Do you need a complete information about poultry farming in South Africa? You are at the right place at the right time.
Welcome to South Africa Insider. This is a complete guide on anything you need to know about starting a poultry farm in SA.
This guide also includes:
- Requirements for poultry farming
- Types of poultry farming
- Poultry farming techniques
- Profitability of poultry farm
- And many more
If you are a beginner or have already started the poultry farm business, you will definitely find this information very useful. Kindly do share it to family and friends who have intentions of staring this business.
Let’s get started.
Poultry Farming Basics
Let’s get some things right before we go to the steps in starting a poultry farm.
What is poultry farming?
It simply means raising different types of domestic birds in a commercial scale purposely for meat and or egg production.
Types of poultry farming
A lot of people actually think poultry farming is only about raising only chicks. However, it is a broader niche. This post only focuses on raising chickens. Other types of poultry you can raise in your farm include:
- Geese
- Ducks
- Turkeys
- Quail
- Guinea fowl
Is poultry farming profitable in South Africa?
Generally, poultry farming comes with high returns within a specified period of time if everything is done the right way.
The demand of poultry products in South Africa is always in high demand. The poultry farming industry in SA is worth more than R27 billion and continues to grow each year.
This is a clear indication that poultry farming is a booming business every individual can enter into.
Choosing a poultry sector
You are required to choose from two types: the broilers and layers. Although you can go ahead and farm both broilers and layers. But as a beginner, it is important to start with one in order to build experience and expertise before you expand.
Successful poultry farms in South Africa are into either of the following
- Meat production
- Egg production
- Incubating and raising chicks
Writing a business plan
Like any other business, writing a business plan before starting up is a very crucial step every farmer needs to take. If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.
A business plan serves as a road map leading you to success in poultry farming.
A carefully written poultry farm business plan should have the following:
- Objectives
- Mission
- Location and facilities
- Production process
- Market research and analysis
- Startup expenses
- Marketing strategy
- Swot analysis
If you are able to craft a poultry farm business plan in regards to the list above, you are good to go.
However, if you can’t write one. WE CAN WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN FOR YOU AT A FEE.
Startup capital
How much is involved to startup a poultry farm in South Africa? You need to make a budget of all the expenses needed to commence a successful poultry farm.
If you are planning to start a small-scale backyard poultry farming starting with very few chicks, you may need minimum capital as compared to a large-scale project.
Since you are starting as small-scale poultry farmer you need to start with about 10 birds or less kept in cages at the backyard of your house.
This won’t cost you much. Speak to other local farmers on how much you’ll need to start up a backyard poultry farm.
Going Forward
After getting all the basics right, the step by step guide below will take you through.
Choose a location
Getting space or land can be a daunting task. You can however, start from a backyard space.
You can choose a place slightly far from town which has available labour and relatively cheaper.
Don’t set up your farm in a residential area due to the bad odour poultry farms produce.
Lastly, do consider transportation and availability of water at the place.
Constructing a structure for the birds
There are several types of poultry housing system you can consider. The common poultry housing in South Africa are:
- Deep litter system
- Battery cage system
- Free range system
Which one you’ll choose actually depends on your financial strength. The recommended one is the deep litter system. Battery cage systems are more expensive.
Equipment needed for poultry farming
Below is a list of basic items need to start your farm.
- Feeders
- Waste disposal system
- Crates
- Brooders or heaters
- Good ventilation system
- Egg trays
- Incubators
- Cages
- Nests
- Waterers
- Lightening instruments
- Perches
- Coops
Growing chicks
Buying the chicks
After completing the structure, getting all the required equipment, what is next?
You need to get chicks to stock the farm and start growing them.
Purchase quality chicks from renowned breeders in your locality. Start with day old chicks and grow them overtime.
Raising the birds
Much work is involved here. The least least mistake made here can actually ruin your business. Paying attention in raising your birds is very important.
Once you’ve stocked your poultry farm structure with the chicks it is time to care for them by feeding them, providing them with adequate light and giving them the required medications for maximum protection.
Feeding is also cost intensive; it takes about 50% of your total project expenses.
Success in your poultry farm business depends on the quality of feeds you give your chicks.
Poultry feed can be prepared by self or bought from feed producers. If you are a beginner, it is recommended that you buy already made feed to save yourself the stress of preparing feed.
Health management
Managing your chicken’s health poultry means the following.
- Vaccinate them on time
- Provide fresh feed
- Provide fresh water
- Clean their house periodically
Sale and Marketing your products
The part of the market large amount of eggs should be supplied to are the industries that need eggs. They are bakeries, restaurants, boarding schools, home delivery food centers, retail shops and supermarkets.
Another part of the target market that will order poultry products in medium quantities are the homes that will require home deliver. Homes generally utilize eggs in the preparation of edibles like chicken burger, chicken pie, salads, Scotch egg, omelets, egg soup.
Now we would like to hear from you. Leave your comments below and let us discuss poultry farming in South Africa. Share some experiences with us if you are an existing farmer. Thanks for reading from here.
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