Starting a chicken farming business is not as easy as simply getting a few chickens and putting them into a coop. As with any other business, chicken farming requires research, marketing and a business plan for its success to become viable.
Chicken Farming Business Plan
- Before even starting the business plan it’s important to contact your local city hall to make sure there are not any special rules or ordinances that may prevent you from having a chicken farm on your property. They will also be able to tell you if there is a limit to the number of chickens you may have, or if there are any restrictions on different breeds of chickens.
- Write a summary of your business and how you envision it to work and prosper. This information will help you collect ideas and put the plan into perspective.
- Collect and list all of your financial information such as financial records, bank statements, tax records and other asset information. Include names and contact information for the different financial institutions that hold your financial accounts.
- Develop a marketing plan. Marketing is very important in the success of your business. Decide how and where you plan to market your business and allocate a budget dedicated specifically to marketing.
- Develop a five, ten and fifteen year plan that depicts your projected earnings and costs. This is especially important if you are planning on seeking financial support from banks or investors. This will also give you an idea of the feasibility of starting the business as well as goals to work towards to help you stay on track.
How To Start Poultry Farming
- Research as much as possible the different types of chickens. Not all chickens are alike and knowing which ones produce the most eggs, are best suited for your particular climate and environment, and the temperaments of the chickens will help you to build a more successful farm.
- Different types and breeds of chickens will need different types of feeds as well. Visit feed shops and veterinarians to discover which types of chicken feed will be the best and healthiest for the chickens you plan to raise.
- Once you have decided on the breed of chickens you’d like to raise you will need to construct a chicken coop. The coop needs to be large enough to house all of the chickens comfortably while providing them with the protection they need from predators and the elements.
- Roosters are another important factor in the success of a chicken farm. Roosters help to protect the chickens from predators; however they are also aggressive and very territorial. Do a research to see how many roosters are advised for the number of chickens you will have in a coop. Too many roosters will cause fights and disruptions within the chicken coop.
- Visit different veterinarians in your area until you find one that you are comfortable with and that you think is knowledgeable about chickens and chicken farming. It is important to have regular checkups from the veterinarian to be sure that the chickens are healthy and free from disease.