• benjamin

Poultry farming is the raising of domestic birds for meat or eggs. It is a popular and growing industry worldwide, offering a number of advantages to those who choose to pursue it.

In the heart of Africa, there are many poultry farmers who have not only changed their own lives but also contributed to the sustenance and prosperity of their communities. Today, we embark on a journey to learn the secrets of their success and uncover the invaluable lessons they\’ve picked up along the way.

There are many reasons why people are drawn to poultry farming. Some of the most common reasons include:

1. Financial opportunities and profitability:

A wise man once said, \”Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.\”

This rings true for Samuel, a poultry farmer from Nigeria. Samuel grew up in a humble family that depended on farming for their livelihood. Realising the potential in poultry farming, he decided to take the plunge. He shares,

\”I started with just 50 chickens in my backyard. It was tough at first, but I was determined to make it work.\”

Samuel\’s determination and consistent efforts bore fruit. Today, he operates a thriving poultry farm with thousands of chickens, supplying eggs and meat to local markets.

Poultry farming can be a very profitable business venture, with the potential to generate significant income. You just have to put in determination and consistent efforts to thrive.

2. Flexibility in operations and scaling:

Poultry farming is a relatively flexible business that can be scaled to any size. Farmers can start small and gradually expand their operations as they gain experience and expertise.

A great example of this is Aisha Jalaludeen, a 26 year old successful poultry farmer in Nigeria. Aisha started her home poultry with about three chickens after she obtained a small loan from her husband.

She proceeded to buy 50 more. The rest is history. With two more poultry annexes, Aisha employed a young man to whom she pays N3000 monthly. Apart from being a reliable supplier of live chicken in her neighbourhood, Aisha also processes live chicken for those who prefer frozen poultry.

Today, Aisha\’s poultry farm is one of the largest in the country. Read her full story here

Farmers can start small and invest in a few birds to test the waters. Once they have gained some experience and proven that they can be profitable, they can then expand their operations and increase their production.

3. Personal satisfaction: 

Poultry farming can be a personally rewarding experience, allowing farmers to raise their own animals and provide nutritious food to their community.

While poultry farming can be a very rewarding business, it is important to note that it is not without its challenges. Farmers need to be prepared for a variety of challenges, such as disease outbreaks, fluctuating market prices, and competition from other farmers.

It is therefore essential for aspiring poultry farmers to have the proper guidance and strategies in place to succeed. This includes conducting thorough research, developing a business plan, and investing in quality training and resources.

Understanding the Industry:

One common thread among successful poultry farmers is their commitment to continuous learning. David, a farmer from Kenya, emphasised the value of knowledge.

\”I thought I knew everything about poultry farming until I attended a local agricultural workshop. The insights I gained there were invaluable.\”

In a recent round of training conducted by Pullus Africa team in Kaduna State Nigeria tagged \”Free Poultry Training for Cluster farmers in Kaduna\”

we realised some of the mistakes Farmers make due to negligence and lack of knowledge that has caused them a great harm in their business. We were able to open their eyes and expose them to these issues and how to tackle them. 

A. Different Types of Poultry Farming (Meat vs. Egg Production)

There are two main types of poultry farming: meat production and egg production.

Meat production poultry farmers raise birds for their meat. This type of poultry farming typically involves raising broilers, which are chickens that are bred to grow quickly and reach slaughter weight within a few weeks.

Unlike broilers, which are raised for their meat and slaughtered within a few weeks, egg production poultry farmers raise laying hens for their eggs. Laying hens typically start laying eggs around 18 weeks of age and continue to lay for 18 months to 2 years. This means that egg production poultry farmers must provide their hens with a longer-term care and management plan.

B. Market Demand and Trends: 

The demand for poultry products is high and growing worldwide. This is due to a number of factors, such as population growth, rising incomes, and changing dietary habits.

The global poultry market is expected to reach $1.2 trillion by 2028, driven by increasing demand for poultry products in developing countries, such as China and India.

This growth is also being seen in Africa, where Nigeria is the largest poultry market, accounting for about 20% of the continent\’s total poultry consumption.

In Nigeria, the poultry sector is a $4.2 billion industry and a growing market with the demands for eggs and meat projected to reach 1.3 million tonnes by 2025 (Source:AgroBericht)

Planning Your Poultry Farm:

Success in poultry farming is not just about rearing chickens; it\’s about building a strong foundation, both literally and metaphorically. This is what Leticia, a successful poultry farmer from Ghana, learned the hard way. She recalls her initial struggles:

\”I didn\’t pay enough attention to the infrastructure. My chicken coop was flimsy, and it caused a lot of problems, especially during the rainy season\”

Leticia\’s story highlights the importance of proper planning and investment in infrastructure. Over time, she rebuilt her farm, creating a safer and more productive environment for her birds.

That brings us to the question;

What are the steps involved in planning your poultry farm?

A. Conducting a Feasibility Study

You\’re a small-scale farmer and you\’re thinking about starting a poultry farm. You\’re not sure if it\’s a good idea, though. You\’ve heard that it can be a lot of work, and you\’re worried about the costs.

So, what do you do?

The first step is to conduct a feasibility study. This means gathering information and evaluating the pros and cons of starting a poultry farm.

