It takes more than just agricultural know-how to run a chicken farm.If you want to be a chicken farmer, you have to think like a business person.Chicken farming involves choosing a focus, establishing a brand, raising chickens, and building a business.You will be able to grow your business as your farm grows.
Step 1: If you want to work with egg production, make an egg-laying farm.
Egg-laying or meat production are the two main categories of chicken farms.If you want to work with hens and sell farm-fresh eggs, choose egg-laying as your focus.Some chicken farms handle both meat production and egg-laying.If you want, you can choose this option, but it may require more equipment and labor.
Step 2: If you want to process meat, create a meat production farm.
If you're comfortable butchering and processing chickens, you can make a lot of money in meat production.You can make a meat production farm if you want to raise chickens for meat.The potential for higher revenue is due to the fact that farmers can use every part of the chicken when selling their products.
Step 3: If you want, choose a specialty niche for your business.
Chicken farms that have a specialization set them apart from their competitors.Egg or meat processing, marketing poultry products, and chicken breeding are some of the niches you can choose from if you decide to create a meat production or egg-laying farm.
Step 4: Pick a breed that is compatible with your farming goals.
Chicken breeds are not the same.Some are best for meat production and some for egg production.Pick a chicken breed that is best for your niche.If you would like to start an egg-laying farm, you may want to choose a layer breed like Rhode Island Red, Hamburg, or Sussex chickens.There is a list of popular chicken breeds at Chickenbreedslist.com.
Step 5: There is a location close to your city's limits.
Staying near a city is useful for transportation because you can't always start a farm in your backyard.If you want to drive to or from it on a daily basis, buy land outside of your town or city's limits.The land will be cheaper if you move further from your city or town.If you can't find land near the city, look for land in the countryside.
Step 6: A bachelor's degree in agriculture or business is required.
Most farm owners finish an undergraduate degree first.If your college offers a niche major like farm administration or poultry science, you'll be prepared for a career in chicken farming.Adding a business minor to agriculture or poultry science will allow you to take classes on marketing, leadership, and other topics.If you don't have time for a traditional four-year degree, you can get your degree online.
Step 7: A business plan is needed.
Write an outline for how you plan to run your chicken farm and what your long-term goals are.Information like your history, structure, objectives, vision, products, target demographic, and marketing strategy are included in the plan.Once you've written the outline, review it with an established farmer or business advisor and revise your plan based on their suggestion.You could include your plans for raising and butchering chickens, revenue goals, and marketing your poultry products in stores if you are running a meat production farm.Business plans can be used to attract investors or business partners.
Step 8: You can apply.
You can schedule an appointment with your local bank if you don't have enough money for your supplies.Discuss your financial history, business goals, and monetary needs with the loan advisor to apply for and secure a loan.Bring a business outline, evidence of your credit history, pay stubs, and anything else requested by the bank to your meeting.You need a loan for the minimum amount of equipment and chickens.As your business grows, you can get a larger loan.
Step 9: Purchase everything you need for your chicken farm.
If you're running an egg-laying or meat production farm, the type of equipment you need will depend on that.Purchase the necessary equipment at an agricultural supply store.
Step 10: Do you want to hire laborers for your farm?
The amount of manpower you need depends on the size of the farm.You should be able to run the farm by yourself if you have less than 200 birds.If you want to grow your farm, you may need more help.You don't have to pay workers until your chicken farm is successful if you start with a small farm.
Step 11: Chickens can be housed in cages or coops.
Chickens need shelter from the elements.Depending on how many chickens you're housing, you can buy or build a chicken house or cage.Chickens can be housed in a 3 sq ft (0.28 m) cage.Chickens can spread diseases if the chicken cage is dirty.
Step 12: The chicks should be raised.
Buy chicks from a breeder after setting up your equipment.Before you add more to your business, buy no more than 500 chickens.
Step 13: You should feed your chickens daily.
Feed your chickens once a day with chicken feed from a pet or agricultural supply store.Feed your chickens 3.5 ounces of chicken feed a day to keep them healthy.If you want to give chickens corn, halved grapes, or cabbage as a treat, but don't feed them more than several times a week, it's less healthy than chicken feed.
Step 14: Bring chickens to the vet.
Chickens are prone to diseases and should be inspected regularly for illnesses or pests.Hire a vet to diagnose and treat your chickens if you notice any problems with their appearance or behavior.
Step 15: For future reference, write down your sales and production records.
To make sure that your business is making money, keep a log of your sales, growth, and losses on a spreadsheet.Make goals to cut back on costs and earn more money if you are losing money.Shop around with different suppliers to find cheaper chicken feed if you notice you're spending too much.If you want to keep your records organized, you can hire an accountant or financial advisor.
Step 16: There is a market.
It's important to market your business during the first few years in order to get more customers and make more money.To promote your business, you need to create ads, make business cards, create a website, and send newsletters.If you want to improve your marketing tactics, you should hire a marketing consultant.Visibility for your brand can be provided by the creation of a logo.
Step 17: Don't forget to connect with other farming businesses.
Meeting other farmers can help spread the word about your farm.You can reach out to other farming companies in your area by attending agricultural conferences.If you need to hire more workers, look for people with years of experience in poultry farming.
Step 18: If you want to grow your business, apply for more loans.
If necessary, apply for bigger loans after you've established your farm.If you want to finance your business in a different way, you can apply to business lenders or investors who are known for financing agricultural businesses.If you're running a chicken breeding farm, you may want a loan to buy better egg incubators.