Commercial chicken farming means raising chickens for the purpose of meat, eggs and feathers production. Actually, meat and eggs are the main products of chicken. Raising chickens for their meat and eggs is a traditional business, and people are raising chickens from the ancient time. And today, commercial chicken production has gained much popularity. Because commercial production is very easy and profitable. Chicken products (both eggs and meat) have very good demand and value in the market. Chicken meat and eggs are highly nutritious and the demand for these products is continuously increasing in accordance with world population increase. So, commercial chicken farming will be very profitable for the coming years also.
You can start either in small scale or commercially depending on your budget. Small scale chicken farming is a great way for generating some additional income for marginal farmers. It can also be an income source for the unemployed people.
Chickens are relatively strong and hardy poultry birds and they generally require less caring and require minimal resources compared to other domestic birds. They can be raised in different regions, because they can adapt themselves to different climatic conditions.
Chicken farming is a very important agricultural activity which provides food, income and employment to millions of people throughout the world. However, like other business this business has some challenges also. Proper management and biosecurity measures can help the farmers mitigate these risks. We recommend starting your business in small scale, learn practically and then start large scale production gradually.
Steps for starting commercial chicken farming business
Starting a commercial chicken farming business is relatively easy and simple. You can easily start this business for making money, even if you are a beginner. Although, we recommend learning practically about this business before starting. Start with a few number of birds, learn and expand gradually.
Know local regulations or zoning laws
Try to know the local regulations or zoning laws before starting your chicken farming business. You can’t start this business everywhere. For example, staring this business is not allowed in metro areas. So, before starting your business try to check any local regulations or zoning laws before starting this business.
Gather practical knowledge/experience
Practical knowledge helps a lot for stating and operating a successful chicken farming business. Because you can’t start and operate a business suddenly if you don’t have prior knowledge or experience. You can learn practically about this business by visiting some farms within your area. So, try to visit as many farms as possible in your local area. Also try to complete a chicken farming training. Many government and private organization available to complete the training.
Determine your goal
Determine your goal before stating commercial chicken farming business. You need to have a clear and right goal to be successful in this business. Determine what you want from this business and set perfect strategies for achieving your goal. Hard working and your dedication is the main way to achieve your goal.
Make a good business plan
Making a good and effective chicken farming business plan is very important. Because, a good and effective step by step business plan helps to run your business perfectly. So, try to make a very good and effective business plan before starting your business, and do everything according to the plan. Try to include everything in your business plan from starting to operating and marketing. You can either prepare the business plan yourself or ask for help from an expert within your area.
Select good location
Selecting a good location is another very important part of starting commercial chicken farming business. All the locations are not good for commercial chicken farming business. So, you have to select a very good location for your business with the availability of all required facilities. Always try to select a location which is safe and far from residential areas. Generally, calm and quiet place with relatively less noise is considered as best for raising chickens. Ensure the availability of a market near your site so that you can sell your products and buy necessary tools and supplies. Also ensure the availability of veterinary service in your selected area.
Determine the products you want to produce from your farm
Chickens are raised for many different purposes. But most of the people raise them mainly for meat and eggs production. So, determine the products you want to produce from your farm. You can either produce eggs or meat or even both. Both meat and eggs of chicken have very good demand and value in the market. Try to visit some markets in your area and try to determine the demand and value of meat and eggs.
Choose the system of production
Chickens can be raised in many different methods such as free range, intensive, organic, backyard and battery cage system. Choose the right system for your production.
Select good breeds based on your production purpose
There are numerous chicken breeds available throughout the world. But not all of these breeds are suitable for commercial chicken farming business. And among these breeds some chickens are good for meat production, some are good for milk and some chickens are good for both meat and eggs production purpose. So, choose the breed wisely based on your production purpose.
Make a good house/shelter
Make a good and secure housing environment for your birds with all required facilities. Chickens are very strong and hardy birds and their housing requirements are minimum. Although providing them with good housing facilities is very important to ensure their good health and maximum production. Ensure availability of enough space inside the house depending upon the number of birds. Generally, mature laying chickens require 4-5 square feet housing space, and a broiler chicken will require around 2 square feet space per bird. Ensure good ventilation system inside the house and also ensure flow of enough light and air. Exact measurement of the house can be any depending on the type of your land and number of birds.
Purchase chicken farming equipment
Chicken farming equipment are various tools, machinery and supplies which are especially designed and used in the poultry industry. Some common poultry equipment are coop or cages, incubator, brooders, ventilation systems, health monitoring tools, feeder, waterer, heater, laying nests, egg handling cages, fencing, and flooring.
Purchase chicks
Purchase good quality, healthy and active chicks. You can purchase chick from any of your nearest hatcheries/chick suppliers . Don’t compromise with the quality of the chicks and always try to purchase good quality and healthy chicks. If possible, try to learn more about the breeding history and health condition of the breeding parents.
Take good care of the chicks
Good starting of the chicks ensures good growth and maximum production. Setup the brooder perfectly before bringing the chicks. Maintain appropriate temperature inside the brooder and try to provide them with good quality starter feed. Also ensure access to enough clean and fresh drinking water as per their demand.
Take good care of the growing chickens
Taking good care of the growing chickens is also very important. Provide the growing chickens with enough good quality grower feeds to ensure maximum growth. Monitor their health on a regular basis and vaccinate them timely.
Feed the chickens nutritious food
Providing the chickens with very good quality and nutritious food is the most important part of commercial chicken farming business. Because, feeding the chickens with very good quality food ensures good health, proper growth and high production. You can feed your chickens with ready-made or commercial chicken feeds.
Ensure access to fresh and clean water
Along with providing the chickens with very good quality and nutritious food, provide them with enough clean and fresh drinking water as per their demand. Keeping the chickens hydrated is very important, especially during the summer months. Always keep the waterer filled with water.
Practice good breeding management
Chickens are naturally very good breeders. They will breed easily if you keep good ratio of hens and roosters in your flock. Generally, one mature rooster is enough for breeding around or up to 10 hens. You need to be conscious about breeding only if you want to produce fertile eggs for hatching purpose. If you want to avoid this part, then you have to purchase chicks from hatcheries.
Learn about chicken diseases and their control
You have to learn about many chicken diseases and health problems and learn how to control them. Some common chicken diseases are Newcastle, chicken pox, gumboro, cholera, coccidiosis etc.
Caring the productive chickens
Always try to take good care of your productive chickens. Feed them with very good quality and nutritious food. Avoid providing them contaminated foods and polluted water. Make their housing system comfortable and keep them safe from predators. Monitor their health on a regular basis. Vaccinate them timely and always keep good contact with a vet in your area. And ask a vet immediately if you notice anything uncommon.
Marketing
Marketing chicken products is very easy and simple. Meat and eggs of chicken are very tasty and nutritious and both have very good demand and value in the market. You will be able to sell your products easily in the local market. So, you don’t have to worry much about marketing your products. Although, we recommend determining your marketing strategies before stating this business.
Calculate total costs and profits
Keep record of all costs from the beginning. And also keep records of income from when you start selling meat or eggs. Finally calculate loss or profits at the last when you sell all the birds. Chicken farming is a profitable business, that’s why it is very popular throughout the world. You will also be able to make good profit from this business if you can manage everything perfectly.
These are the common steps and ways for starting and operating a successful chicken farming business. Commercial chicken production is a profitable business and beginners can also start raising them. Although, we recommend learning about this business practically and then start. Start with a few birds initially, gather knowledge and expand gradually. Hope this guide has helped you. Consider sharing this business plan and starting guide with your friends and family members. Good luck!