Factors to consider in poultry production

Mhlupeki Dube Farming Issues
IT is very common these days to see a lot of smallholder farmers queuing at chick supplying shops around the city.
These farmers are targeting the festive season when there is a general increase in spending tendencies of people.A tradition which has stood the test of hyperinflation. In this regard I thought it is important to share some notes on factors to consider when starting a poultry production unit.

Broilers or layers?

You have to decide on whether you want to rear layers or broilers. Layers are usually raised for laying eggs but if you prefer to opt for meat production then you would need broilers. Whether broilers or layers, farmers need to learn to get their chicks from reputable suppliers not just pedestrian suppliers who are of no fixed abode.

Broiler or layers chicks cannot be sold like airtime and tomatoes. This is what results in farmers getting chicks which remain stunted in spite of consuming large quantities of feed.

Start-up Capital Investment

The poultry farming business is capital intensive and this depends 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 $500 and $1 500. A medium scale poultry farm may require $2 000 to $5 000 and a large scale poultry farm may require a start-up capital of $10 000 and above. While the start-up capital is obviously gobbled by construction of the housing units and the related equipment and appliances required for a poultry unit, it is important to realise that 70 percent of recurrent costs will be coming from the feed. Feed generally takes the highest chunk of the budget and this is usually the show stopper to many smallholder farmers. It is thus important to figure out where one will get the money to buy the feed before blindly going into the venture as this can take your blood pressure a few notches above normal when the feeders run dry and there is nothing in the storeroom.

Housing your birds

This is an important factor to consider in poultry production. A good housing system is very important poultry farming. Most smallholder famers just use makeshift housing which has poor ventilation and weak security system. Poor housing units can result in high mortalities especially in subsequent batches as they tend to have cracks and crevices that habour pathogens. The housing unit should be constructed in such a way that it does not have unnecessary cracks to allow pathogens and predators. Also the housing should have sufficient ventilation to allow for cooling and fresh air within the unit.

However there is need to guard against excessive draughts as these can cause mortalities especially in young birds.

Poultry equipment and appliances

The following equipment may be needed for a poultry farm: feeders, drinkers, perches, nests, lighting system, waste disposal system, heaters or brooders, egg tray. The list is not exhaustive and it also covers both layers and broilers. While smallholder farmers usually improvise for some of the equipment, it is important to work towards getting the right equipment for the right purpose.

Accounting

Poultry farming is just like any other commercial business, and to track performance and productivity, adequate records must be kept. You don’t need to have an accounting background or spend hours on record keeping or accounting for your farm but have a basic system that helps track expenses and income.

Health

Birds need regular check-up. They need proper vaccines and medications to prevent diseases and promote growth. It is important to always keep antibiotics especially if the farm is far from urban centres. Consult a veterinary officer or extension worker to check on your farming.

Marketing

Another factor to give consideration to is marketing. Farmers have to find a way to reach your customers and this would be done by employing the right marketing techniques.

Therefore, starting a poultry business, farmers should consider the marketing strategies. If possible it is good and less stressful to have a commitment or guarantee from a potential buyer such that when the broilers have matured there is a ready market. One important aspect about the market is that your production unit should be closer to the market so that you minimise on transport cost. However this is not always possible as smallholder farmers are dotted all over the country. Trying to sell broilers from some far rural area without electricity can be a real nightmare. I have first-hand experience trying to sell my mother maKhumalo’s lot from Mzola in Lupane, we almost ate the whole batch ourselves!

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