensure cheap labor is available in your selected
area.
(7)Purchasing Chicks/POL
After setting everything up and having everything ready, purchase quality chicks/POL
from trusted breeders and start caring them. Set the brooder ready
before arriving the chicks from hatchery to your farm. As a beginner, it is
wise to start with day old chicks instead of older chicks. If you are a complete
beginner without any prior experience, then you can go for Point-Of-Lay (layers),or 4 weeks broilers,cause the basic vaccines would have being administed by the breeder,and the mortality risk would have being bear.
(8)Feeding
Feeding is the most important part of poultry farming business. After
constructing house and purchasing equipment and chicks/POL,you have to spend a
large amount of money for feeding your birds. About 70% of your total project
expenses will go towards the feeding. And the success in the business also
depends on quality and adequate feeding. You can purchase the feed
ingredients from the market and prepare the feed by yourself(if experienced) or purchase ready-made poultry feeds from the market. Different types of commercial poultry feeds
are available in the market for each type of birds. Please visit your local feed mill/feed stores on various types of feed for different birds.
(9)Health Management
As we have mentioned above, you have to ensure proper medication system in
your area,i.e availability of vet stores & personnels.
Poultry birds are prone to various types of diseases and you have to
be ready for controlling them. We know ‘prevention is better than cure’, so you
have to be conscious and take proper care of your birds to keep them safe.
Vaccinate them timely and accordingly,and always try to provide them fresh water and feed.
Also stock some required vaccine and medicine so that you can use them when
needed.(case of emergency).
(10)Marketing
Good marketing strategies influence the profit from your business. If you can
sell your products in the market easily, then it will encourage you & helps increase your capacity. We always recommend determining market availability in your
area before starting any farming business. Because your business will not be
much profitable if you can’t market your products properly.
Hope this poultry farming for beginners guide will help you to plan for your new
business. Before starting, try to learn more about the business and visit some
farms if possible. Consult with other farmers in your area and start with a
minimum number of birds for the first time. Gather experience and gradually
expand your farm.
We wish you success.