Simple ways on how you can conduct feasibility study:

1. Talk to other poultry farmers. Ask them about their experiences. What are the challenges and rewards of poultry farming? What are the startup costs? What are the ongoing costs?
2. Research the market. How much demand is there for poultry products in your area? What are the current prices?
3. Visit local poultry farms. Get a sense of what it takes to run a successful poultry farm. What kind of equipment do you need? What kind of facilities do you need?
4. Create a business plan. This will help you to outline your goals and objectives, as well as your financial projections.

Once you have gathered all of this information, you can start to make an informed decision about whether or not to start a poultry farm.

B. Determining Suitable Farm Size and Location:

The size of your poultry farm will depend on a number of factors, such as your budget, the type of poultry you want to raise, and your target market.

If you are just starting out, it is advisable to start small. This will allow you to learn the ropes and gain experience without making a major investment. As you gain experience and expertise, you can then expand your operations.

The location of your poultry farm is also important. You need to choose a location that is suitable for poultry farming and that has access to essential resources, such as water and feed.

Infrastructure and Equipment

A. Housing and Shelter Requirements:

Poultry need a safe and comfortable place to live. The housing and shelter requirements for poultry vary depending on the type of poultry you are raising and the climate in your area.

However, there are some general requirements that all poultry housing must meet. These include:

• Adequate ventilation: Poultry need fresh air to breathe. The housing should be well-ventilated to prevent the buildup of ammonia and other harmful gases.
• Adequate space: In livestock farming, floor space is very important. For instance, floor spacing is one of the factors or things that affect growth performance as well as the general welfare of livestock animals. Broilers, for example, will perform poorly if they are kept in overcrowded pens or houses. For laying birds (layers), the growth, laying and health performance would be greatly affected. So a farmer or keeper needs to put the space requirements into serious consideration when planning the design and size of the pen where your flock will be kept, especially broilers.

Some of the Problems associated with inadequate floor space for broilers include:

1. Overcrowding, Unequal feeding and deprivation of the smaller or weak Chickens.
2. Stunted or poor growth
3. Poor health 
4. Poor feed conversion
5. Mortality due to heat stress
6. Increased cases of bullying.
7. Cannibalism.
8. Rapid disease spread
9. Incessant wetness of the litter
10. Ammonia build-up, Stuffy

• Cleanliness: Poultry housing must be kept clean and free of manure and other debris. This will help to prevent the spread of disease.
• Temperature control: Birds need a comfortable temperature range in order to thrive. The ideal temperature range will vary depending on the age of the birds. For example, The ideal temperatures for chicks- 7 days or younger is 35°C, Week 2 is 32°C, Week 3 is 29°C. Each week declines by five degrees until chicks are ready to live outside. while older broilers need a temperature of 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important to monitor the temperature in your broiler house regularly to ensure that it is within the ideal range. You can use a thermometer to measure the temperature and make adjustments as needed.
• Lighting: Broilers need a certain amount of light in order to eat, drink, and grow properly. The amount of light required will vary depending on the age of the birds. For example, young chicks need 18 hours of light per day, while older broilers need 16 hours of light per day. The intensity of the light should also be considered. Broilers prefer a dim, even light. Bright lights can cause stress and lead to feather pecking and other behavioural problems.

B. Procuring necessary equipment and facilities:

The next step is to procure the necessary equipment and facilities for your poultry farm. This will include things like housing, feeders, drinkers, and ventilation systems. The specific equipment that you need will vary depending on the type of poultry you are raising and the scale of your operation.

It is important to choose high-quality equipment that is durable and easy to clean. This will help to ensure the health and welfare of your birds.

Sourcing Birds and Feed

Once you have the necessary equipment and facilities in place, you need to source birds and feed.

A. Selecting the right breed:

There are many different breeds of poultry available, so it is important to select the right breed for your needs. Consider factors such as the climate in your area, the type of products you want to produce, and the amount of space you have available.

For example: The Hubbard breed is better suited to humid weather conditions than the Arbor Acre breed. Hubbard chickens are known for their heat tolerance and ability to thrive in tropical climates. They are also more resistant to parasites and diseases, which is important in humid environments.

Arbor Acre chickens, on the other hand, are more suited to temperate climates. They are more susceptible to heat stress and disease in humid conditions.

B. Ensuring proper nutrition and feed management:

Proper nutrition is essential for the health and productivity of your poultry. You need to provide your birds with a balanced diet that meets all of their nutritional needs.

There are a variety of different poultry feeds available, so you can choose the one that is right for your birds and your budget. It is important to follow the feeding instructions carefully to avoid overfeeding or underfeeding your birds.

Imagine saving money on feed and getting up to 2kg weight in less than 6 weeks, just by feeding and watering your birds the perfect amount every day. You can achieve this using the Pullus BATCH INFO feature. Sign up on Pullus App to TRY IT OUT!

Marketing and Sales Strategies

Once your poultry farm is up and running, you need to develop marketing and sales strategies.

A. Identifying target audience and market niche:

The first step is to identify your target audience and market niche.

Who are you trying to sell your products to? What are their needs and preferences?

Once you have identified your target audience and market niche, you can develop marketing strategies to reach them. This may include attending trade shows, word-of-mouth marketing. To get a better result, Learn how to unlock new markets, expand sales and make enough money in your poultry business.

B. Promoting and selling poultry products:

There are a variety of different ways to promote and sell poultry products. You can sell directly to consumers, to restaurants, or to food processors. You can also sell your chickens directly to Market off-takers and make more profit on Pullus App once you Sign up here.

Becoming a successful poultry farmer requires hard work and dedication, but it is a rewarding and profitable business. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can increase your chances of success.