How to start poultry farming: 4 things to consider

There are at least four things that are key to answering the question; how to start poultry farming. These are:

1. Type of poultry housing system
2. Capital / financing requirements
3. Target market
4. Applicable livestock laws

The implicit fifth factor would be to consider whether poultry farming in itself is a profitable undertaking. If you are considering commercial poultry farming, consult with local poultry farmers and business advisors to get a clear picture.

It would be unwise to embark on poultry farming without crunching the numbers and determining respective financial viability.

How to start poultry farming: 4 determining factors

Type of poultry housing system

Poultry housing system refers to the manner in which poultry birds are housed. This includes aspects such as access to the outdoors, and feeding or feed type.

There are 4 common poultry housing systems. These are:

• Free range or extensive
• Semi intensive
• Folding unit
• Intensive

Each housing system has its own advantages and disadvantages. At the end of the day, the housing system of your choice could be a matter of personal preference. Other aspects such as access to land, capital availability and so on, will determine the applicable poultry housing system you choose.

Local animal welfare laws, agricultural or livestock and other applicable regulation may also determine what poultry housing systems you can implement in your poultry farm.

Your preferred poultry housing system is a fundamental aspect when deciding how to start poultry farming.

Capital requirements and availability

Different poultry farming types have different capital requirements. For one, commercial poultry farming require greater capital than backyard poultry farming.

Capital also determines access to land or farming property. Essentially, with more capital, the type of poultry farm you set up can be according to your preferences. Without capital you will not have much choice.

Thirdly, capital requirements and availability can determine the flock type you choose for your poultry farming. Layers flocks may require a bigger capital before you are able to generate a turnover. On the other hand, broiler flocks may do with less capital since you can have a flock turnover within weeks.

Lastly but not least, depending on the type of poultry farming you choose to set up, other capital requirements may apply. Say for instance you set up a large commercial poultry farm, you may want to buy an insurance for your flocks.

Additionally, you may find that extra capital is required to cover initial costs for coop construction and set up, chick purchase, and the like. Running costs may by themselves require significant capital as well. For instance, labor costs, utility and other costs can be high.

In a nutshell, ensure that you’ve enough capital to sustain the type of poultry farming you intend to do. If necessary talk to business advisors to ensure you are well prepared financially.

Availability of target market

This goes without saying but you have to consider the availability of your target market for your poultry farm produce.

Say for instance that you set up an organic poultry farm, you will have to consider if there is sufficient demand for such produce? Organic poultry farming will definitely target a different market segment in comparison to conventional poultry farming.

In some cases, depending on the size of your poultry farm, you need to partner with flock suppliers or poultry produce suppliers to access poultry markets. In those cases, your net profit will be determined by the rates set by such parties.

Furthermore, if you’re practicing organic farming, you would have to consider whether you sell your produce individually or need to pay a fee to access organic produce markets.

Depending on your location, it can be significantly cheaper to source poultry feed for conventional poultry farming than organic farming.

Applicable poultry farming laws

This one often gets overlooked. Different livestock and animal welfare laws are applicable to different regions. Furthermore, different poultry farming laws apply depending on the type of poultry farming you practice.

For instance, if you intend to practice intensive poultry housing system, you may find that local laws forbid debeaking. In that case, you can consider poultry housing types where you do not have to debeak your birds. Note that debeaking is already banned in some countries. You can also expect this regulation to apply to more countries and regions in the future.

In addition, produce handling laws and regulation affect or determine the type of poultry faming you practice. For example, egg storage methods and meath handling regulations differ from country to country.

How to start poultry farming

Just get started

There is no blueprint to starting poultry farming. It is simply one of those things that you just have to get started on, after ensuring that you are sufficiently prepared.

Essentially, poultry farming is something you can start with little to no resources. This is especially the case if you want to get started as a backyard poultry farmer.

Learn and keep learning

For a first time poultry farmer, you should learn as much as possible about poultry farming, from credible sources. Such sources can include local poultry farmers, flock suppliers, certified poultry vets and local business advisors.

For your interest, here are 20+ poultry farming blogs that you may consult to learn more about poultry farming. Additionally, you should consider following other farmers on social media, to connect with and learn from fellow poultry farmers.

Lastly but not least, consider attending local poultry farming training and demo events. You can learn more about modern and effective poultry farming practices applicable to your farm.

Keep poultry records

Effective poultry farming requires poultry record keeping. Poultry records enable you to understand your flock performance over time. It is from such records that you can also have and effective way to determine the financial viability of poultry farming.

Keeping poultry records requires a data logging strategy. There are various ways by which you can keep poultry records. Additionally, you may consider several poultry management apps out there for the purpose.

Poultry records will enable you to practice data based poultry farming. First and foremost, poultry records will enable you to eliminate guesswork, and give you an in depth understanding of your chicken.

Mitigate for challenges in poultry farming

You will experience various challenges in poultry farming. These will vary in their severity and mitigation measures. In order to plan for and effectively mitigate for challenges in poultry farming, it is best to be prepared.

Firstly, for matters related to law, seek and implement all relevant and applicable regulatory guidelines and requirements. In addition, for biosecurity matters and disease control measures, consult your flock supplier and certified poultry vets. Last but not least, for business challenges, do your due diligence, talk to respective business advisors and have a sound plan how to mitigate for them.