It is highly recommended for retirees and individuals who are passionate about livestock farming to start Poultry farming farm business. Formerly, so many citizens were non-challant about breeding poultry birds or cultivating crops for profits because they thought that the business is for villagers only. However, with the current universal burst in population and a global demand for food with complete nutrients, people has started to become conscious the potential of providing the most important basic need of man which is food.
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This is one basic truth… Poultry (chicken) farming business is a profitable business anytime any day; and to be honest with you my wonderful readers, it’s a business even politicians have been considering for some time now (Obasanjo Ota farm is a practical example).
Written underneath are some reasons why poultry (chicken) farming a profitable business which every interested persons should engage in
A guide for starting catfish farming business in Nigeria and become successful
Factors that makes Poultry Farming a Profitable Business in Nigeria
Please note that there are several factors that make a poultry farming business a profitable business but only three major factors will be highlighted:
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1. Foodstuff is one of the mendasar requirements of living being in spite of the economic circumstances, human beings must feed to nourish their bodies and since domestic birds are consumable; that makes poultry farming practicable.
2. A country like Nigeria for example has a population of over 150million people and still growing; this is to say; that a massive population means a massive demand for food (egg and meat).
3. In the midst of the increased awareness on the health implications of red meat; there’s an increased demand for white meat and birds are a source of white meat (chicken for example).
Note this; since I have been using Nigeria as a case study in this article, most readers will think it’s for Nigerians alone, but no because these information shared in this article is applicable to any surrounding area (vicinity, locality, district, neighborhood, and environs); be it in the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, , Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Malaysia, China, India, etc. It wouldn’t be so nice to keep telling stories and waste your time, below is a Step By Step Guide On How To Start Your Own Poultry Farming Business.
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How to Start a Poultry Farming Business – Sample Business Plan Template
1. Choose Your Poultry Business Market Type
The poultry industry is a broad market. There are many sub-sectors in the poultry industry which any intending poultry farmer can tap into. Written below are some business types in poultry business:
· Egg production (Layers breeding)
· Meat production (Broilers breeding)
· Chicken breeding (Hatchery)
· Poultry feed production
· Poultry equipment manufacturing
· Egg and meat processing, packaging and marketing
2. What Type Of Poultry Bird Will You Be Focusing On?
Poultry farming business can additionally be classified into the types of birds:
· Domestic fowl or Chicken (Broilers and layers)
· Turkey
· Guinea fowl
· Pigeon
· Duck
· Goose
· Peacock
· Quail
But for this article, I will be focusing on poultry breeding for egg and meat purposes with respect to the domestic fowl.
3. Start-Up Capital Investment
The poultry farming business is capital intensive; depending on the scale, location of your farm and the type of management technology used. A small scale poultry farm being run behind your house may require a capital of between $600 – $1,600. A medium scale poultry farm may require $2,100 – $6,000 and a large scale poultry farm may require a start-up capital of $10,000 and above. Like I stated earlier, scale is directly proportional to capital.
4. Poultry Location
A good location is vital to the success and profitability of your poultry farm. An ideal poultry farm should be sited where there’s a large availability of cheap land and at the same time; should be close to areas with high population density. It’s not advisable to site your poultry farm within a residential area because of the offensive odor it produces.
5. Housing Your Birds
There are three methods you can employ with respect to housing your birds. They are:
Extensive system: Range and fold unit
Semi Intensive system: Standard semi intensive unit and straw yard
Intensive system: i. Deep litter, ii. Wire and slated floor, iii. Straw yard, iv. Battery cage.
If you are running a poultry farm for commercial purposes and you intend getting the best out of the business; with respect to high birds’ productivity and efficiency. Then you should consider housing your birds using the intensive system. Note that each of the three housing system has its own advantages and disadvantages. Lastly, your poultry housing structure should be built at a particular angle; taking sunlight and wind into consideration.
6. Poultry Equipment And Appliances
The following equipment may be needed for your poultry farm and their uses:
· Feeders
· Drinkers
· Perches
· Nests
· Crates
· Lighting system
· Waste disposal system
· Incubator
· Heaters or brooders
· Egg tray
· Cages and coops
7. Projected Return On Investment
The incubation period of the domestic fowl is 21 days. You can start selling off your birds as early as 8 – 12 weeks but full maturity is reached between 20 – 24 weeks. The payback period of a poultry farming business is between 3 – 5 years.
8. Poultry Farm Staffing And Manpower
Operating a poultry farm is not labor intensive if the use of technology is employed. With respect to staffing, the number of manpower needed is also dependent on the size of your farm. But some must haves should be admin officer or manager; who will oversee the day to day running of your business. Your manager can also double as your accountant to cut down cost.
It is also advisable you have personnel who will reside permanently in the farm to monitor and see to the well being of your birds. You will also need security personnel that will monitor the inflow and outflow of people around your farm; and most importantly, guard against theft. Aside these few mentioned, you can add more personnel to suit your business needs.
Five Challenges of Starting a Poultry Farming Business
Poultry farming business is one of the most important and profitable aspect of livestock farming business especially in Nigeria. But like every other business, there are risks and challenges involved. Do you intend venturing into poultry farming but you would like to know the risks and challenges that you will be facing? Then i advice you read on.
Challenges of Starting a Poultry Farming Business
Poultry farming has a longer pay back period
It is Labor intensive
Pests and predators can cause massive loss
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LACK OF SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT
Taking a close look at Nigeria today, you will attest to the fact that the government shows little or no interest in livestock farming; let alone poultry farming. The government is more interested in the oil sector thereby not showing concern to poultry farming and this brings discouragement to the poultry farmers. Even the assumed agricultural loan the government provided cannot be accessed because of the stringent conditions attached. The only visible effort of the government is the recent ban on the importation of live or frozen poultry birds. So if you are interested in starting a poultry farming business, then you must be prepared to go it alone without looking to the government for help.
HIGH START-UP CAPITAL
Poultry farming needs sufficient and proper funding. This is because you cannot do well as a livestock farmer, especially poultry farming when you don’t have enough fund. Without proper funding, you will struggle to keep your business afloat but with enough capital; business is made easier. So it is advisable that you do your financial analysis very well and ensure you have access to cash because nothing kills a business faster than lack of money.
OUTBREAK OF DISEASES
If you have a dirty environment, disease and infection is inevitable. Birds like chicken are very sensitive to environmental changes. If the poultry environment is not properly taken care of, the chickens will be exposed to diseases like bacterial infection. So as a poultry farmer , you must ensure that the poultry environment is kept clean and disinfected. You must avoid bringing in contaminated equipment, vehicle, and foot wears. Also, visitors should not be allowed into the poultry environment and ensure that you sterilize your hands before touching the birds.
NON AVAILABILITY AND AFFORDABILITY OF VACCINES
In the agro-allied industry, especially poultry farming; this particular challenge affects the small scale poultry farmers more because; unlike the industrial or commercial poultry farmers who can afford the vaccines, the small scale poultry farmers can’t afford the vaccines.
ADULTERATION AND HIGH COST OF POULTRY FOOD
The cost of poultry food is quite costly and birds consume a lot. So most poultry farmers economize or ration the food given to the birds and this affects the output. Also, adulterated poultry food flooding the market is another challenge for poultry entrepreneurs. This is because the adulteration utters the necessary nutrients the birds need in order to grow well, thus making them unhealthy and reduces their immunity to diseases.
In summary, i believe you have gotten a clue on the challenges you should expect as a poultry farmer and the best solutions to them. So start now by creating a counter-strategy to tackle these challenges and success will be yours.
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